Wolves of the Wood

Everyone in Ignir Valley knew of the wolves, the werewolves who prowled deep in the forests, who once a month shed their human forms to be the creatures they were within. And every woman knew that those without husbands and a few with them could find company on a full moon. The werewolves were voracious for many things, flesh, specifically, but there was another appetite of theirs that they sought to sate. And there were many women, and if you believe the rumours, some men, who yearned to sate the hunger of the wolves of the wood.

Tonight, I would be one of those women.

To venture out on a full moon was suspect at the best of times, and tonight was no different. My family was wary as I took a basket and filled it with bread and apples, "I worry about grandmother, she can hardly take care of herself," I said as I donned a cloak.

My Father, a smith, looked at me with suspicion, "she won't perish of hunger in a night, let her rest and visit her in the morning."

"I'm helping Mother with the wash tomorrow," I offered, my heart racing and the crackle of the hearth filling the silence in our home.

"It's a full moon, Ethel, I don't want you out while those things are prowling about."

I smiled, "Father, we both know the wolves prefer wild prey."

My Father, curse him, shook his head, "there's a lot worse they can do to you than hunt you," he warned. Oh I was grateful that he hadn't suspected my intent.

"I'll be careful," I insisted.

He finally relented, "do make sure to not get lost, and for God's sake bring someone with you."

"I'll be travelling with Ingrid, she has family in Pinefall Village and we're going together." It was an indignity to live at home and be treated as a child when I was already nineteen summers old and eager for the fruits of adulthood, but without a husband where else could I stay? So I remained.

He nodded, "very well, you're intent on doing this, just... be careful."

I smiled as disarmingly as I could and headed for the door of the cabin my family lived in. I lit a torch and stepped into the darkness.

Ingrid was indeed travelling with me. She was my age, and we'd been friends since we could walk. But compared to my fair brown hair and modest features she was fit to be married to royalty. Her hair was fine, her body slim, and she had a voice like an angel's. Her beauty did come at a cost, she turned her nose up at every man in the village. To be fair, there was none among them who could rouse desires in women the way she stoked the fire in men.

She like I, was in a cloak and simple clothes, we had a journey ahead of us to reach the druid's circle. "Ethel, I hope you're right about this," she said as I approached her cabin and our eyes met.

I smiled knowingly, "My Mother shared with me a secret over a few glasses of vodka, we'll be safe, I am sure of it."

Ingrid looked at me inquisitively, "and how can you be so sure?"

"Because she'd partaken in her youth, before I was born, before she'd married my Father. The wolves will welcome us most eagerly and let us leave with fond memories and sore nethers."

Ingrid shuddered, "God above I need this, my maidenhood deserves the best, no man here is worthy of it."

We began walking toward the village gate as we talked, keeping our voices hushed as we passed each cabin. Only when we'd passed the village gate and were in the wilds proper did we dare speak openly.

"My Mother says they are insatiable," I gushed, "that she was sore for a week after and no man could compare since that night."

Ingrid let out a low moan as we watched the road for highwaymen and wolves of the mundane kind. We heard the howls of wolves on the horizon as we ventured further from our village and Ingrid and I looked at each other, half afraid, half excited. Were they beckoning us?

We were an hour from the village by now and our sense of direction was useless in the dark. We followed the foot beaten path until we found what we were looking for. A small path leading into the woods was before us, and standing at the foot of that path was a woman about Mother's age. She was dressed like us, not wearing anything she wouldn't mind being torn off her. Her hair was blonde and her frame carried the weight of age, yet there was a youthful spark to her features.

There was no doubt that we had come to this path for the same reason, yet she was standing still at the foot, unsure of herself. I cleared my throat, "good tidings," I greeted. The woman smiled and nodded to us.

"Good tidings to you as well," she said, "do not mind me, I am just remembering the way to the nearest village-"

I stood confidently the way only a woman on a quest could, "we seek wolven company, I believe we are after the same thing, there is no need to deceive."

The woman relaxed, "I see," she said, "I am Fleur, the woods are dangerous, may we journey to the druid's circle together?"

I looked at Ingrid and she shrugged, "Company wouldn't hurt," she said simply. Fleur smiled and joined us as we all crossed the threshold onto the wooded path.

Ingrid spoke first as we walked through the thick forest, "tell me Fleur, how were you able to evade your husband? Surely he noticed your departure on this... suspect night."

Fleur sighed, "My husband rests now, he always rests, he was stricken dead by the kick of a horse last winter."

Ingrid paused, "I see..." she said as she looked at Fleur, "my condolences."

Fleur nodded, "I've mourned, I've spoken to his grave, but a woman has needs and the stories of the wolves promise much."

I groaned audibly, "they have indeed," I said as I imagined it, my Mother was not modest in her description of the wolves, their seven-foot frames, their thick coarse fur, their clawed paws gripping her... vodka brought her innermost secrets tumbling out.

Ingrid was quiet for a spell as we walked, her face etched with that subtle worry I'd learned to spot on her. It was the look she wore when she was torn. I smiled at her, "Ingrid, dear, you seem nervous." I said.

Ingrid let out a frustrated sigh, "I still have my maidenhood, I am eager, do not think that I am not, but... my future husband will know that I was not chaste if I do this."

