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The Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest

He wanted to sneeze.

There weren't many who called Ryse Forest their home. Sure, there were many who traveled through it, and many who hunted within it, but not many who lived in it. Was it because Ryse Forest was dangerous and filled with beasts? Well, yeah, it was filled with animals, but it was no more and no less dangerous than any other forest in any other kingdom. So why? Why was he the only person who lived here? Was it out of respect and love for nature?

Ugh... he wished...

Crunch... Crunch... Crunch... Crunch...

Among the whites and grays of the snow-swept forest, the sight of a figure was only barely visible. A body – formless and translucent – moved between trees and through mounds of snow. They wore a cloak, one that covered them from head to toe, and had the imprint of nature upon its surface.

Camouflage, and damn-fine camouflage too. It mirrored the trees and snow around them, giving this form the transparent image of a ghastly figure. Perhaps, then, you'd be forgiven for thinking that, yes, this was just a ghost, a specter forced to roam the forests of Ryse without end.

But then you'd see the bow in their hand, and notice the quiver full of arrows on their back. That's when you realize that this was a hunter making their pay.

Elias Orvan. His was a name that wasn't well known, but well respected by those who did know it. Was he a stalwart knight who served king and kingdom? No. Was he the son of an aristocrat who rallied for the common man? Again, no. Elias is a hunter, and a damn good hunter at that.

A young man, he was somewhere in his mid to late twenties, perhaps 26 or 27. You wouldn't know that thanks to his height, however. He wasn't the tallest, in fact, many would argue he was downright short since other hunters tended to loom above him! But what he lacked in height, he more than made up for in skill... and in presence. Sure, his cheeks were rounded, he had curly black hair and brown eyes, but his expressions were always aloof, indifferent, and just slightly serious.

Elias made his life here in Ryse Forest. He has hunted game for as far as Ryse Forest stretches, from the fringe outside of the kingdom, to the base caves that surround Glaive Mountain. No area was too far or too dangerous for him.

Some may think he was bloodthirsty for his nature. Perhaps he enjoyed hunting animals too much. But that couldn't be any further from the truth. His decision to live out here in Ryse Forest wasn't so that he could better hunt the animals that live here, but – ironically – because he had an appreciation for them. An appreciation for life... and appreciation for nature.

It mattered not if it was the heat of summer, or the chill of winter – like right now. To Elias, Ryse Forest was always beautiful, always teaming with life... and always teaming with game that needed to be hunted. And he was ever ready with his bow in hand to make his living the best way he knows how.

He wished his nose didn't ache as much as it did now.

Elias rose up over a small hill mound as he surveyed his immediate location. Before him laid skinny trees as tall as pillars, with logs overturned and water at their roots. Frozen water at their roots. This area was known as the Ridgeland Swamps, and like the whole of Tylis during this winter season, had frozen over with snow and ice.

Gazing out and over the frozen swampland, Elias' gaze focused in, searching for something. Perhaps he was too far away; he saw no signs of it. But he knew it was here; everyone at the local hunter's guild was talking about it. A wicked creature, one that may have been rabid. But, no, that couldn't be it; Elias knew better. If a rabid creature was really out here causing havoc, then said havoc wouldn't be so... controlled.

It only attacked people in this one area of the entire forest. Rabid animals typically roamed about, and would eventually make their way to more populated areas, not stick around to one. What they had on their hands was just a regular rampaging beast; nothing more, nothing less.

And he was going to hunt it down.

With a foot raised upon a snow-covered log, Elias readied his bow in one hand, and notched an arrow upon it. Even with his hood on his head, his vision wasn't obscured in the least bit, and he gazed out over the frozen swampland. So far, nothing seemed disturbed. Sure, there were animal tracks and footprints here and there, even droppings, but nothing that implied a rampaging beast had come through here.

That didn't make him feel any better...

“Hmmm... Achooo! Ghh...! Haaah...”

Now, any smart hunter would probably know its best to not go hunting with a runny nose. At the very least, they'd be cautious. But for Elias, time was of the essence. This rampaging beast had already attacked several merchant carriages and civilians over the past week. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but injuries were reported. Because of this, the city of Tylis were planning on sending their own hunters into the forest to eradicate this beast. But beforehand, a great bounty was put on this beast's head.

Did Elias want that bounty? Of course he did! He'd be foolish to not want it! But it was more than that. While he did wish to fill his coin purse, he was more interested in the thrill of the hunt. This animal had thus far eluded some of the best hunters of the local guild, with no one capable of positively identifying what it was. The only traits he knew of was that it was big and furry.

Very descriptive, yes, of course.

Outside of those two things, details seemed to vary wildly. He heard it was brown, or black, or even white, though he assumed the white was because of snow. He heard that it made a noise like 'GUGUGUGUH!' which would make it akin to a snapdragon caiman, but he knew that couldn't be it because snapdragon caimans weren't indigenous to this area. He also heard it made a noise like 'FURRRUUUFFHH!' which would be the same cry of a waterborne bear, but those were in hibernation at this time of year!

Putting it simply, Elias had no idea what he was hunting. But he had an idea. Since he not only hunted in Ryse Forest but lived in it, he was capable of noticing it when things were... out of place. And the past few weeks, he had begun to notice signs.

“Hmmm... Choo!”

Such as this.

Stopping at a nearby tree, Elias placed his hand upon its cold black bark. Resting on the trunk was a slash mark... a large slash mark. It was forced into the hide of the trunk, as if something had rubbed against it to sharpen an appendage against it. But this wasn't like when a bear claws a tree, for there weren't multiple slashes, just the one. So this creature – whatever it was – wasn't honing claws. It was honing something else, and – again – Elias had an idea.

But he remained alert, not wanting to jump to any assumptions before he had the truth yet. So he continued marching forward, entering deeper into the frozen swamp. Snow and ice cracked beneath his boot, the sound of which echoing throughout the land. Deliberately so, mind you. He wanted his prey to hear him, forcing it to reveal itself. He could hide with his camouflage, but he knew it could not.

“Where are you...?” he whispered to himself, “I know you've been coming here to drink. Reveal yourself already...”

Perhaps his words called this creature out. Perhaps the animal heard it. Perhaps it was even incised by it. Regardless...

Shssshhhhsssshhhffff... STOMP!

It began to move.

Elias stopped, growing still at a tree as he raised the bow in his hand. Glancing to the distance, he watched snow move. It was big, white, and it seemed to travel upon thick hooves. Snow and ice shuffled off this moving blob of white and gray, traveling away from Elias and stepping into the frozen waters of the swampland.

CRACK SPLASH! CRACK SPLASH! CRACK SPLASH!

Yes. This creature was big. And, yes, from what Elias could see, it was indeed furry. But he couldn't tell if it was brown, black, or yes, even white. That's not what was important, however. No, that would be what extended from this creature's head.

Two long curved tusks, ones that had snow and icicles hanging off of them, which dangled and glowed in the winter sunlight. Elias gritted his teeth at the sight of these tusks, for it confirmed what he thought it was.

“A mathson...”

What's a mathson? Easy. Think of a bison... but twice as big, with tusks twice as long, and a temperament that's twice as nasty. Large and belligerent, wild mathsons typically dominate the areas they were located in, maintaining a certain kind of ecosystem around them. While they are herbivores, they have the capacity to eat an area’s more... let's say vicious plant life, stopping them from overwhelming the area. Unfortunately, while mathsons are integral to maintaining floral balance, they can become incredibly agitated and aggressive, causing them to rampage and attack others. They may not eat them, but that doesn't stop them from harming or even killing others.

Which is what this mathson was doing currently.

How it got into Ryse Forest was a mystery in and of itself. Mathsons typically roam fields in herds, but this one appeared to be solitary. Perhaps it roamed here after its herd was killed? That happens rarely, but it's not unknown. Or maybe it escaped some sort of encampment somewhere, and set up home in Ryse Forest.

Who knows? Certainly not Elias. While he pitied the mathson who was in this unknown land far from whatever field it came from, he also knew that it needed to be dealt with. The destruction it caused would only grow until it either left, or was eliminated.

Two guesses as to what Elias was here to do...

Reaching for his quiver, he thumbed it briefly before pulling out an arrow that felt heavier and thicker than the arrows he normally used. It pushed down into the palm of his hand, and he dragged his thumb along its stalk. Stealing a quick glance at the mathson once more, he locked his glance at the area he assumed was the beast's neck, nodded, and then began pushing forward.

The great beast of fur and ice continued marching forward, occasionally stopping to drag its mighty tusk upon nearby tree trunks. It then stopped, brought over its foot, and pushed it into the frozen surface of the swamp beneath it. Ice cracked under its great hoof, causing the water within to bubble up to the surface. And after it created a large enough hole in the surface of the icy swamp, it dipped its head down, and--

Slurrrp! Slurrrp! Slurrrrp!

The mathson was completely unaware of the world around it... or the hunter that was preparing his arrow. With steady aim and a steady resolve, Elias began pulling his arrow back. Its neck. He was targeting its neck. With one precise aim, he'd sever the creature's spine, paralyzing it at worst, and outright killing it at best.

Just... one... shot...

Fwip!

Everything was so clear in Elias' head. He'd done this very same thing dozens, if not hundreds of times in his life. Sure, this was a mathson, a creature he wasn't used to hunting, and yes, this was in the winter, a time he wasn't used to hunting such big animals in, but that didn't mean much, did it? A mathson is a mathson, and whether it be in summer, spring, fall, or winter, hunting it should be the same.

Should be the same... but it wasn't...

JAB!

“GRRGH!?”

Elias struck the mathson...

