The remnant of a dream clung to Kai like a shroud. Images of a battlefield, faces blurred and nameless , a cacophony of screams and the acid scent of smokes - it was a nightmare his being having for weeks, a fragmented tapestry of chaos he couldn't grasp. He woke with a shudder, the dreams echo lingering in his bones .The weight of the dream, the feeling of something lost, something he couldn't quite remember pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe.
He stood, his limbs heavy with exhaustion, the memory of the dream, a weight upon his shoulders. He needed to shake it off to clear his head. The woods, a haven of green solace beckoned. He slipped out of his cabin, the crisp morning air a balm to his troubled mind. The woods smelled of pine needles and damp earth, a scent that always calmed him, a reminder of the wildness that pulsed beneath the surface of his being.
He hadn't been running for too long when he saw him. Ethan, his heart skipping at the sight. Ethan was a vision in the dappled sunlight ,a silhouette against the emerald backdrop of the trees . His hair the colour of burnished copper shone like fire in the filtered light. Kai watched his wolfish instincts urging him to remain hidden to observe. Ethan was a puzzle, a mystery that intrigued him.
Ethan moved with a grace that captivated kai . He was looking around, his gaze searching as if he was seeking something. He moved with a fluidity that spoke of years spent in the woods , his movements as natural as the swaying branches above. Kai felt a prickle of concern, a need to protect Ethan , a connection he couldn't explain as if they were two pieces of a puzzle that had somehow been separated.
A snap of a twig shattered the quiet. Ethan turned, his gaze falling upon Kai. The wolf stood frozen, his heart pounding. Ethan's eyes widened a flicker of surprise crossing his features. His eyes the color of the deepest ocean , held a spark of something else, a hint of curiosity that made kai's stomach flip.
"Wait," Ethan called out, his voice a low rumble that resonated through the stillness of the woods. He was close enough now that Kai could see the lines of worry etched around his eyes, the faintness hint of a scar that ran along his jawline. " I saw you," Ethan continued, his voice softer now, almost like a whisper," I thought I was alone." Kai's wolfish instincts screamed at him to run and disappear into the shadows. But something held him rooted to the spot. He felt a strong pull towards Ethan , a yearning to understand the mystery that was this man.
" I came to say thank you for saving me the other day and sorry for running out of your house line that. I was a bit startled, " Ethan said. No replies yet, Ethan titled his head, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. " I'm Ethan," he said, his voice warm and soft. " What's your name?" Kai thinking Ethan couldn't hear his voice as he was still in his wolf form said casually, " Kai." " Kai," Ethan repeated savoring the sound of the name. Kai was shocked as to how Ethan was able to hear him, " how the fuck is he able to hear me. No human has ever heard me as long as I'm in my wolf form. Who the hell are you Ethan ."
" Your name Kai suits you. You have the look of a wild thing , a wolf in human skin," Ethan said. This made Kai blush as he didn't know what to say. He was lucky he was in his human form and Ethan wouldn't be able to see it. " I'm going to be staying here for a while," Ethan said, his gaze never leaving Kai's " would you... Would you like to show me around?" Kai felt a wave if unexpected joy. He was captivated by Ethan , drawn to him in a way he couldn't explain. " Yes, I'd like that," he said.
Ethan smiling said, " ok. But first can I touch your fur, I want to know what a Wolf's fur feels like." Kai was mesmerized as no human who ever saw him in his wolf form ever wants to come close to him let alone touch him. Without wasting time, Ethan stretched out his hand and vegan touching him. At first Kai was tensed, but later felt relaxed with a human for the first time in his life. Ethan's hands moved to kai's face and Kai leaned into Ethan's touch wagging his tail . Ethan seeing this began to laugh and said , " you seem to like this a lot right?"
Kai refused to change back to his human form as he was enjoying the attention Ethan was giving to him constantly petting his fur as Kai showed him around the woods.
It was already evening and Ethan had to go back home. Kai decided to escort him out making sure he was safe. Ethan turned to Kai and said, " it's ok Kai. I can go on from here. I don't want anyone to see you , they might freak out." Understanding, Kai let him go but kept watching him from a distance as Kai didn't want to loose his first friend. For the first time in kai's life, he actually liked the fact that he was a warewolf, " I'm starting to like this warewolf thing."