Fleur chuckled, "dear," she began, "a man claims he wants a pure virgin, but all yearn for a woman who knows what her body can do. Walk boldly toward destiny."

Ingrid smirked, "and does this knowledge come from experience?"

Fleur chuckled loudly, "I served tables at an inn before my husband, I was quite familiar with a man's touch before him. He did not mind that I knew what I was doing."

Ingrid and I shared a surprised look as Fleur continued on, gushing about the notable men of her youth.

"Now Hans was talented but Brogan was gifted, my God was he gifted..." continued Fleur as we stepped carefully through the woods, making sure to follow the path.

"Of the two, who roused you the most?" asked Ingrid with growing enthusiasm for the subject.

Fleur smirked knowingly. "Oh that would go to my husband, of all the men who I bedded, he was the one who left me breathless and yearning for more. I'd seen men with longer swords, thicker swords too, but his passion? By the Lord in heaven he was made for making a woman feel what her body could experience. And after? He was gentle, so gentle with me, never struck me and even helped with the children, believe it or not." she sighed as the weight of his death fell on her shoulders again.

"The Lord certainly takes the good ones early," I lamented.

Fleur shook her head and chuckled, "I tell myself every day that he was taken early because the angels needed a lover worthy of them."

Ingrid bit her lip. "Perhaps when it is my time to reach heaven you would not mind me knowing him in the biblical sense?" she asked.

Fleur chuckled. "We will see," she teased

"Is the druid's circle close?" I asked as we walked in total darkness, "we've been walking for some time."

Ingrid breathed in. "Lord above don't deny me a wolven lover and leave me to be lost in a forest in the same night. I am worthy of so much more."

"Calm down, Ingrid," I said quickly even as the same thought rolled around my mind.

"Easy for you to say, you've already been bedded, this is my first time."

I glared at Ingrid. "Tell the whole world why don't you?" I hissed.

"We all saw you and Osbert head for the barn during the harvest festival, it's hardly a secret," teased Ingrid.

"You saw that? I thought we were subtle," I pouted.

"Ethel, dear," began Ingrid, "subtlety is not your strongest virtue.

"Lord take me now," I sighed.

Fleur giggled. "Girls, we are intent on being taken by werewolves, there is no time for shame."

I looked at Ingrid and shrugged, "I suppose it is silly to be concerned about propriety when about to offer one's self to the beast men."

The path disappeared beneath us as we walked and we only noticed when we'd already stepped off of it. My heart raced, was this to be our end?

Fleur sighed, "girls, I fear we may have strayed from our promised path." she said as she looked around.

Ingrid stomped on the ground, "this isn't happening, Ethel you naive harlot why did I trust you to lead?" she snapped.

"I followed the path as best I can!" I hissed, "you try navigating by torchlight alone on a path you've never tread."

Fleur sighed. "I suggest we remain still and wait for sunrise, we will miss our wolven lovers but we may be able to find the path in the daylight."

It was a reasonable suggestion and I groaned. "The wise, if uneventful choice," I sighed.

Ingrid looked at my basket. "Do tell me you brought nourishment in that basket."

I smiled despite the disappointment I felt. "Some day old bread and apples," I offered.

"Well we won't starve," sighed Ingrid as she reached into the basket and took out an apple.

There was a snap of a twig behind us and our heads turned to see what had caused it. Two glinting lenses shone in the light of the torch and for the briefest moment I believed we would be consumed by wolves. And not in the way we'd intended. Then the two shining lenses lifted and my heart steadied. It moved towards us, twigs snapping underfoot until the owner of the eyes was revealed by torchlight. A creature of black fur and muscles, of fangs and claws.

A werewolf.

We had heard the stories, even seen a hunter return with one's wolven head. But to see a live one standing before you put the stories to shame. He, and we knew it was a he by the fur covered sheath between his legs, approached us, his lips forming a confident smile. "Quite far from the king's roads," he said calmly.

We all nodded, he chuckled. "If you seek the druid's circle, I can lead you," he offered.

There was a moment when I wanted to call it all off, to ask to be guided to the roads and make the journey to my grandmother's village as I'd told my Father. This? This was what I had ventured into the woods to be claimed by? It was not disappointment that ran through my heart but fear. Could such a creature be gentle?

But my Mother's stories that vodka soaked night rang in my head and I simply nodded, as did Ingrid and Fleur. The werewolf's muzzle smirked and I could see his fangs behind his lips. It would be a trivial matter to finish us off. Yet he'd approached to guide us to the druid's circle.

The werewolf saw our dumbfounded expressions and offered a paw to Fleur, it was massive and dwarfed Fleur's own hand. She hesitantly accepted.

The werewolf surprised us by kneeling down and kissing her hand, even on his knees his eyes were still level with Fleur's. "you all will be most welcome at the circle," he chuckled, "tonight is a particularly indulgent night, peace between clans was made, you will find many willing mates at the circle."

Fleur blushed profusely as the werewolf kissed her hand. "I... I was not prepared for how civilized you speak."

The werewolf gave a confident smile. "We are half men after all," he said as he began walking us towards the path, "but do not fear, we know how to be savage when asked," he snapped his teeth together and let out a low, playful growl to make his point. I may or may not have groaned as he did so.