But he didn't hit its neck, nor its spine. He didn't even hit close to those areas.

His heavy arrow struck the mathson's back, penetrating its thick hide... but not penetrating deep enough to cause any mortal damage. The only thing he served in doing was revealing himself to his prey, and his prey was not happy.

The mathson turned around. Snow and ice shuffled off its body in sleets of crystal which shimmered in the sunlight as it turned to face its hunter; face-to-face. Or face-to-face-covered-in-ice-and-snow. The mathson wore what could generously be described as a mask, for all he could see looking back at him was the beasts long and curved tusks.

But the beast could see him.

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!

“Shit...!”

The mathson started marching forward, uprooting snow and ice as it focused its gaze upon Elias. He readied another arrow and pulled it back whilst taking aim at the creature's head, before launching off a flier in record time.

JAB!

He struck his target... but not its head. Another arrow embedded itself into the mathson's hide, which instead of frightening or slowing it down, it angered the beast further. And the angrier it got, the faster it got, as it began outright pounding through the swamp to chase Elias down.

“Shit...!” he growled under his breath as he prepared another arrow.

Fwip! JAB! Fwip! JAB! Fwip! JAB!

A flurry of arrows flew from his bow, with each one striking the mathson, but not one of them even slowing it down. The beast continued picking up in pace, eventually rampaging towards Elias with reckless abandon. Snow, ice, sleet, water, logs, trees, wood chunks; it was all tossed up and knocked aside as it tore towards his hunter, who continued pulling back.

Fwip! JAB! Fwip! JAB!

A few more fliers flew from Elias' bow, all landing in its targets' hide, and all doing nothing. He couldn't even tell if he drew blood with his arrows, or if its thick hide stopped them. No blood was drawn, and it wasn't shedding fur either. All he saw was crumbling snow and ice!

“Gah...! Gghh!”

But Elias wasn't stupid. He almost assumed this was going to happen. Hunting rampaging beasts is rarely as easy as hunting game like typical. So before he left his home, he planned on things going south, and prepared himself accordingly.

So Elias turned.

And he ran.

Whether it be snow and ice, or through grass and dirt, the hunter of Ryse Forest knew how to move. He leaped over mounds of snow, and slid under overturned logs, all while the mathson gave chase. Its gaping maw split open, letting out a howl that pierced the air as it continued upon its near endless rampage. And Elias ran. He ran faster and harder, taking note of his surroundings as he did so.

In the forest – in specific areas, that is – he had crafted devices to trap less intelligent game. Whether they be pits or snares, they were numerous, and were made to be inescapable. While he had no snares that were strong enough to lift a beast of its size, he had a pit that was large enough to trap it. And once he got at higher ground than this mathson, he could more easily hit its head and neck.

Again, that was the plan. But when he finally approached the pit he knew the location of and leaped over it... Elias fell. It would seem in all of this snow and ice, he had misjudged the distance and location of his trap, meaning it wasn't the mathson who was falling into his trap, but Elias himself...

“Oof!? Agaah!?”

He came face to face with a mound of snow, beneath which laid nothing but leaves to obscure the fact that it was a pit. Water and ice oozed into Elias' cloak, chilling him down to his flesh, and triggering yet another--

“Achoo! Ack!”

He didn't know what was worse; the embarrassment of falling into his own trap, or the sneeze that followed it.

Elias groaned and rolled to his back, while his grip tightened further on his bow. Above him, the great hide of the mathson appeared into view as it loomed upon the lip of the pit. Even through the snow and ice that covered its head, he could see the glare of its beady black eyes. This creature's heavy breathing echoed through the air, while the arrows he plugged into its back shook and rattled. It was almost as if it were gaining some sick pleasure in the revenge it would soon have upon him. Not that Elias could blame him... nor was he going to wait for it to happen.

He quickly readied his bow and readied an arrow as well. As soon as the beast descended into the pit to pin him, he was going to quickly leap back and launch an arrow into its neck. This time, it was bound to happen. With it being so close, he wasn't going to miss; he couldn't miss! All he needed to do was wait for the inevitable...

SWOOP! GRIP! GRAB!

But the inevitable never came.

A body. A tall body. A tall body covered in fur. A tall body covered in fur that was voluptuous... and strong. The body of an amazonian wolfess to be exact.

She appeared from seemingly thin air. Unlike he who needed his camouflage to blend in, she – with her silver-blue pelt – blended in with the whites and grays of the snow-laden forest. It allowed her to appear from seemingly thin air like she had now. Did she fall from the sky? Perhaps she rushed in from the side? Maybe she even exploded upwards from the ground? Regardless of how she got here, she was here, and she had her hands on the tusks of the mathson.

The beast shook, shocked and confused by the sudden appearance of her. Who even was she? The mathson wasn't given the chance to ponder this, as with a roar and a flex...

“Hoooooorraaaaaahh!!!”

The wolfess easily twisted and jerked it by its horns, forcing the mathson off its feet, and sending it tumbling to the side. The beast – confused and bewildered – was quick to scramble back onto its four hooves, before turning to face the wolfess before it.

She stood before it; tall and strong, without break or sway. A wolf, tall and voluptuous, strong and powerful; amazonian, through and through. Her figure was tight, smooth, and brawny, all at once, without becoming overly bulky or big. No, no, she had this graceful and almost lithesome figure of a warrior thanks to how spry, slender, and lean she was with all those taut and sculpted muscles. But the figure of a woman was still on display due to all of her curves. The shape of her hips, the narrow width of her waist, the heft of her bosom; she had this silhouette that was both strong and erotic.

This wolfess' long hair – silver-blue in color like her fur – flowed from her head freely. The wind slightly ruffled it, but it never got into her face, nor did it hinder her. She even casually tossed her hair up... while her nonchalant and almost bored face leered down at the mathson in front of her. And why would she show anything but boredom? This creature – strong though it is – was nothing compared to her.

She stood there in full tribal garbs, with a top that looked like it had been fashioned from both leather and leaves, as well as a loin cloth forged from cheap fabrics. Everything else was exposed. If anything, the clothing seemed more like a formality than a necessity, especially since so much flesh and fur was exposed.

Yes, that's all she needed; flesh and fur, not clothing. She was more than warm enough with that. The clothing was less for her, and more for the others, less her beautiful nudity cause others to go mad. Not that the mathson could care for – or even appreciate – any of it.

It was a beast, and this beast was angry.

“GGRRRRRGGRAAAAAAWWWWW!!!”

STOMP-STOMP!

The mighty mathson slammed its hooves down, causing snow and ice to fly upwards, and even sending a light tremor through the area. Elias jolted as he struggled to climb up the pit he was trapped in, but the wolfess was undisturbed. She instead took a battle-ready pose, with her hands raised up... and her claws extended.

“GRRRAAWWWW!!!”

The mathson charged forward, ready to use its tusks to impale the wolfess upon them. But right as it swung at her, she leaped up and over it gracefully, with her hand reaching out for one of the arrows jabbed into its back. Gripping it tight, she ripped it out of its hide before landing safely on the ground behind it. Brandishing the flier like a knife, she watched the mathson spin around and face her, before it began charging recklessly again.

“GRAARRGGGHH!!!”

It rose its front hooves and swiftly brought them down upon the wolfess, who stood her ground. Pushing her hands back against it, she again caught the beast by its tusks and flexed hard, forcing it to a standstill.

“Tch...”

PUNCH!

“GRRGHK!?”

With a solid punch square to the mathson's face, she forced its head back. The punch was so great, so strong, that the snow and ice covering its head had been knocked clean off, revealing it. The creature then looked forward just in time to feel a swift--

KICK!

Which forced the beast back even further. The wolfess pulled back however, steeling herself as she raised that arrow in hand. Her blue eyes – so crystal and strong – glared down upon its target; the mathson's neck. The beast itself shook its head, waving off the pain it felt in its skull, before again rushing towards the wolfess.

“GRRAAWWWW!!!”

Just like before, it rose its hooves up high to crush the wolfess beneath its heel. But this time, instead of holding the beast back by its tusks, she slammed her forearm against its jaw, keeping it just a few inches shy of crushing her. But now – closer as she was – she had to contend with the full weight of the beast... which it knew how to use.

The mathson pushed down against the wolfess, coming closer and closer to crushing her beneath its thick gut. But the wolfess wasn't bothered, she wasn't even uncomfortable. She just glared at the mathson with an eyebrow slightly raised, almost as if she was halfway close to sighing in minor annoyance.

Again, the beast charged, but this time, the wolfess slammed her foot down into the ground, forcing it in place. Beady eyes wide, the mathson grew confused by how a being so much smaller than it could be so strong. The wolfess didn't care however. She didn't even sigh. She had her target right where she wanted it. And as the mathson struggled to parse the reality of being weak, she forced its head to the side, pulled back the arrow in her hand, and--

STAB!!!

“Urghk!?”

All at once, the mathson locked up in place. Sure, there were a few twitches here and there that ran along its body, but they did not last long. Just as Elias attempted earlier, the wolfess stabbed the arrow into the mathson's neck, severing its spine.

The beast could no longer move as blood oozed from its neck. Slumping into the wolfess' arm, she pulled herself out from under it, letting the beast fall to the side as nothing more than a heap of flesh and fur. It laid there, breathing in and out – hoarsely – while life steadily began to leave its eyes. And as she stood above it, the wolfess watched the mathson gaze at her... before its eyes finally rolled back in silence.

“Gaaaaaaaaa...”

The wolfess continued standing above the mathson, all while retaining an expression of sheer indifference. But then her ears turned and twisted as she heard the sound of a certain hunter behind her.

