The Gate of Shadows

The whole experience felt like a dream. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to ride a Lycan.

“I’m okay,” I leaned in close, speaking softly as I noticed the back of Fenris's neck taking on a delicate shade of pink.

I knew wolves ran hot, but you…

I felt the comforting warmth of his body pressed against mine, like a cocoon of safety and reassurance. It was my first time embarking on a quest to collect items with a companion and having his assistance made the experience so much more enjoyable. With his help, I gathered nearly all the items on the list in a fraction of the time it would’ve taken me alone.

I mounted his back with ease, feeling the relief as we moved. It seemed as though the sisters' attempt to punish me had backfired. Of course, that was a secret I would keep to myself. My only task was to hold the list and guide him to the shops.

Fenris took charge of the negotiations and made purchases using the coins provided by the coven. While on him, a subtle aroma of roses wafted from his person. I couldn't tell whether it resulted from a fragrant perfume or if he had a garden of roses at home, but I found his scent quite enchanting.

His presence brought an unexpected sense of calm over me. No matter how lengthy my errand was, he remained steadfast and unwavering, carrying me without hesitation. His unyielding strength compelled me to depend on him more than I anticipated.

On the way to the final destination, I couldn't resist touching his adorable ears after staring at them for hours. However, when I did, he flinched, tightened his grip on my thigh, and slightly growled at me. I was taken aback by the fact that he displayed no signs of anger.

His primary concern appeared to be the potential consequences if he had failed to catch himself.

“Do you want to fall?” Fenris huffed, holding onto me tighter.

My body reacted instinctively, sending chills down my spine. I quickly withdrew from his ears; my mind flooded with negative thoughts.

“Sorry... I-I...” I trailed off, shaking where I stood.

He sighed deeply, feeling the tension leave his body as he settled into a more comfortable position.

“It’s fine. You can touch them if you want. Just let me know before you do. It tickles, and I could’ve hurt you without wanting to.” He mumbled, guiding me to a beachfront bench and allowing me to sit and take in the view.

We were only a few short distances away from the last shop.

Why worry about hurting me?

He should have cast me aside like a discarded bag if it troubled him. The anguish wouldn't have been as severe as enduring a whipping. The wolf's behavior puzzled me, but he surprised me with each step we took together. To my astonishment, he suddenly knelt before me, a gesture that left me in awe. I gazed at him, feeling unsure about how to proceed.

The eyes of strangers around us seemed to fixate on our interaction. His cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as he grew increasingly impatient with my inability to decide.

“Do it,” Fenris muttered, a deep blush coloring his cheeks.

My cheeks flushed with the same hue as his eyes averted from mine. Once again, my indecision seemed to unsettle the petite silver wolf before me. This time, rather than being tender, he was more assertive, firmly grasping my hands and guiding them to rest on his head.

His hair felt like silk beneath my fingertips, an unparalleled softness I had never experienced before.

“Just do it, Lilith,” He growled, avoiding my gaze.

Slowly, I brushed against his soft hair and onto the clouds he called ears. Suddenly, I found myself holding them in my hands. The softness of his ears against my skin sent a delightful shiver down my spine. His ears twitched in response to the gentle sensation of my touch.

Despite his discomfort, he never voiced any complaints. Instead, he averted his gaze, leaving me to ponder what emotions he experienced when my hands were on his ears.

Can it be anything like when my mother used to play with my hair?

As I gently touched the base of his ears, I was struck by the sudden realization of the silkiness of his hair, a feature that I had admired from a distance for the longest time. Pedestrians hurled comments in our direction, creating a cacophony of voices that soon surrounded us.

“Aw, isn’t that cute?” A human mother cooed to her daughter.

I reluctantly pulled back my hands, feeling embarrassment wash over me. Fenris struggled to compose himself, trying to regain his lost pride after publicly letting me take over. Most remarks were similar to this until an elderly Lycan noticed us.

The comment that received the most attention was the one comparing us to "young love," a resemblance usually found only in dreams. However, the older man seemed unable to tolerate the perceived innocence and sweetness.

“Oi, stupid boy! Why do you let her do that?! Aren’t you scared you’ll bring a bad name to your family by hanging out with a witch?!” The man snarled ferociously, his nostrils flaring.

Fenris recoiled, swiftly pivoting towards the unexpected intruder. At that moment, I began understanding the depth of the sisters' animosity towards Lycans. His eyes seethed with contempt directed at me despite never encountering this man.

The young wolf had experienced embarrassment in the past, but this encounter made Fenris feel uneasy. His defensive stance was immediate, hinting at the pride and hot tempers typical of Lycans, especially when interacting with one another.

In the wolf hierarchy, there were always two alphas, and the remaining members of each clan were betas. Silverant's clan stood out as the largest within the Lycan hierarchy, serving as the capital of Lyari, the Lycan nation.

“What I do has nothing to do with you, old man. Keep walking.” Fenris emitted a low, menacing growl as he stood in a protective stance, ready to defend us.

I stood up from my seat and reached out to gently pull on Fenris's shirt from behind. I was cautious not to attract any attention or provoke a conflict with someone bigger than us. In his presence, we felt small and insignificant, like little shrimps.

But Lycans…

“P-Please... L- Let us go.” I stumbled over my words, only to have the man scream at me to be quiet.

The scene made me cringe as Fenris growled even louder at the man staring at me with scorn. The older man chuckled in response to the little Lycan’s feeble attempt at aggression. The wolf, with its fierce gaze and menacing posture, was a stark contrast to the endearing appearance of the boys.

Its presence stirred memories of the tragic day when my mother's life was cut short by the officers who ultimately put an end to her rampage. My entire body shook with a sense of powerlessness.

Fenris clutched the hand that gripped his shirt, casting a fleeting glance in my direction as if silently assuring me that everything would eventually be alright.

The man spat on the floor, sneering at us once more. “You should be ashamed to be seen with a witch! Don’t you know they’re vermin that need extermination?!”

Fenris refused to back down, advancing confidently towards the man. The little silver Lycan displayed unwavering fearlessness. Despite being at a clear disadvantage if a fight were to ensue, he stood his ground with a sense of determination.

“Shut up, old man! She’s done nothing wrong! And not all witches are villains! Most of our herbalists here are witches!” He snapped, voice rumbling.

The older man chuckled as he scrutinized the small Lycan boy who stood protectively by the side of the miniature, fearsome witch. It was an unusual sight that he disapproved of. However, as he observed more closely, his eyes widened in realization, and he instinctively covered his open mouth with his hands.