The druid's circle finally came into view after a short time of following our werewolf guide. And what I saw I will carry to my dying day. Dozens of werewolves crowded around ancient stones, not a surface that wasn't used for carnal intent, and men and women spread around the circle, each one set upon by werewolves. The air was heavy with the scent of sex and the sounds passion, clapping of flesh, moans that echoed in the valley, and snarls and growls that made the hairs on my neck rise.

I was about to take my first step towards the clearing when I felt a furry paw on my shoulder. "A moment," began our werewolf guide.

Had I done something wrong? I looked at the werewolf cautiously. "What is it?" I asked nervously.

The werewolf gestured to the sights of the druid's circle and looked at us all sternly. "All who join the circle must know what they invite on themselves."

As if to accentuate the point I witnessed a woman laying on a flat stone in the centre of the circle and the werewolf on top of her howled out eagerly. By the merciful God in heaven, the seed that spilled from the woman was copious. Our guide nodded to us. "Our seed is strong, if you enter, you enter knowing you may bear a wolven child."

I looked at Ingrid, she didn't look at me, her attention was focused on a woman pressed against a pillar, her werewolf mate thrusting in and out of her as she cried out incoherently. The pleasure, my God the pleasure on her face made me consider it. But was I prepared to bear a werewolf? A werewolf whose Father I would not know? I had no husband to dishonour, but how could I explain my possible pregnancy to my family?

Fleur stepped forward between Ingrid and I and shed her cloak. "I've born children that have grown to be proud men and women," she began as she wrestled with the strings on her clothes. "I do not fear being a new Mother again." With that, her common dress loosened and she pulled it off of her frame.

The werewolf's muzzle formed a smirk as he admired her body, "a proven womb, you will be welcomed most eagerly," he said as Fleur looked up at him. He then looked to Ingrid and I, "what of you?" he asked to Ingrid.

Ingrid looked at me, then looked at the women of the circle and how they writhed in pleasure, not a hole of their bodies spared from werewolves passions. "I-" she began then paused just as quick. "I don't know..." she admitted as she held herself.

The werewolf nodded, "you are welcome to remain, but do not enter the threshold of the circle, all who enter must be willing." Then his amber eyes were on me. "Now... what say you?"

What would I say? My body yearned to experience such ecstasies but my mind knew the cost of that experience. Was I prepared to bear a wolven child? I would have to find a husband soon after to hide the origin of the child, a bastard alone would make me a loose woman, a bastard wolven child would make me a sullied woman without redemption.

But my God, what I saw gave me pause. The women who'd made this bargain looked pleased, and it wasn't assured that I would bear a child... Was I willing to wager on this chance for the sake of pleasure?

Then a woman moaned out for more and her mouth was quickly claimed by a werewolf's shaft. This woman I did not know closed her eyes in bliss and allowed her mouth to be used by her wolven lover. He thrust into her mouth as her womanhood was claimed by another, the sight of it left me without words and my nerves shattered.

At first I dared not speak of what I wanted, I simply reached for the back of my dress and undid the knot. The werewolf watched me intently as I finally got my cloak and dress off and looked at him. "I... I will risk it," I said to him.

Ingrid watched Fleur and I, naked in the moonlight and the promise of supernatural pleasure awaiting us. On some level I knew that she'd made the safe choice, but when I looked at what was promised I knew I'd chosen something more than safe, I'd chosen myself.

In the steps between the clearing and the circle the werewolf who'd guided us placed a paw on Fleur's back. "My name is Yolund," he said simply.

Fleur looked up at Yolund, "I didn't think you'd care if I knew your name?" she said in surprise.

Yolund chuckled. "How else are you going to know what name to cry out?" he replied confidently. Fleur gasped and smirked at the werewolf as she stepped across the threshold of the circle without missing a step. Once she was within, I saw a different side of her, she'd been bawdy on the walk through the forest, but once past the threshold she put her hand on Yolund's fuzzy rear and gave him a squeeze. I saw the werewolf's tail raise and then Fleur get on her knees to be before his sheath.

I gasped as she cradled his chestnut sized testes in one palm and used her other to coax Yolund's shaft out of its sheath. Before Fleur put her mouth on the growing shaft she looked at me. "Honestly girl, are you going to watch like your friend or claim your pleasure? I'll be fine." With that she immodestly licked her lips and kissed her way up Yolund's shaft.

Ingrid stood near the pillar that divided the circle from the clearing, a step away from the threshold, and watched me as I wandered between paired couples watching and looking for one who was not already claiming another. Perhaps it is because I never considered what a man wanted, but when I saw a young man about my age on top of a feminine werewolf I realized that it was not just women who sought out the wolves of the wood.

There were other men in the circle, mostly my age, a couple were older, and unlike the first man that I saw, these were claimed by male werewolves. I covered my mouth with my hands as I saw a man pinned against a standing stone as a crowd of werewolves waited for their turn to claim him. The man's moans were like that of a woman as he took the werewolf's shaft into him. I'd never considered that a man could receive passions that way. That part seemed so dirty, yet the wolf-men didn't seem to care, they plunged into him eagerly one after the other.

But as I was wandering the circle my time finally came. A werewolf with fur as white as freshly driven snow stepped before me, his presence eclipsing my own. Here I was, a woman who stood not even to the shoulders of my Father, and this werewolf who stood taller than any man I'd known was looking down at me. Even with a thick coat of fur on him I could tell that he was muscular, I knew he could take me easily with or without my say.