“Gah... D-Devana,” he called, “Aah...! Achoo! Gaah...!”

Finally, a coy smile appeared on the wolfess' face, shattering the nonchalant visage she wore before. Turning around, she faced the lip of the pit, gazing over it towards the young man trapped inside. He looked back at her, bow in hand and a pout on his face... before he begrudgingly extended his hand up towards her.

“A little help here...?” said Elias, “With all this snow and ice in the way, I can't get a good grip.”

“Uh-huh. Sure, Elias,” replied the wolfess as she sauntered closer.

Extending her hand towards him, she grabbed upon the hunter, and helped pull him out of his pit. As he stood next to her, he looked himself down and brushed some snow off his body, before turning to face the mathson she had downed.

“Good thing I showed up in time,” said the wolfess, “He would've crushed you had I not gotten here in time.”

“I could've handled it on my own, Devana,” he replied, garnering a grin in return, “Besides...” crouching down next to the mathson, he brushed his hand along its still warm hide, “Your hunting ability is high. Clean kill and everything. If you keep this up...” he straightened back up, “I'll have to retire...”

“That's good...” said the wolfess as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him back until his head rested along her chest, “You can sit at home and take care of all the kids we're going to have. I'll hunt and provide for us instead.”

“Tch... not yet,” he replied, “There's still something I need to hunt down. Until I capture it and prove my superiority, I can't stop yet...”

“If your way of hunting down a creature is falling into your own traps, then I think you need a lot more practice, Elias.”

“Meh...” he rolled his eyes, “C'mon, the mathson's been hunted. Let's get this home and prepare it. You can take any meat you want for yourself, but please leave some for me to sell. I'd like the hunter's guild to know the mathson's been slain so I can take the bounty on it.”

“Hm... yes, let's go home,” she replied whilst sliding under the mathson... and lifting its corpse up upon her back with ease, “Lead the way, Elias.”

“Gh...”

Devana. That was the wolfess' name. Devana. But she had another name, a name better recognized by those outside of the forest and outside of their home.

The Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest.

That's what she had been called by the hunter's guild and beyond. Tales of the so-called Silver Diamond had reached throughout all of Tylis, spreading to all of its four corners. Peasants, lords, ladies, dukes; it didn't matter who you were, you heard tales of a beastkin woman who called Ryse Forest her home.

They said she was as strong as a titan, as fast as the wind, and as cunning as a demon. Any and all attempts to find and capture her always ended the same way; in absolute failure. She was too skilled to be caught, and those truly overzealous in their chase sometimes ended up missing for their issues.

But that never stopped hunters from trying to find and capture her. If anything, the mystery of the Silver Diamond only instilled more hunters with the confidence to try and find her. But where as most ended up failing, and many didn't even catch a glimpse of her, only one of them saw – and fought – her multiple times.

And his name was Elias Orvan.

Elias and the Silver Diamond – Devana – had an interesting relationship. Having contended with her multiple times, he was the only hunter in all of Tylis who could say he's seen her more than twice. He was also the only person who came close to capturing her several times over. But every time they fought, she always – always – escaped him. His fastest arrows, his great precision, even his surprisingly brawny skill; all of it paled in comparison to her superior skill.

And then one day – one morning – he checked one of his net traps... and saw her caught in it. Somehow, his basic snare trap used to capture small animals, caught the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest. He hadn't meant to catch her of all things, but – somehow – she was trapped inside of it. Even more confusing, she didn't fight back, and acted absolutely submissive, allowing him to bound her wrists in chains and bring him back to his home.

What happened next was... interesting. He took the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest home with her, and had relations with her. Aaaaallll niiiiiigghhhtt loooooonnnggg. It was something he was still uncomfortable with admitting to; he never knew he was that sexually backed up.

The next morning, he awoke to find his home empty. When he rushed out to find her, she caught him in one of his own traps, and revealed her name to him.

Devana. Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful wolfess.

She never returned to the forest. She lived with him. Sure, there were some days where she'd just vanish without warning, but she'd always return by the night. Other times, she'd do nothing but laze about in their house. Many days, she'd go hunting with him.

His life had changed. No longer was Elias alone, but now spent alongside the wolfess. The Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest was no longer the golden ingot of the woods that many saw her as. To him, she was Devana... his partner.

But for as close as they were – as much as he adored her – there was something in him that refused to change. In reality, Elias never caught Devana. Quite the opposite; she caught him. He was sure that her letting herself get caught was this long-term game to finally get him into her clutches. To what reason, he did not know. Even now as they walked home together with the mathson on her shoulders, he didn't understand why him of all people. What made him so special in her eyes? What made him worthy?

And that's the issue. She may have thought he was 'worthy'... but he didn't. He still didn't. Even after spending many months with one another, he still felt... unworthy. And today – with the mathson being carried on her back – that feeling of ineptitude only grew greater.

“Achoo!”

“Hm... when we get inside, I'll brew you some tea. That should open up your nose.”

“Ah... thank you...”

As they returned home, Devana dropped the body of the mathson at the doorstep and entered inside, leaving Elias behind. He sat for a moment... sneezed... then began dragging the beast's corpse the rest of the way inside. As the wolfess headed for the kitchen to prepare tea, he continued to the back of his home to the room where he cleaned and prepared his game.

It was a small room with a concrete floor and a tub in the center. While getting the mathson through the doorway was difficult due to its size, it wasn't impossible. Nor was it impossible for Elias to get it into the tub. The biggest mess was all the ice and snow it left in its wake.

Glunk! SPLAAASSSHH!

Pouring water upon its head, Elias slowly began cleaning the mathson's body free of grime and dirt. He knew of many buyers who'd spend great money for a mathson's hide, especially with it being of such great size. He knew of other buyers who'd love its meat, and many others who'd like its skeleton. But before he sold anything to anyone, he needed to prepare its body first hand.

He had done the same thing with Devana when he first 'captured' her. He had her in this same tub, poured the same waters and soaps on her head, and started cleaning her nude body and silver-blue fur. Of course, he'd rather be cleaning her voluptuous body compared to this mathson's corpse, but that's besides the point.

For many years Elias has cleaned the bodies of the various animals he's successfully hunted. It was a part of his job; people didn't like buying what could generously be described as roadkill. There was a science to this, and – as strange as it was to say – he found it somewhat calming. Not because the act of cleaning an animal's corpse is fun, but more because it left him free with his thoughts.

And – naturally – those thoughts traveled back to Devana.

Time and time again, he has pondered what Devana's purpose here was. Even though they now lived together, there were still a plethora of mysteries surrounding her, the biggest one being why. Why did she let herself get caught, why did she choose him of all people, and what did she see in him that made him so worthy?

He had an idea of an answer, with that being something she mentioned earlier.

You can sit at home and take care of all the kids we're going to have. I'll hunt and provide for us instead.

Such an odd statement... but it wasn't the first comment she’s made. He originally thought she was joking, but it became increasingly clear that it wasn't a joke. Devana wanted children, and seemingly wanted to have children with him.

Not that they weren't trying to have kids... but... it wasn't like he was trying to have kids either. Almost every night was spent tangled in her arms in one way or another. The fact that she wasn't pregnant yet must have come down to the difficulties some couples have when it's human-beastkin relations.

But questions of children inevitably led back to the same question he had before. Why? Why him of all people? Wouldn't she be happier finding some big wolf to have children with? He was just some human... and not even a particularly tall one at that. Hell, he hunted her for well over a year! Wouldn't that feel... strange?

“Is everything okay in there?”

“Gah!? Achoo! Gah...! Hggh...! Devana,” said Elias as he faced the wolfess.

She stood at the entrance to the cleaning room, holding in one hand a teapot and holding two cups in the other. In the time it took him to start cleaning the mathson's body, she had changed her clothes, taking off those tribal garbs she wore before and replacing them with a sweater. Just a sweater, one that covered her from the neck down to her pelvis. He was sure she was wearing nothing else aside from that.

Wearing that nonplussed face of hers, she looked down upon Elias, who sighed and stood up.

“Your tea is ready,” said the wolfess, “Are you ready Mr. Runnynose?”

“It's not running that much...” Elias mumbled, making her smile.

“Yeah. Heh... sure...”

Still smiling, the Silver Diamond poured him a cup of piping hot tea, the smell of which was already strong enough to free his clogged nose. There was a particular skill the wolfess had. She was unnaturally talented in terms of service. Whether it be preparing tea, cleaning the house, cooking, or even doing the laundry, Devana was good at it all.

Just another mystery to add to her infinite number of mysteries.

“Thank you, Devana,” he said as she handed him a cup.

“Don't mention it,” she replied, “Just make sure you drink it and smell. I don't like hearing you sniffle like that.”

“Hm...”

He didn't think much about her words, at least, not at first. Instead, Elias took his time to drink the tea given to her, where he did as he was told and took his time to really smell it. That bitter fragrance was enhanced by sugar and honey, and they worked in tandem to soothe his nose which had swollen thanks to the cold air.

But as he enjoyed his tea, he stole a quick glance at Devana. She was looking at him... and was wearing a face of concern. Confused, Elias pulled his teacup away from his lips, and opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong. But before the words could leave him, she pulled her hand over and palmed his cheek, where she gently dragged her fingers along him.

“Elias...” whispered the Silver Diamond, “Is everything okay?”

“Hm? What are you talking about...?” he replied with a shrug of his shoulders, “Why would anything be wrong? Of course I'm okay?”

But she wasn't pleased with his words, and shook her head to prove it. Face growing annoyed, the wolfess crouched down so she could be even closer to the hunter, causing his cheeks to turn red. Growing silent, Elias allowed Devana to continue dragging her palm along his face, rubbing his cheek, his forehead, his lips... before poking his nose.

