Chapter 81: Marinah

With the island's reduction in hellhounds, mice and other small rodents are more abundant. The hounds killed everything living they could sink their teeth into, causing a huge reduction in our small animal inhabitants. Now that's changing again, and the eco system is improving. In our new turbulent world, we have no idea how long this will last, and we're taking advantage as best we can. Our food production has doubled, and we're hoping to have a good crop for long-term storage after harvest.

I turn my head at a noise about a hundred yards away that doesn't fit the nightlife. The area in question is too dense to see into, but I figure the sound of ringing metal is a clue and the dynamic duo are near. From the corner of my eye, I catch King adjusting his leather straps. Before I object, he shifts.

"You did that on purpose when I wasn't looking," I whisper. King doesn't control his Beast form in the first hour or so after shifting, and it's usually me that uses my Beast form if we need