"Shall we?" he asked. As he asked it was impossible to ignore that his shaft was already grown and ready, a thick red member glistening with another woman's fluids and his own spent seed. I'd only seen one man's shaft before, and to compare the two was an unfair fight. Both size and shape promised endless pleasure. I didn't realize I'd nodded until the werewolf reached and scooped me up in his arms and walked toward an open space on a rock in the centre of the circle.

When I was deposited on the rock I looked down to see the white furred werewolf place his paws on my thighs and spread my legs. I covered my mouth with my hands as my womanhood was exposed to him, to say I felt vulnerable was a gaping understatement. I expected him to pounce on me and claim me immediately, and I must admit that wasn't something I was opposed to. But instead the werewolf knelt at the foot of the rock and pulled me until my legs were on his shoulders and my waist was at the edge of the rock.

The werewolf pressed his muzzle against my crotch and breathed in deeply, I knew I was blushing, "I'm sorry," I gasped. "I've been walking ever so long and-"

"You smell perfect," interrupted the werewolf as he opened his mouth and lapped at my folds eagerly. I let out a long moan as he licked me intimately. His tongue delving into my passage and rousing pleasure within me. I could feel myself clenching around his tongue as he licked inside of me. I arched my back as his tongue found a sensitive spot and gave it his full attention. My whole body was shuddering by now, how could a tongue make me feel such things? Around me women of all sorts were being claimed by their mates, werewolf seed dripped from the edge of the rock and some women's skin was coated in it.

The werewolves around me rutted with a primal ferocity that at first terrified me, but as I watched a woman with a werewolf on top of her I saw that the wolf looked into her eyes, he slowed and quickened in tune with the woman's cries and moans. They all held savagery and consideration in each paw. Even the most debased acts were yearned for by the men and women who they were inflicted on.

Again my thoughts returned to Yolund's warning and as I felt this werewolf lick my insides a feeling was growing in me. It was as though an eagerness was being nurtured with each lick, with each sight that I took in, it was an eagerness to be their vessel. I shook my head, I was here for pleasure, not to be made a Mother. And by God this werewolf knew how to please a woman.

Was it so bad to-

I would never-

But perhaps-

God yes-

My thoughts flew about my head like startled songbirds and I came to crying out and kicking my legs excitedly as something warm welled up in my core. I threw my head back and cried out as my whole body clenched and my back arched. I knew not what I was experiencing, only that I wanted more of it, I wanted so much more of it. I panted and reached down to hold the werewolf's head in my hands and guided him onto me.

The werewolf smirked at me and let out a playful growl which I must admit made me shiver with excitement. "You smell ready," growled the werewolf as he lined himself up with me. I could feel his fur against my belly and breasts, I could feel his heat radiating through his fur, and by God I could feel his shaft pressing against my womanhood.

To take a werewolf intimately is to surrender. That was my first thought. My legs were spread to make space for him, his length stretching me to near bursting. My eyes went wide and my breath caught as he filled me out. His weight was pressing down on me as his hips bucked and I felt him thrust in and out of me. Each withdrawal left me feeling empty, only for him to thrust forward and the fullness to return. I didn't realize I was speaking at first, crying out depraved requests without end.

"Fill me," I cried out as my legs wrapped around his waist.

"Make me yours," I moaned as I felt his knot pressing against my folds.

"I want your seed," I screamed as I held onto his shoulders.

I couldn't believe myself when I heard the last request. I'd wanted the pleasure, not the duty, not the proof of what I was doing. But in the moment I couldn't help it, I was too pleasured to think clearly. I was whimpering, I was crying out, I was moaning whorishly; to surmise, I was a mess yet loving every depraved minute of it.

He continued as I had my personal crisis beneath him and claimed my womanhood for himself, his length soaked in my own arousal by now. I looked up at him and he watched me writhe and pant, and like the creature of two natures that he was, he adjusted when needed. Of all the pleasures that one could experience, the knot of a werewolf was a peak I had not expected. He pressed it into me and my vision went hazy and doubled as my eyes crossed. I was full, perfectly and completely full.

Then he finished.

I'd never felt seed in my womb before this moment, but I grew intoxicated by the sensation as the werewolf on top of me snarled and his length twitched. Each twitch heralded another burst of seed into me, and by the fifth twitch I could feel his wasted seed spilling out of me. Despite myself and my promises I'd made, I wanted more. The werewolf pulled out of me, but not before giving my face a long lick which sent me into shivers.

More seed spilled out of me without the werewolf's knot to hold it in and I idly scooped a handful and before I my mind could comprehend what I was doing I'd put my hand to my lips and drank of the seed. Even after I came to I continued to lap at the seed in my palm until my hand was empty. The werewolf wiped his shaft against my leg and chuckled as he saw me enjoying his seed.

"Eager pup, aren't you?" he teased. I just nodded and smiled foolishly at him as he winked at me and headed for other mates to mount.

I was idly plunging my fingers into my depths, feeling his warm seed within me. I looked over at where Ingrid had been standing only to find nothing. A sly smirk grew on my face, where had she gone off to?

I pushed myself up and felt seed drip from my womanhood as I walked among the rutting, curious where my friend had ended up. Fleur by this time was being held by the hips by Yolund. Her legs were wrapped around his waist as he dipped her up and down on his length. I was, to put it mildly, envious of her, it looked like such a powerless and sensual position to be rutted in.