“Something is on your mind, Elias,” she said whilst standing up, “If something is wrong, just go ahead and say it. You know I hate playing mind games.”

“You? Hate playing mind games?” he shook his head, “Don't make me laugh, Devana. I'm sure you've been playing mind games with me ever since you've shown up,” he leered at her, “You probably enjoy it far more than necessary...”

“Weeeell... heh... you're not wrong,” she said with a smile... but said smile did not remain long until she looked at him again.

Placing aside the teapot she held, Devana reached out for Elias, who hesitated momentarily. There was no escaping her however, and as she placed her hands on his shoulders before wrapping her arms around his neck...

Glomp!

“Nhh?”

She pulled him in, embracing him against her chest.

The softness of her sweater cradled his head, while beneath, he felt the curve and warmth of her bosom. Her breasts – so big and firm – lifted and supported his head, causing him to sink against her almost involuntarily. She then began to gently rub her hand along the back of his head... while saying this sound that she often said before, though he didn't know the origins either.

“Hafu... hafu... hafu...”

'Hafu'? What did that mean? Ah...

“If something is on your mind,” said Devana, “Just tell me, Elias. We are partners, are we not?”

“Hnnn...”

Truth be told, he wasn't sure what they were. But to hear her say they were partners felt so good to him, so pleasing.

Elias was – in all honesty – a simple man. He woke up in the morning and went out hunting; that's how he's lived his life for years now; over a decade no less. He's never complained about anything in his life before. Well... save for one thing.

A part of him – a small part but no less insignificant – had this niggling suspicion that... he just was not good enough. And when he pulled his head away from Devana's breasts to stare her in the face, he saw the evidence of his inadequacies.

“Devana...” whispered Elias, “May I ask something of you...?”

“Hn? But... of course, Elias,” said the Silver Diamond as she tossed up her hair, “What do you wish to ask of me? Go ahead. Spit it out.”

Elias puffed up his chest. What he was about to ask could possibly ruin the relationship they had. But while most men would hesitate making such a request, he would not. Not because he was afraid of the repercussions of his request, but more because he was afraid of what would happen if he didn't ask.

Devana was like the wild she hailed from; blunt, primal, instinctive. Intelligent though she was, she did not operate 100% by more 'civilized' standards. She may live with him, may even go out to town with him on occasion, but her heart would always remain in the woods.

Always.

So she'd understand when he asked it. She'd understand what he needed to prove. Not to her, and not to anyone, but to himself.

“Devana,” said Elias as he looked her in the eye, “May I hunt you?”

Most people would hear his words and think he was being absolutely insane! Who asks their partner to hunt them!? Who even has thoughts like that!? Didn't Elias know how crazy he sounded!?

Well... yes, yes he did. But it didn't change how he felt.

There was no hesitance in Elias' voice, no shyness, no fear, nothing like that. When he spoke, he spoke with this confidence and this resolve that was impossible to ignore. And he looked the part too as he gazed deep into Devana's beautiful blue eyes.

And Devana grinned.

“You... want to hunt me...?” she said, her playful, teasing, and incredulous, all at once, “Do you hear yourself, Elias? Did the mathson hit you on the head when it was chasing you?”

“Probably,” he replied with a shrug of his shoulders, “But... that doesn't have anything to do with what I'm asking. Devana, I've been thinking about this for a few days now. I... haah...” closing his eyes, he shook his head, “I didn't catch you. I never caught you. Heh... I'd argue that you caught me. And I just... I don't understand why. I don't understand why you chose me of all people. And I figured that... it must have been some sort of test. Like you were testing to see if I was worthy. But... I don't feel worthy. And I hate that. I hate that I feel unworthy of you in my own eyes. And I think that... the only way I can feel worthy is if I catch you. Truly catch you. So... I ask again... may I hunt you?”

Devana said not a word... but the grin on her face grew wider. Raising her hand, she again tossed up her hair, while her crystal-blue eyes tightened upon her partner's face. Elias could hear chuckles raise up from within her belly, but he stayed strong. He made this request, didn't he? There was no turning back now.

“Are you sure, Elias?” she asked, “Most hunters – most men – wouldn't even think twice if I just so happened to get caught in their trap. You could've accepted your luck and fortune. But this? This could possibly throw it all away. So I ask again...”

Bringing up her finger, she placed the tip of her sharp nail upon his neck, and dragged it all the way to her chin. With slight force, she tipped his head up so that he could look her in her eye, see her crystal-blue eyes as they shined, and read the wicked grin she wore on her lips.

“Are. You. Sure?”

Was he sure? If there was ever a moment to second guess himself, it was now. But Elias didn't. As crazy as it was to hear, he truly could not accept Devana – accept himself – until he had proven to himself that he was a talented hunter.

No. Not just a talented hunter, but a superior hunter. Superior to the people of the hunter's guild, superior to the Silver Diamond herself! And – above all – he wanted, no, he needed to prove himself superior to... him.

Who's 'him'? It didn't matter, not to anyone but Elias, anyway.

“Yes, Devana. I'm sure.”

That grin of hers shifted, becoming something so... deadly. He watched her blue eyes ghost over his body like she was sizing up prey, and he watched as her tongue came out to lick upon her lips. A few taunting chuckles left her lips soon after, and she pulled back from her partner, retreating into their home's living room.

“Then rest up for tonight, Elias,” said Devana as she headed for the door, “Because you're gonna need aaaaalllll the energy you need! Heh heh heh!”

“Where are you going?” asked Elias as he watched her open up the door, letting the cold air from outside flow into their home.

“Where do you think I'm going?” she replied, “Prey and predator can't stay in the same abode! Besides, someone's going to start hunting me, isn't he? I can't stay in the same bed as him. What if I wake up with a knife at my neck? That would be rather... anticlimactic. So...” she shot him a flirty wink, “I'm going to go out and get nice and comfortable! Heh heh heh!”

“Nice and comfortable?”

Coming to the door behind Devana, he watched as the wolfess walked out into the snow that surrounded their abode. She then reached down, grabbed the sweater she wore by the hem, and--

Fwaaaaaa!

Pulled it off from her body, removing it completely. Elias flinched as he bore witness to the wolfess' nude form. She wasn't even wearing her tribal garbs from before! Her silver-blue fur and illustrious figure were both on full display, completely unbothered by the cold air around her. She then looked over her shoulder towards Elias, flashing him a grin that could charm demons.

Chase me~

Her voice. He heard her voice, but he did not hear her voice. It was less like she spoke from her lips, and more like she spoke directly to his mind. Like a ghost, or a spirit, or a phantom. The wolfess he knew as Devana was gone.

The Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest had returned.

Before Elias could speak another word, the Silver Diamond had dropped to all fours and rushed forward. Snow and ice were tossed up in her wake as she leaped into the woods surrounding their home, vanishing among the frostbitten trees and winter frost. Soon after, he was left alone at their homestead, his chest swelling as he took a deep breath.

“Devana...” Elias whispered, before shaking his head.

No, no. There was no retracting his request now. Devana was no longer Devana; she was the Silver Diamond once again! And it was time to prove his superiority to her. Then and only then would he be worthy of Devana.

This wasn't just a battle between hunter and prey; a game of life and death. No. This was a test. A self-imposed test perhaps, but a test nonetheless. The Silver Diamond will be his, no matter what.

Thud!

Elias closed the door.

…

7 AM. On the dot.

A young man, somewhere in his mid to late twenties. Human, with a dark skin tone, curly black hair, and such brown eyes. His cheeks were rounded and his stature... was a bit on the shorter side. His expression however? Heh, it was always so aloof, always so indifferent, always so slightly serious. He may not come up to your chest in height, but boy, could he command a room with his gaze alone.

His name was Elias, Elias Orvan, and out here on the fringe of Tylis is where he made his life. To know Tylis is to know forests, and to know forests is to know there is no end in game.

He emerged from his home as he always did. A white and gray cloak on his shoulders, its hood drawn up to his head, pouches attached to his belt, a quiver hanging off of his back, and a strong bow fitted perfectly in hand. Elias had hunted and sold game for many years in Tylis, having made quite the reputation for himself as being skilled and reliable. Whether it be boar, deer, poultry, hell, even bear, it seemed as if there was no game too large, no animal too great for him to catch.

No animal... save for one.

Elias had a good night's rest last night. He needed to be well-rested for what he was going to do today. Somewhere out here – among all the snow and frostbitten trees – the Silver Diamond laid in wait. Hell, she could have been stalking him right this moment, and he'd never know. But he kept his wits about him, remaining focused and steely as he entered the winter woods.

Snow softly fell from the heavens as he walked out into the forest. It crushed beneath the heels of his boots, and hung from the frigid canopies of the trees above him. As he positioned himself upon an overturned log that was coated in ice, Elias gazed out through the woods, searching for any signs of the Silver Diamond.

There were none. Hm.

If memory serves, he typically found signs of her hunted prey this early in the morning. Carcasses stripped of nearly all their flesh and organs would litter the ground, normally of larger animals like wild pigs and boar. So far he saw nothing; the snow was clean save for signs of footprints. But the footprints were too small; perhaps hares, deer, foxes, and maybe even wolves.

But not thee wolf. Not her.

First, he checked his traps. Pit traps, snare traps; they were all empty. He then checked the general location, being sure to pay close attention to areas he encountered her at in the past. Such as this tree. He remembered finding her eating in this tree once, where she dropped bones atop him. But when he gazed up, he saw nothing... of course.

“Hnn...”

Elias wasn't deterred however, and he continued his search. He had all day to find the Silver Diamond, meaning it was only a matter of time to locate evidence of her being here. So he continued on, checking yet another area he remembered seeing her at. This time being a riverside where they fought once. The river itself was semi frozen, with ice forming in certain areas, while others the water still flowed freely. Still, no signs of the Silver Diamond.

“Hmmm...”

Her eyes traveled elsewhere, now gazing up towards where the river flowed from. This was one of the few areas of clean water that wasn't frozen over. Even now, he could see some animals – such as deer – lazily lapping at the riverside. These animals were quick to disperse as he approached them.

Approaching the pond from which the river flowed from, Elias knelt down at the frost covered beach side, where he gazed around slowly. The pond itself had been mostly frozen over, with a few cracks and splinters racing through it. The smooth surface was strong enough to support his weight if he stood upon it... but there laid holes in its surface, perhaps created by something punching through it.

“Hmmm...”

Elias knelt down near one of these holes, his fingers dragging along its rim. Upon doing so, he picked up something; a strand of fur. It was long, thin, and silver-blue in color.

“Gotcha...” said Elias as he straightened up, “You drank water from here... and you probably didn't roam too far. No one would give up clean water this easily. Hmmm...” he looked around, “It's still early in the morning, so you're probably still hunting... but where...?”

Straightening up further, Elias walked away from the frozen pond and returned to the woods. The forest was filled with suitable prey to fill the belly of a ravenous wolfess. And considering her power, it was clear that she was the apex predator here, not some bear or pack of wolves. Everything was beneath her, so everything was on the table.

That didn't make it any easier to track her, however.

Returning to the woods, Elias gazed towards the forest floor, seeing more footprints in the snow. Many were small... but a few were much larger. These were wolf footprints. Her wolf footprints.

Straightening up, he again marched deeper into the woods. The frigid air of the winter forest was gripping at him, nipping at the bits of flesh exposed from beneath his hood. He remained strong however, keeping his gaze steeled as he combed through the forest around him. She could be anywhere, doing anything. She could even be stalking him.

He'd almost preferred it, really. At least then, he wouldn't be fumbling about in such confusion.

Crreeaaaaaaaak...!

Oookaaaaaaay. Maybe he spoke too soon.

Elias spun around, his bow drawn and arrow at the ready. The sound he heard was of something sharp dragging against wood; a claw no doubt. But behind him was nothing but snow and frozen trees. Hmm.

She was following him. She was playing tricks on him. Hmph. He wasn't going to play this game by her rules then. He was the hunter, and she was the prey. It was time she understood that.

Reaching for one of the pouches around his waist, Elias pulled it up and popped off its top, revealing a green liquid inside. From it came this disgusting and disturbing odor, one that made his nose curl. Thankfully, the winter air was doing a good job of making it difficult for him to smell already.

On this tree and on that tree, Elias casually oozed his substance, coating the area in that putrid smell. He knew her nose was sensitive, so she could probably smell this from miles away. It was poison for the nose, and would more easily obscure her senses. Any normal animal would steer clear of this area, but he knew she was different.

The mind games began the moment he made his request.

After spreading that toxic scent around, Elias roamed deeper inside, entering into a thicket of frostbitten trees that had claw marks dragged upon their trunks. Five horizontal claw marks that were deep and deadly. One could only imagine what that would do to human flesh.

No. That would only psyche himself out. He already knew how dangerous she was; he didn't need more reminders.

Yes, yes. This was her domain. Other animals seemed to steer clear of this location. Ah, but look at this. The snowfall had slightly obscured a path in the ground. Something was dragged through here, probably the previous night. Crouching down, Elias dragged his fingers along the path, where he picked up blades of fur. This was black and brown; no doubt the Silver Diamond's unfortunate prey.

Perhaps if the snow was falling faster, this path would have been obscured. Instead, Elias now had an arrow pointing directly to the Silver Diamond's abode. So he followed it, though he made sure to do so slowly. Even the sound of him walking through snow grew quiet, as he focused only on the silent sounds of the forest around him.

The glimmers of the morning sun cut through the frostbitten trees around him, casting long shadows which stretched on like giants. Here, Elias could not feel the presence of nature... but he could feel her. In a way, it was like this forest was her forest, and she was watching every step he made. A part of him briefly thought about calling this hunt off... but he pushed on regardless.

Hardheadedness? Of course. But he could not lose. He will not lose.

So he continued along the path, coming to a stop when he brought his head up... and saw a crumbling hut. It sat some distance away, partially obscured by trees, logs, and mounds of snow. A small log cabin that looked like it was made over a decade ago, with shattered glass and a crumbling ceiling. What was it doing here? He had never seen this place before, and he lived in this forest.

For a moment, Elias thought about simply ignoring this hut. But, of course, the path he followed led straight to it. Damn. This was a trap, wasn't it? Perhaps the Silver Diamond dragged an animal's corpse here just to throw him off her trail. Or maybe she specifically led him here to corner him. She was intelligent and wily; he wouldn't put it beyond her.

But...

Elias walked forward nonetheless, while remaining alert to his surroundings. While this log cabin may house a trap, he'd never know until he sprung said trap. So he walked up to it, and stood on its porch.

Again, Elias gazed at his surroundings, searching for any sign that she'd been here. And there, on the doorway leading into the hut were strands of silver-blue hair and fur. She did walk through here, and perhaps get some of her fur caught on the entrance. Elias puffed up his chest at the sight of it... gave a deep breath... and then walked inside.

Thund... Thund... Thund...

The sound of his footsteps bounced off the small walls of the log cabin, and rang back into his ears. Inside this small hut was... a crumbled chair... a broken table... and a crushed bed. Perhaps this place served as some hunter's home years ago? Elias let his bow drop as he pondered the origin of this place, while his brown eyes slid along its surfaces... only to come to a halt at the window.

Blue eyes were looking back at him.

Elias flinched and pulled back. Just as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished among all the snow and ice outside. Her silver-blue body was perfect camouflage in its own right, helping her blend in with her environment like the ghost many thought she was.

But for as sudden as Elias' shock was, it just as quickly vanished. He was a trained hunter, and had successfully taken down the most wily of foes in his time. She would not get the upper hand on him!

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! CRUNCH!

The Silver Diamond's feet pounded all around him, slamming the wooden chunks of the huts porch, crunching through the snow, even rattling off the walls and ceiling. They all came from around him, making it difficult to pinpoint where she was. One moment she sounded to be on his right, the next she sounded to be on his left, then behind him, then in front of him, then above him, and even below him!

Intimidation... she was trying to intimidate him. If he were a lesser hunter, he'd probably be frightened. But he was neither frightened nor overconfident. Taking a deep breath, Elias prepared his bow and turned to face the door. Through it, he saw the forest on the other side, and headed towards it.

And in that second – that split second – he heard...

Swoop...

And he braced for impact.

In a silver-blue blur, the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest swung from the doorway of the hut like a gymnast swinging on bars. Feet first she slammed into Elias, who raised his arms just in time to defend himself from the full brunt of her attack. He was knocked back, where he slammed against the already broken chair in this hut, causing it to shatter to pieces even further.

His head was fuzzy; dazed... but not dazed long enough before his senses straightened. Blood pumping through his veins, Elias looked up... just in time to watch the Silver Diamond fall atop him.

All of life seemed to move in slow motion for him. He saw her in all of her voluptuous and powerful glory. Her shapely figure... her amazonian build... her pristine fur... and her crystal-blue eyes. Crystal-blue eyes that seemed to glow with this paranormal power.

SLASH! THRAAAK!!!

Her claw fell, strong enough to rend flesh and probably crush bones. But instead of pinning him down by his neck or head, Elias moved out of the way just in time, causing her to slam her palm into the weak floorboard of the cabin they were in. Wooden planks and chunks were uprooted by her strike, while Elias performed a cartwheel backwards, causing his foot to come so close to striking her in the chin.

But she pulled back.

He did likewise.

And the two quickly got back onto their feet.

In the tight confines of this abandoned hut in the middle of a frost-laden forest, Elias and the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest sized each other up. She stood there, her fur and hair wild, with claws extended, and her legs and arms stretched out wide to cover as much space as she could. With her height and stature, it wasn't difficult.

But it was her eyes which attracted him the most, and how bright they were. To many, the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest was like a ghost. She almost always appeared in the distance, and with her silver-blue fur and her deft nature, it was like she had the eerie ability to shift in and out of existence. Many hunters have spoken of how they'd catch a glimpse of her, blink, and in that moment, she'd vanish.

For someone like Elias, who encountered her frequently, the Silver Diamond wasn't a ghost, just a very powerful wolfess. But right here and right now, as she stood before him in the darkness of the log cabin, her body casting a shadow upon him, her face expressionless, and her crystal-blue eyes glowing, she truly felt like a ghost... and a vengeful ghost at that.

He should feel fear. He should feel fear. He should feel fear.

But he didn't.

Bows and arrows... they were meant for range. And this log cabin did not give him an advantage in the least bit. Perhaps entering inside of here was stupid... but he needed to spring the Silver Diamond's trap. Besides...

Elias was confident in his ability to defend himself, even in a cramped place like this.

SWOOSH!

The Silver Diamond rushed at him, her claw cutting through the air with such speed and power that the wind seemed to ring. Any lesser man would have been impaled by her darting claw and incredible reach. But Elias juked to the side just in time, causing her to instead cut through his cloak. Shreds of fabric filled the air as the Silver Diamond stepped forward, before she quickly pivoted and slashed at Elias again. But he raised his bow, just in time...