When I did find Ingrid I understood why it had taken two laps around the circle to find her. A circle of werewolves surrounded her, each presenting their shaft to her as she sampled them with her mouth. By the time I'd found her I could see even in the moonlight that her face was covered in seed.

I was tempted to join her in serving the werewolves that surrounded her but I was taken by the beauty of the full moon. Since as long as I can remember I'd felt comfortable under the full moon, the way the light illuminated the quiet night set my soul at ease. But tonight among werewolves there was something different about the moon. It was as though it sang a sweet siren song to me that demanded to be heard.

As I looked up at the moon my skin itched, at first I thought it was simply the itch of the werewolf's fur against my skin only now causing discomfort. But the itch ran deep under my skin and no matter how much I scratched it would not go away. I let out a pained groan and fell to my knees as I scratched more and more, I must have been making more noise than I expected because some werewolves and their mates had turned their attention to me, God the shame of it.

"Is she okay?" asked Ingird after a werewolf had removed himself from her mouth.

"She smells familiar," said the werewolf.

I cried out as the pain went beyond an itch, it felt as though my very bones were cracking of their own accord and flesh rippling under my skin. "God! What have I done?" I cried out, it had to be punishment, it just had to be.

I fell to my back and writhed on the ground, moments ago I'd been writhing in ecstasy, now it was in sheer pain. My mouth felt like it was breaking apart, I tried to cry out but it was becoming warbled. And then, to my horror, I saw the fur sprout from my skin. Was this really happening? Had laying with a werewolf made me one? But that made no sense, the other women weren't changing, what could be causing this?

The changes painfully continued, my mouth elongated, forming into a muzzle as fur grew everywhere. My vision faded and returned, but now the darkness gave way as though it were dusk, not midnight. I could feel my ears stretch and travel up my head and my cries turned to whimpers. Why was this happening to me?

I looked at my hands, now paws, I could see pads on my palms and finger tips and each finger now ended in a claw. God, Lord in heaven, why? Why was I being cursed when there were so many other sinners around me?

I breathed in as the pain faded and fought to stand up. I felt myself and found a creature of fur, fangs, and claws where a young woman had once been. It took a moment to notice but I realized I was standing taller than I ever had, the world felt smaller as I took an uneasy step on my new legs. The werewolves and humans around me watched me, the werewolves with a calm curiosity, the humans with something close to awe and fear.

This was too much, even Ingrid and Fleur had stopped their indulgence to watch me as I stumbled about the circle. I approached the centre of the circle where the great stone was, a large bowl carved into the central stone, currently it was filled with rain water. I looked, I knew I shouldn't but I had to bear witness to what had happened to my body.

The creature looking back at me was undoubtedly a werewolf, the wolven head, thick dark brown fur, it was me, I was looking at myself, but I did not recognize the creature looking back at me.

But there was something else, a strength that welled in my body and demanded to be spent. I flexed my palms and shuddered, I'd lived my life unable to do the hardest chores yet now I felt as though I could snap an anvil in half. Was this the strength that the werewolves wielded? Yet they'd been so gentle with me.

As I looked at myself and wondered why, I felt a paw on my shoulder, it was the white wolf. I was mere moments in my new body yet my ears knew to fold back. The white wolf nodded his head toward a quieter part of the circle, "come, pup, I'm sure you need answers."

We sat just outside the circle as the rutting continued within, the wolf sat in front of me and I struggled to sit down with a tail. He chuckled as I had to pull my tail out from beneath me. "I had questions when I first changed too," said the white wolf, "but first, I should introduce myself, I am Roland."

I nodded, when I tried to speak nothing but canine babbling came out, Roland smiled at me, "you will learn to speak in your wolven form in time," he assured. I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Every wolf has a night when they turn, near twenty summers of humanity shattered in one night, as happened to me, as happened to you. If I were to guess, your Mother did as you are doing now, venturing into the woods to experience wolven pleasure."

I gave another nod then paused. Father... he wasn't truly my Father, he was human, Mother was human, I was something else entirely. I was the result of my Mother's adventure with the wolves of the wood. Every tender moment between a Father and daughter was tinged by the understanding I now had. But... was he not the man who raised me? Was he not the man who protected my family and provided for us? We didn't share blood, but we did share a life as a family. My heart thundered in my chest and I could hear blood pumping in my ears as I reconciled what I was and what it meant for my family.

Roland smirked, "putting some things together?"

I let out an exasperated sigh and looked at my paws, was I stuck like this now? Roland saw the worry in my face. "You will return to your human form come sunrise, until then you are as the moon demands. The question now is what will you do with the night that remains?"

What would I do now? I could whimper, I could cry, I could run about the forest trying to escape what I was now, but the smell of sex which was once noticeable was now overwhelming with my wolven nose. I could smell each woman's arousal and the scent of each werewolf that mated with them. Then I looked at Roland, as a mere woman I was intimidated by him but as his equal I could feel so much more than that. I could see his hardened body and sense that he was a great hunter worthy of me.

Roland's scent, the scent of sex, they mixed in my nose and I could feel how my body reacted to them, I could hear Roland sniff and a wry smile grew on his muzzle, "having feelings? Pup?" he asked.