THOK!

Her claws struck his bow. It was made of a thick and durable wood, and reinforced with metal plating that gave it a powerful shape and greater defense. Elias barely moved when the Silver Diamond struck her, giving him the ability to pull back and lift up his bow again when she stepped forward, and--

SLASH! THOK!

Struck again.

And she struck again. And again. And again and again and again and again and again! And each strike – each strike – Elias perfectly defended himself. Her claws always struck his bow, and despite her incredible power, Elias never moved more than an inch. His bow didn't even break, even though she was far stronger and faster than he was.

Yes. The hunter was just fast and strong enough to block, dodge, and deflect her bows. But he never thought about striking back, because he knew how foolish that would be. If he pushed himself too far, he'd open himself to be stricken. And if she struck him, he'd die.

He couldn't compete with her physically, but he could outsmart her. It would be difficult... but not impossible.

SLASH!

The Silver Diamond's claw struck once again, where it ghosted along his body just barely. But he angled and positioned himself juuuuuuuust right, so that instead of tearing through flesh, she tore through a strap holding up one of his bottles. The bottle fell... and it must have been made of some brittle glass, because the moment it struck the ground...

Krraassshh! Sprrrriiisssssssshhhhh!

“Huh?”

The container shattered into pieces, and an opaque fog filled the air.

The Silver Diamond pulled back, while Elias ducked down, allowing his smokescreen to cover him completely. Soon, the entire cabin – from corner to corner to corner to corner – was filled by his smog, rendering it impossible to gaze a few feet forward. The wolfess twisted left and right, searching through the fog as best she could with her teeth shown in full. She couldn't see the hunter, but she could smell him... she could hear him...

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Punch!

“Nghh!?”

A fit slammed into her stomach. Not enough to cause lasting pain, but certainly enough to catch her off guard. This was followed by another Punch! and another Punch! Each one struck her body, be it her side, her stomach, her chest. But just like the first punch, they were never anything more than glancing blows. Certainly Elias could hit her harder than this, right? So why wasn't he? This was just starting to frustrate her!

Kick!

“Nggh!?”

A sudden blow to her back caused the Silver Diamond to step deeper into the smokescreen, where she quickly turned around with her claws cutting through the air. But instead of striking Elias, she saw his silhouette as he stood at the entrance to the log cabin. Now he was the one with the light at his back, as she could just barely make out the visible scowl on his face.

“Hrrraaaaah!”

The Silver Diamond leaped at the hunter, dispersing the smokescreen and clearing the log cabin they were once in. But rather than tackling him to the ground, she was instead greeted by a face full of snow.

A low rumbling growl left the wolfess as she pulled herself up, her crystal-blue eyes glaring upward to see the hunter. Elias stood next to a tree, his bow drawn, as if ready to counterattack at a moment's notice. But she wasn't afraid. He could fire off a thousand arrows in a second, and she'd dodge each and every one. No, instead of feeling fear, the Silver Diamond felt annoyed.

“Grrrrrrrrrrrgggg...!”

Hunkering down on all fours, the Silver Diamond locked her eyes upon Elias, and quickly performed another pouncing leap. But just like last time, instead of pinning the hunter to the ground, he ducked just in time, causing her to careen overhead. She landed safely on the ground however, and then twisted to face him, still growling as her blue eyes glowed.

Elias was already running.

Face tightening and teeth gritted, the Silver Diamond rushed after Elias, chasing him down as he sprinted down the winter woods. Snow and ice were uprooted by his boots and her feet, while glimmers of sunlight caused their shadows and the shadows of the trees to stretch on near endlessly. Through it all, the wolfess focused entirely on catching her prey, while the hunter...

Suddenly turned.

Making a hard right, he quickly bolted into another direction, causing the Silver Diamond to rapidly skid to a halt, before turning around to rush after him. Along the way, she noticed a log to the side, and quickly picked it up. Taking aim at her target, she pulled the log back, and--

“FAAH!”

Threw it forward, sending it spiraling towards him like a missile. But as time and time before, Elias dodged that too, ducking down and sliding forward, causing the log to careen harmlessly overhead, where it slammed into the snow some distance away. The hunter didn't even lose an ounce of speed before she snapped back onto her feet and kept rushing forward.

She was focused on him. She was completely focused on him, absolutely ignoring the area around them. Why should she pay attention to it? She knew this place better than him, having lived in the forest for years. This was her domain, and the claw marks she left on the trees were signs of this. These trees, the snow beneath his feet, even Elias himself, all belonged to her. Nothing could catch her off guard, nothing, but...

“Gurk?”

This... smell.

THIS HORRIBLE SMELL!!!

The Silver Diamond came to a halt and as she brought her hand up to her nose. Eyes wide and face one of sheer confusion, the wolfess stammered in place, trying desperately to block this horrendous odor that forced its way into her nostrils. It was powerfully rancid, smelling like decaying flesh, vomit, defecation, and gods knows what else! And with her sensitive and powerful nose, she could smell aspects of it that no one else could, making this feeling even worse!

What was this!?

Through the atrocious smell, the Silver Diamond glared forward. Elias had stopped and turned to face her, as if aware of this sinister stench. Dammit, this was his doing, wasn't it? He had spread this odor around to disorient her! But if he thought that would allow him to easily turn the tables, he was wrong. The moment he readied his bow, she prepared herself to dodge his strike.

Elias fired. The arrow flew straight. When it was just a few inches shy of her face.

Grab!

She caught it in midair, stopping it from penetrating her face.

But that's what he wanted her to do, for this arrow wasn't a normal arrow. Instead of having an arrow's head at the tip, it had a small balloon. And this balloon popped.

Burst!

“Gah!? AAAACCCCKKGH!?!?!?”

And it was that fucking smell again!

The balloon burst, filling the air with its intense and rancid odor. But this time, it was even worse. This time instead of being spread on the trees or on the ground, the stench was directly in her face. The Silver Diamond was quick to drop the arrow and step back, recoiling like she'd been stricken in the face. She even covered her head, trying to both block the odor from entering her nose, while also trying to rub it away.

It wasn't working.

Making matters worse, the terrible stench seemed to affect more than just her sense of smell. Like one hundred sliced unions, it began to irritate her eyes, causing tears to swell in her eyes, and causing her vision to blur. Try and try she did to glare through her deteriorating vision, but all she saw was the vague shape of the hunter who faced her.

This is the true curse of intelligence. Any normal animal would know to just... run away. They couldn't smell and now they could barely see; hunting down one man was not worth it. It was best to retreat and wait until this odor stopped affecting her. But the Silver Diamond was far, far smarter than some common wolf who hunts in these woods. And with that intelligence brings hardheadedness. She refused to stop now, refused to lose!

The vague shape of the hunter... that's all she needed...

Even with the air smelling of stench, and her vision relaying nothing but vague shapes, the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest rushed towards Elias. His blurry shape – more like a blob than a man – quickly pulled out of the way of the wolfess, running forward once again.

Her movements had become more sluggish, more sloppy now that his smell had affected her. She was running into more objects, like trees and logs, causing her to trip and fall forward. But each time she did, her anger only grew, forcing her back onto her feet, and driving her forward more and more.

The Silver Diamond had fallen to all fours by now, barreling towards Elias like a cannonball. Nothing could or would stop her. Nothing could even slow her down. She wasn't going to stop, couldn't stop! Not until she finally caught him in her arms!

And she saw it all! She saw the moment she'd grab him into her arms, making him submit... and give him the deepest kiss he had felt in his entire life. And he would submit, because she was the superior hunter, and she was going to prove it! All of his tricks were just that: tricks, and nothing more. None could fell her.

None could...

And that's what she believed, 100%. That she was flawless, perfect even. Until finally...

Finally...

Snag!

“Ghh!?”

Something struck her foot. Something thin and made of rope. Something that was almost impossible to notice with all the snow and ice covering the forest. If her vision was unimpaired like normal, she would have noticed it like an eagle seeing a mouse. But she didn't see it. All she saw was Elias' blob, standing completely still as she caught her foot on one of his traps.

Thwip! SNNRRRRRRGGGGH! SNAG!

“GAH!?”

A net shot upwards. The Silver Diamond lost her footing on the ground as the trap flew up into the air, suspended by the frostbitten canopies above her. Gazing up and around, her mouth agape and eyes wide, the wolfess gawked in disbelief.

She was caught? She got caught by this stupid net trap!?

She tried kicking at the net, but that did nothing. She then extended her claws and started cutting at the net, but that did nothing as well. She then began swinging back and forth to hopefully dislodge the net from where it was held up, but that did nothing too! This wasn't just a trap made to catch animals, this was a trap made to catch her specifically.

And it worked!

But the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest wasn't going to just sit there and do nothing. She swung back and forth more and more, kicked more and more, scratched more and more... only for her actions to rival that of a child throwing a tantrum. Down below however, her ears perked up at the sound of boots walking through snow and ice. They came closer and closer, causing her flailing to come to a stop as she gritted her teeth and looked down.

He was there...

Elias looked up at the Silver Diamond, a smirk on his lips as he swung a pair of handcuffs around on his finger in a taunting manner. She stared back at him with her teeth gritted, still frothing at the mouth like some baleful beast. But the sight of him, smugly standing there as his handcuffs triggered this 'Dink! Dink! Clink!' noise, caused her body to slump down and her anger to subside as she grew more annoyed than enraged.

The silence of the forest wrapped around them, buffeted by the noise canceling of the snow. It was like the both of them were trapped in a void, one occupied only by the other. The Silver Diamond continued leering at the hunter, who himself taunted her with the handcuffs he held.

“Tch... you cheated, Elias,” said Devana as she propped her head up with her hand.

“Not cheated. Outsmarted,” he retorted, “I couldn't hope to match you physically. Even with how skilled my archery is, you'd dodge all my arrows like an eagle in the sky. If I wanted to best you, I'd have to use some tricky tactics. Besides...” he shook his head, “When it comes to hunting, all that matters is the outcome.”

“Tch... okay, okay,” she rolled her eyes, “Just... let me down now...”

“Heh heh heh...! No. Not yet,” he said as he shook his head, “First...” he raised the handcuffs, “Let's get you locked up.”

“What!? Tch! Is that really necessary?” Devana growled, to which Elias nodded.

“Of course it is,” he answered, “The Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest is a very dangerous and intelligent wolf. I can't risk you turning the tables on me as soon as I get you down from the net. And I'd rather not use a tranquilizer on you to subdue you. That'll make you sluggish and difficult to bring back to my house. So instead...” he taunted her with the handcuffs again, “Be a good girl and stick your hands through the net. I'll let you down as soon as you're bound.”

Tch. What a cocky little prick. He was enjoying this far more than he should. It was annoying, and frustrating... but Devana couldn't help but find enjoyment with how he teased and taunted her. A begrudging smile even appeared on her lips as she stuck her hands through the net, letting Elias wrap handcuffs around her, binding her in place.

“Good girl,” he said, “Okay. Let's get you back. I have to clean the goods.”

“Tch... yeah, yeah...”

With her wrists bound by powerful cuffs, Elias let her net down softly to the ground and opened it up, freeing the wolfess. Keeping his hand on her chain, the hunter tugged upon them, forcing Devana onto her feet. She continued glaring at him with an expression both annoyed and begrudged, while he enjoyed the power he lorded over her.

Cocky prick. She'd punch that smile off of his face if he was anyone else... but... he admittedly had a pretty cute smile. Besides, even if she wanted to be indignant, he did win, and he performed rather well at that. Not just in outsmarting her, but in successfully combating her as well.

But was it enough to prove him superior? Sure, no hunter could do what he'd just done, but was it enough to prove himself the superior hunter? In her mind and in his, it wasn't. What's the point in successfully trapping the Silver Diamond if she's just going to escape later? Noooo, he needed to truly prove himself superior, and the best way to do that was by making her stay.

And they both had an idea of how he was going to do that.

Traveling through the forest, Elias tugged upon Devana's chains, guiding her towards his home. The familiar sight of it coming into view spurred something within the wolfess, something new and different. She even tilted her head from side to side, confused by what she was experiencing. Elias was more focused however as he opened the door to his home, and entered inside. And as they walked through the small home...

“Tch... is this really necessary?”

They entered the bathroom.

“Of course it's necessary,” Elias replied with a wry grin as he pulled her chain over, locking her against a nearby post, “A ranger's job does not end when their prey is captured or killed. No, in order for one – such as I – to get the most payment out of my game, I must perform the ever so delicate procedure of cleaning you.”

“Tch...! You act like you're actually going to sell me on the market,” she growled in slight annoyance.

“Considering how much they'd pay for you, I just might,” he replied sarcastically, garnering a roll of her eyes.

The bathroom that Elias used was different from the cleaning room he used to prepare his game. Obviously; it's not really smart to bathe in the same place a bunch of carcasses have moved through, even if he kept the cleaning room itself rather clean. Rather, he would 'clean' the Silver Diamond in his personal bathroom, which was a small room with a clean, white, porcelain bathtub resting in the corner.

Guiding Devana up and over towards the bathtub, Elias shot her a wry grin as he laid her down in the tub, causing her to glare and even growl at him.

“You're having too much fun with this...” she grumbled, before--

Click!

“What?”

Devana looked up. The chain that kept her handcuffs bound, had been attached to a handlebar at the top of the tub, keeping her arms raised above her head. The wolfess shook against them, but unless she wanted to try and tear through the bathtub in its entirety, she wasn't going anywhere.

“Eliaaaasssssss!” she growled, only to again be stunned by a sudden--

Sprrriiiiitttttzzzz!

“Nnggh!?”

The water spout above her head suddenly turned on, pouring water upon her. At first it was cold, but it quickly turned warm and more comfortable. Still, she was being blasted by a face-full of water, causing her to twist and turn one way then the other. When she looked through the water, all she could see was the vague shape of Elias' body as he stood outside the tub.

His brown eyes gazed upon the wolfess, watching her beautiful silver-blue fur glisten as the water fell upon her. Her beautiful body, her erotic curves, her shimmering pelt; all of it glowed as the light from his tub bounced off the reflective sheen of the water that covered her. And with her completely nude before him, every aspect of her body was free to be gazed upon. From the abs on her stomach, to the curvaceous shape of her hips, to the heft of her bosom; Devana was primal beauty incarnate. A body honed through years of dedication, and it showed.

Elias could sit here marveling at her body for hours. The way it looked, the way it moved, how she took such great pains to make sure it was clean of any dirt and grime despite its shade. The Silver Diamond was truly the perfect model of a wolfess. She should have been sculpted and placed in a museum somewhere ages ago.

But...

But now wasn't the time to sit here and marvel. He had to break her, remember? To truly make sure she knew who was superior. His chest tightened as he pondered it... before he straightened up.

Fwump! Fwimp! Clack!

“Grrrgbbblhe!? Wh-what the!?”

Devana's ears twitched. She heard Elias remove his clothes, but with the water falling on her face, she still couldn't see him. Rather, she saw the blurry image of his body once again rise up above her as he climbed over and into the bathtub.

Whump!

“Buaah!?”

She felt his presence as he joined her in the tub. But with the water still falling on her head, she couldn't see him. Just the vague shape of his hand as he reached down towards her... and pushed his hand to the back of her head, where he tightly

Grab!

“Guh!”

Elias was a short man, but he was a damn strong man. He needed to be strong in order to wield that bow of his. It blessed him with incredible upper-body strength, and he had no qualms using said strength when it best suited him. This was one of those times.

Grabbing Devana by the back of her head, Elias pulled her out from under the water. Her usually long and flowing hair was now wet and stringy, and fell on her face, obscuring half of it. And with her mouth agape, she was panting for breath as her crystal-blue eyes could finally see him.

This young, short, fit man, with his strong muscles, glowing too as the water of the tub left him shimmering. He was just as naked as she was, only while she was bound, he was completely free to do whatever he pleased to her.

Forced to sit up and look at him, Devana watched as he pulled his hand back to instead grab some soaps nearby. His grin was gone as he appeared more pensive and serious while grabbing the bottle. And after pulling off its top...

Squuuuuiirrrttt!

He oozed the contents of the translucent lotion upon Devana's body, starting with her head. Closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she felt the cold touch of the soaps touch him, while its scent filled her nose. Hm... it smelled like... apples. Delicious apples among pinewood.

“Gaaah! D-dammit, Elias!” she growled as the soaps turned into frothy white suds, “Y-you don't have to go this far...!”

“Oh, I'm sure I do,” he replied as he began dragging his hand through her scalp, working the soaps into her hair, “I have to make sure that you are squeaky clean. No snow, no sweat, no blood, no nothing... heh heh!”

“Mrgrggrrgg...! Blrrggh!?”

Back under the water she was dunked, her eyes closed and teeth gritted as her annoyance continued to mount. He was really lording his power over her now, and she was coming close to breaking through these chains to throttle him. But, no, they were too damn strong, even for her strength! Yes, these were the bounds he used for particularly powerful beasts. Elias always kept them in storage just in case he needed to catch something strong and alive.

As the waters continued cascading down her body, the soaps too made her flesh and fur glow. Pulling back, Elias dragged his hand along his brow as he took in the sight of her body, watching as she twisted one way to the other with her teeth gritted while wearing this face of annoyance.

“D-dammit, Elias!” she growled, “Grrrgh! I-I'll get you for this!”

“No you won't,” he replied as he grabbed a nearby wash cloth, “What we did outdoors was just foreplay. Here? This is the real battle.”

Holding the rag under the water, Elias got it all wet and covered in soaps, before bringing it back down to apply it to Devana's body. He started with her neck, and gently dragged the cloth down upon her clavicle, and then her chest. Such big and shapely breasts; they bounced and curved as he dragged his cloth along her flesh and fur. Her nipples too – so hard and pink – were left lathered in water and soap, which sensually streaked down her voluptuous chest.

“Aaah! Ngghh! F-fuck,” Devana groaned, “I...! Nggghh! I shouldn't have let you put these damn things around my wrists!”

But Elias didn't answer, instead focusing more on dragging the cloth along Devana's breasts. Having been with her for so long, he knew her every weak spot, and he had no qualms abusing them to break her further under his whims. Such as this area right here, right beneath her left breast. When he scratched at it...

“Haaah-haaaah~~~!?”

The Silver Diamond's legs locked up and her back arched off the bathtub's floor, causing her breasts to bounce before Elias' gaze. She didn't mean to, but it was as if she were presenting more of her chest to the hunter, and he had no qualms abusing it.

Grab! Squuuueeeeezzeee!

“Nnggh-haaah-haaaaah~~~!”

Dammit, he was toying with her! His hands – both with the cloth and without it – mercilessly teased up and down her body, working those soaps into her flesh and fur. Devana's upper torso twisted from one side to the other and she gritted her teeth, trying her damnedest to keep her voice in... but utterly failing to do so. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't stop the--

“Haaah~! Aaahh~ Haah~! Grrrgghh~~!”

From leaving her lips.

And it all sounded so wonderful to hear.