Oh God how I nodded when he asked. I opened my mouth and tried dearly to say anything. With some practice, like a tyke trying to form a word, I barely managed to produce a "ye" but it was enough. He stood up, I stood up, and he offered his paw to me. This time I knew what I was doing when I reached out and held it.

We walked back to the circle, by this point Ingrid was straddling a werewolf while the others of the group took turns with her mouth. Fleur was held upside down against Yolund's chest, her mouth filled with his shaft and Yolund dining on her well-used womanhood. And here was I, a woman who only just learned what she really was, preparing to consummate my bond to the moon with Roland.

This time Roland was on his back, resting on the stone that he'd claimed me on. My womanhood was as changed as the rest of me, it was swollen and radiated warmth as I hovered over Roland's canine shaft. When I lowered myself on him I felt my throat rumble with a low, dog-like grunt. My tail, my God I had a tail now, wagged eagerly as Roland's tip spread my wolven passage and the rest of him slowly entered me.

When my ears folded back this time, it was because my body was in bliss. His shaft spread me comfortably, not to near bursting and with each rise and fall I felt the warmth within me grow. I rested my palms on Roland's shoulders and lifted and dropped my hips as he bucked under me. Guttural moans left my mouth and I could feel my breasts bounce on my chest with each rise and fall. I'd never been blessed with breasts like Ingrid, yet now? Now I had breasts, fur covered as they were, that were ample.

My tongue hung out as I reached my first climax, perhaps it was the feeling of strength that I now had, perhaps it was because Roland was a talented lover, but all the same I shuddered and arched my back. A howl escaped me as my whole body clenched and waves of warmth crashed against me.

Other werewolves joined the howl and soon the entire circle was filled with the near deafening sound of wolven howls. Even Roland, beneath me, joined the chorus of howls. I redoubled my pace and felt Roland's knot swell again, pushing against my passage. Feeling it press against me roused a deep and newfound instinct, I stopped riding him and pushed down to work his knot into me, my passage stretched to accept him and I managed to gasp as his knot spread me and slipped inside. I quivered on top of him and rubbed my crotch against his, admittedly desperate to feel more of him inside of me.

The fullness, I could not think of a better sensation than to be joined with a lover, a knot holding him inside me, pressing my insides in the most delightful ways. I was panting as I squeezed around him without control or restraint, the sensation pulled my focus away from the circle, from the world at large. All I cared about in this moment was what Roland was about to give me. My mate, my mate's seed... was I really thinking this? I'd come to be ravished and sent home walking funnily yet now I considered carrying a werewolf's young.

Was that really so bad though?

Of course it is.

Why?

That one word question stopped the world for the briefest of moments. What was my alternative? To bear a man's child, a child who I now realized would be a werewolf by my blood. Would their human Father accept them? I was a werewolf and always had been, the woman I thought I was... wasn't. I would always be a creature to humanity, I would always have to hide this were I to return.

I'd been writhing my hips against Roland's, I realized as my breath caught that I'd been lost in worry mid act, but the climax he was bringing me to demanded my attention. I was starting to lose count of how many times Roland had brought me to crisis now. I didn't care so long as the sensations continued. Another whimpering moan escaped my muzzle and I bucked my hips, starving for the next climax.

Would they take me in? I wondered as I eventually came down from the heights of my most recent climax. Did they have a place to call their own? Surely there had to be a place werewolves could exist as the divine creature they were. I could be a wolf Mother, I would forsake God and man to know this pleasure and relish this form without shame.

Roland's paws gripped my hips and held me down as he emptied himself inside of me. I know not how a werewolf can spare so much seed, all I knew was that there was plenty to fill me with. He painted my insides with his seed and we remained intertwined with his knot, two harmonious parts doing as nature intended, we fit each other perfectly now. I lowered myself down to rest chest to chest, I lapped at his muzzle and he lapped at mine.

I had to ask now, I couldn't bear to not know, but to ask I would have to speak, and this muzzle was alien to me. "Ma-" I said with difficulty, I struggled again, "mat-" I groaned in frustration.

Roland smiled and rubbed my muzzle, "mate?" he asked calmly.

I whimpered and nodded while his knot continued to twitch inside me. Roland stroked my cheek. "Should you come to bear my child, you will not be alone," he said. In that moment I knew I could wait for the knot to subside and continue to indulge, Lord knows there were enough werewolves for me to continue.

But I wanted Roland.

I wanted to be sure that if I did bear a child that I knew whose it was. I was chosen, mated, and basking in afterglow. Roland put a paw on my back and held me as I rubbed my face against his chest, he felt so strong under all that fur. We continued like that long after his knot ceased to hold us together. I could still feel him in me, and I'd admit quite readily to clenching around him just to feel him buck his hips instinctively. We rolled over to be on our sides, His head was resting on top of mine as we watched the others in their rut.

Ingrid was on the ground as a werewolf drove into her, not an inch of skin on her not coated in sweat, mud, seed, or a sinful combination of all three. Fleur was straddled on a new werewolf as others offered their shafts to her, her expert lips sampling each and her hands kept busy pleasing those who waited their turn. But there were some like me, those women who'd welcomed the werewolf's gift to their womb and rested with their mates.

With each hour that passed more and more found themselves resting with their chosen mate. All us women had come to a similar choice, to risk or welcome a werewolf's seed to touch our womb, all to experience a werewolf's passions.

It was late now and only a few of the many continued the rutt. Roland and I were among them. As others slept, curled up together for warmth, I was on my hands and knees as Roland gave one final performance. And what a performance it was. His white fur was stained by the mud we rutted in, I fought to hold back my moans lest I awaken the others, it was not shame that kept me quiet but simple courtesy.

I wanted now for Roland to secure his ownership of my womb, I'd fought in my mind over how to feel about bearing a werewolf's child and I'd made peace with the answer. I was willing, oh so willing to be Roland's mate. A werewolf for a werewolf, an equal union, no shame, no hiding, just existence.

As my body tensed up and cries of pleasure built up in my chest I bit down on my paw and let out a muffled moan. Roland was not far behind and gave his final shot of seed into me. I don't recall much after that, Roland held me and we rested in the mud, kept warm by our fur as we slept like animals.

My dreams were feral, living as an ordinary wolf chasing an elk with my pack. It was after what felt like a day of tracking and pursuit that I dug my fangs into it that I awoke. I was in the circle, my humanity had returned, and there was a man's arm around my chest. Roland's arm was strong, coarse hairs covering it, I suppose now I would know the man behind the wolf.

I allowed Roland to rest until he awoke on his own. The sun's ray were touching his eyes now and I could feel him wake up behind me. He moved his arm to stroke my side and I let out a little whimper. "How was that? Your first night as a wolf?" he asked, his voice was younger than I expected, still that of a man's but one closer to my age.

I gently giggled at the question. "I've never known such heights," I said, I blinked as I moved my legs and an ache shot up my body. Mother had been right.

We stood up, I held my breath as I turned around to face Roland, I silently prayed to a God who I knew may not listen at this point that Roland was as handsome as a man as he was as a wolf.

I don't know what I was fearing, when I turned around there was a young man before me. He was perhaps five years older than I and blessed with a confident gaze and a face that was at once masculine yet gentle. We were as nature made us in this moment, I could see all of him and there was little to complain about. There was body hair where you'd expect and muscles where you'd hope, he was the picture of a man who worked hard.

"So... this is me," he said. "I hope you approve," he was either naive to his beauty or just fishing for a compliment. If it was the former I found it endearing, if the latter, I was willing to bite.

Yet what came out of my mouth next surprised me. "I still prefer the wolven you," I replied cheekily.

He smirked at me, "I was about to say the same," he replied. Oh I liked him even more now. I held my arms to my chest and shivered, without the fur and standing in the morning dew I could feel the cold nipping at my skin.

Roland offered his chest and I stepped into his embrace, how was he still so warm? As I held him I closed my eyes and remembered what I'd invited on myself, what was now perhaps growing within my womb. We held each other for a minute and when we finally let go I placed a hand on my mound. Roland smiled at me. "My promise remains," he said as he looked into my eyes. "The village I belong to is deeper in the forest. We're all werewolves... I know you have a home and family but-" I placed a finger on his lips.

"I cannot leave my family without saying my farewells. But come to my village in three days and I will await you, it's called Old Oak, if you follow the old king's road and make a-"

Roland nodded. "A right at Pinefall village and follow the south road, I'm familiar."

I took a deep breath. "So you won't lose your way and break my heart?" I asked, only half playfully.

He reached out and placed his hand on top of mine resting on my mound. "I will find you, my mate, and when you have said your farewells we will journey to my village. And together..." he took a deep breath. "We will nurture a life."

I looked into his eyes. "And try for more?"

Roland stepped forward and held my cheeks to guide me in for a kiss, I allowed him to and returned the kiss eagerly. Our tongues intertwined and I may or may not have given a playful reach between his legs. When our kiss was broken he smirked at me. "As much as you desire," he said before kissing my neck.

Roland and I ended up sharing stale bread and apples from my basket as we watched the others get up. I shared the apples with the first to wake and soon the menfolk had gone into the forest to gather wood to build a fire with. There wasn't a patch of Ingrid's skin that was clean and she was smirking like the cat that caught the mouse. "That was-" she began.

"Life changing," I finished. She nodded at me she looked down at her mound and sighed, "God willing, I will leave this with only fond memories... but more than that, what happened to you last night?"

"I suppose my Mother left with more than just fond memories," I said.

Ingrid looked at me, then down at herself. "I'll keep your secret, just don't tell anyone I did this, please," she said. I smiled and hugged her, we were all filthy by this point.

After the hug she scratched at her skin. "Is there nowhere to clean up?"

We looked and saw other women scooping water from the bowl in the middle of the circle. We joined the line to wash and when it was our turns we hastily washed off the grime as best we could. Our clothes were dirtied from their time on the ground, it was clear to anyone who looked that something had happened to us, though we'd be tight lipped on any details if pressed. As we walked away from the bowl we noticed Fleur waiting in line and positively glowing.

"Fleur," I greeted. "How fare your nethers? I know mine ache fiercely."

Fleur chuckled. "About the same, by God what a night," she sighed, "they made me feel like a woman half my age."

We were all in the afterglow of a perfect night, Ingrid noticed Roland gathered near the pile of firewood and looked at me. "He seems a good one," she said as she looked at him.

"I'm wagering my womb and future on it," I said.

Ingrid blinked. "Wait... truly?

I looked at Ingrid with a sombre expression. "You saw what I am, I don't think I'm fit for human society."

Ingrid frowned, it didn't suit her. "I'll miss you," she said after a beat.

"I will miss you too," I offered her another hug and we held each other, this time tighter and longer than the first.

After the hug I looked at Roland as he used a bow to start a fire. He was working the bow back and forth, causing the tip of a stick to billow smoke as it was rubbed against a log. As he added tinder to the pile he noticed me looking and winked at me, I was reminded of the wolf that he was, that damn wry, confident wink that worked its way into my heart. I approached him and waited until the flame had grown strong enough to hold on its own. He stood up and rubbed his reddened hand. "Heading out?" he asked.

I nodded. "I must visit my grandmother before returning," I explained. "Lest my Father ask her eventually and realize I did not visit her."

"Naturally," replied Roland.

I looked at him and groaned. "How am I to explain your sudden appearance and my trust in you?" I asked, I couldn't announce the truth, that much was obvious.

"You got lost on the road, you found my camp, and we bonded in the night, I'm sure it will be enough for your family."

"Do you make a habit of coming up with alibis so quickly?"

Roland shrugged. "A good alibi protects a werewolf more than fangs," he said confidently. "Be safe on the road," he continued in a softer tone.

"I promise."

When I looked back Ingrid had a pained smile, as Roland returned to the fire I turned to her. "What is it Ingrid?" I asked.

Ingrid sighed. "I envy you, he's... well to be blunt he's handsome. I understand why you'd offer yourself to him, I still don't think I could marry a werewolf but he is a fine treat for the eyes."

I looked back at Roland and smirked. "That he is," I said coyly.

Epilogue

Our journey out of the forest was filled with our accounts of what we experienced, I found myself occasionally touching my mound whenever I talked about my time with Roland. When I listened to Ingrid and Fleur speak of their exploits I will admit my mind was elsewhere, to a child I hadn't met and the foibles of raising them. And by God, or perhaps by the moon I fantasized about my next wolven union with Roland when I could feel him locked within me again.

When we reached the king's road Fleur took her leave and Ingrid and I travelled to my grandmother's village. There was only a meagre serving of apples and bread and I felt guilty for taking food meant for my grandmother. Ingrid and I kept the werewolf talk to ourselves on the king's road, it would be a tragedy to announce it to an unseen passerby who recognized us. Instead we talked of our lives up to this point, perhaps the knowledge that I was leaving spurred us to reminisce on our shared youth.

Grandmother was surprisingly understanding of our plight. "You young things need to eat, I will suffice," she said when I gave the handful of apples left and half a loaf of bread. But after pleasant conversation my grandmother stopped me before I left and beckoned me to listen to her, mouth to ear. "You were with the wolf men, were you not?" she asked. When I asked how she knew she gently laughed. "Do you think you are the first woman to walk in a dirtied dress after a full moon?"

When I asked if she knew of it personally she shook her head. "I was sweet on your grandfather for a long time, I stayed virtuous. But your Mother, free as a bird, every full moon she'd disappear only to return the next morning in a muddied dress with her equally dishevelled friends. It does not take a spymaster to deduce what she was doing. She only stopped a few months into your father courting her."

I gave my grandmother a kiss on the cheek and hugged her dearly before we departed. It was a few hours on the road before we returned to our village, Ingrid went to her family's cabin, I to my family's. The entire time my Mother and I shared glances and nothing more.

It was as Father was at the forge that my Mother approached me and we sat down near the hearth, "I know what you did," she said to me.

"And I know what I am," I replied.

My Mother nodded. "Then you know that I was not loyal to your Father," she sighed.

"Whoever's seed spurred my creation," I began. "It was Father and you who raised me," I offered. My Mother stood up and at first I thought my cheek was about to be struck, but then she beckoned me to stand and she held me tightly.

"If you know what you are, then you know that it is not safe for you or your children to be here, among man."

I held onto her. "I met someone, he will come for me in three days, he is a good man and we will be going to his village."

"I presume he is a werewolf?" she asked.

"As much as I am."

My Mother pulled away from me and wiped a tear from her eye. "Promise that you will visit at least."

"Of course, Mother," I said.

Mother looked down. "It is not my place to ask, but I know what women and wolves do at the druid's circle-"

"First hand experience I gather."

She smirked and shook her head in bemusement. "Shush child,"

"Mother, I am nineteen."

"You will always be my child, now, I know what happens there, should anything... come of it... I would appreciate knowing I am a grandmother."

"I promise," I said as I reached to hold her hand, we smiled at each other in the way a Mother and daughter do when the thing they shared is best left unspoken.

Three days went by, I counted their passing eagerly and at dusk Roland arrived at the village in clean clothes and freshly bathed. He greeted Father and Mother, I gave our alibi, and Father accepted Roland the way fathers do. He was protective, he sat Roland down and asked him the questions a good Father asks, what did he do, how often did he go to church, and the like. Roland's answers were sufficient, he said he was a wood cutter and that he attended Sunday mass in the village chapel. This was sufficient for Father who gave his blessing.

I hugged Father and Mother dearly and Roland helped carry my few possessions. As we walked back I looked back at the village that had been my home and then at the man who marked the next chapter of my life. And hopefully within me was a new character for that chapter. I was ready, more ready than I could ever have imagined to be a wolf Mother.