Elias paused for a moment and pulled back to gaze upon his handiwork. The Silver Diamond's head was still under the water spout of the tub, while the rest of her body glowed bright from all the soaps. All he needed to do now was properly clean off all this soap, but... haha... no, not yet.

They were about to get much dirtier. Save the soaps for a little later...

Naked as he was, Elias stood tall over Devana. She still couldn't see him with all that water falling in her face, so she didn't notice him loom over her chest. But she felt his presence, could feel the heat from his body right as he...

Sit!

“Gugnh!”

Sat down upon her abs.

The Silver Diamond stared up as best she could. Elias was straddling her body, with his cock having stiffened to maximum length and width. It stood tall between his legs, throbbing with a needy desire to feel pleasure. And as he sat before her, he had the perfect place to please himself.

Grab! Pusssssshhh!

“Grrrggth! Th-the fuck are you doing!? Grrrgggh!”

With both hands to the sides of Devana's breasts, Elias pushed them together, creating this tight gap. And with that tight gap formed, he pushed his dick between them, spreading apart her tits to hold his cock. On both sides he felt the Silver Diamond's luscious fur and warm body cradled his length like the world's most perfect pair of pillows.

Big, busty, firm, pillows!

Shluck! Shluck! Schluck! Schwuck!

“Grrrggh! Ggaahah ~~~! D-dammit! Why's it...! Ngghh~! So fucking hot~? Aaauugh~~~!”

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, Elias humped against Devana's chest, pumping his cock through her tits. She felt every thrust of his penetrating dick, as the head of it poked through her firm breasts, just to pull back, and push in, and pull back; again and again and again. His movements were slow yet weighty, letting her feeeel the fullness of his length – its texture, its heat, its size and length – as he pushed it through her breasts at a rhythmic pace. Not fast, but certainly not slow; just right.

“Haaah~! Aah~ Haah~! F-fuck! Gghh~!”

Damn was it so hot. It felt like he was pushing a molten rod of steel through her breasts! And from the tip he oozed his precum, which – despite all the water falling upon her and soaps as well – she could still feel as it spread out between her two tits.

“Haaah... the Silver Diamond... has such amazing breasts,” said Elias as he thrusted through her tits, “Hggh... I think... I'll make them mine.”

“The fuck did you say!?” Devana growled, “Grrgh! Wh-what does that even mean!?” SHLUCK! “AAH~!?”

With a mighty pump, he slammed his dick through her tits once again, sending them bouncing back against her chin. The Silver Diamond's head jerked back as the hunter's cock began pumping through her breasts; again and again and again. She felt it all; the swelled head of his penis, the veins that ran along its shaft, even his balls as they shifted along her abs! And it was all amplified by the weight of his body bearing down upon her, and the water which continued falling on her head.

“Grrrggh~~! Th-this is fucking cheating! Gaah~!”

“Is it really?” said Elias as he continued thrusting through her tits, “I wouldn't say so. Survival is of the fittest, right? I'm sure some of the prey you've hunted would argue that you cheated them too. Heh...! I'm just trying to prove that I'm stronger than you.”

“Like hell!” SHWAP! “Auughh~!”

“But survival is more than just physical strength! It takes tactics. Haaah!”

“Grrrgh ~~! Wh-who the hell do you think you're talking too about 'survival'!? Nggaha~~~! I-I know thaaaa--” SHLUCK! SHWAP! SHLACK! SHWAP! “AAAAATTT~~~!!!”

“Ggraaaaaahh...!”

Elias' moan filled the air, mixing with Devana's as his hip thrusting grew even quicker. He was outright ramming his dick through her tits, making them bounce and bounce and bounce some more! And with all the soaps and all the water that drenched their bodies, his length was practically gliding through her tits. The slips, slides and stabs of his dick through her tits sent pleasure racing through the both of them, while his flat hips striking the bottom of her tits sent water and soap 'SMACKING!' about. And as the feeling grew greater, Elias gritted his teeth, clinched her breasts together even harder, and--

“HMPH!”

Shlip!

“Nmmph~!?”

Devana's eyes grew wide. With one strong push, the head of his cock pushed into the wolfess' mouth. Her eyes grew wide, overwhelmed and surprised by the sudden taste of his hot cock as it parted her lips apart. But it did not last long before he pulled his hips back, drawing his length from her lips. The Silver Diamond groaned... only to again be filled with--

Shlip!

“Nnnnph~~~!?”

And it continued on like this. Elias fucked through Devana's tits, pushing his cock along her firm breasts, and forcing the head of his length into her mouth. Again and again and again, she was filled with the hot and salty taste of his length, as well as the bitter flavor of his precum. And there was nothing she could do to stop him. He was atop her body, using his full weight to keep her pinned to the bottom of the bathtub, while her arms were bound above her head thanks to those chains. All the wolfess could do was sit there with her mouth agape, taking his length through her tits and into her maw again and again and again.

His taste was getting stronger. Even with the waters of the tub cascading upon her head to dull her senses, she still could taste every inch of his length, and feel the heat and weight of it. She moaned around him, her lips pursing harder to taste his length, sending the sounds of her erotic groans reverberating throughout his body. All the while.

Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap!

He kept fucking her tits, grinding and gliding his length through her breasts. They bounced, and bounced, and bounced some more, while his balls grew hard and tight. And once his pleasure finally reached its zenith...

“Nghh!”

“NMMMMFFF~~~!”

Elias slammed his length into her maw... and unleashed a spread of jizz which rushed to fill out her maw. It spread out, firing off ropes of cum which completely coated her teeth, gums and tongue, almost as if he had been backed up for months on end! Devana flinched and closed her eyes as her mouth was filled with his corrupting seed... but Elias did not stop there...

Shlip!

“Gah~”

Without warning, he pulled his dick from her mouth as his climax continued. Grabbing the back of her head, he forced the Silver Diamond upright so that he could cum all over her face. Sticky strands of creamy seed marred her features, before slowly oozing down her features in this glazing facial of cum and spunk. And with her head no longer under the waters of the spout, his seed remained.

For a few moments, the two sat there, panting for breath. Elias gazed upon his handiwork, watching as his seed oozed down Devana's face. One of her eyes were closed thanks to the cum marking her, and some of his seed even got into her hair making it all stick. Her mouth hung open as well, with the seed he spread within oozing down her tongue in this glistening trail of sinful fluids.

With the one crystal-blue eye open, Devana looked back up at Elias. He may have been short, but in this position above her, all she saw was the strength within his body. Those strong muscles, that athletic physique, the way he held her head; he was so... mighty.

“Grrrrrgggh...! Daaah...! D-dammit, Eliassss,” she growled, attempting to remain abrasive.

Elias pulled back, lifting off of Devana's body and freeing her. She laid back against the back of the bathtub, now freely allowing the water from the spout to pour on her face, cleaning away the cum that marred her. Resting there and breathing hard, her chest heaved up and down, while Elias positioned himself down towards her crouch.

Pussh!

“Grrggah...? Wh-what are you doing?” said Damian as her legs were pushed up and spread apart.

Elias gazed down. Before him was Devana's pussy, bright, pink, and glistening thanks to her nectar. Placing his hands down upon her pelvis, the hunter palmed at her moist mound, where he gently stroked his thumbs along her cunt.

“Gah!? Wh-what the...!? Nngghhh~~~”

Devana shuddered as her thumb began sliding up and down her slit. Her nectar – so hot and sticky – was dragged out in thick strands like the webbing of a spider, as Elias did his best to avoid the waters of the tub. Biting into her bottom lip, the wolfess' legs began to buck and twitch, while the teasing touches to her cunt sent taunting pleasure throughout her body.

“S-slow the... gaaah~ fuck down~” she moaned, “Haaah~! Your thumbs...!”

If there's one thing an archer knows how to use, it's their fingers. To many, pulling the drawstring back on a bow appears easily. You just pull, right? Wrong. There's an elegance to wielding a bow... and a strength to wielding a strong bow. And all of Elias' bows were strong bows.

After many years of wielding bows, Elias was blessed with powerful fingers. And more importantly... he knew how to use them.

Puuuuuuuusssssshhh!

“HRRRRGGGHKHHH ~~~! F-FUCK~~~! WH-WHAT THE~~~!?”

Elias' fingers pushed into Devana's cunt, spreading apart her tight walls and exposing her pink depths. Such a strong pussy for such a strong wolf; her labial lips were toned and strong, her pinks were so bright, and her tunnel had this possessive grip to it. When his fingers delved inside, she clung to him, and wrapped his digits in her lurid fluids.

She was one hell of a wolfess... but he knew how to make her scream.

Shluck! Shluck! Shluck! Shluck! Shluck! Shluck! Shluck!

“Haaah~! Aah~! Haah~! Haah~! Aah ~~! F-fuuuccckk~~~ ”

In and out, in and out, in and out, at a rhythmic pace, Elias thrusted his fingers in and out of Devana's cunt. Her legs bucked and twitched, coming close to outright kicking him, while he explored her depths with his talented fingers. His digits – so strong yet deft – scraped along her tight vaginal walls, prying them apart, while teasing and toying with the many folds within her.

A sliver of drool hung out of Devana's mouth and her nostrils flared, giving these desperate and bestial groans that filled the air. With the water still falling on her face, she had to keep her eyes closed, meaning she was forced to focus on the assault of touches raining down on her crotch. The fingering, the scraping, the the way he spread her apart before letting her lips close shut; he was fucking relentless!

“S-slow dowwwwnnnn ~~~! Hnnggghh~~~!”

But he didn't slow down. In fact, her requests only served to make him do the opposite...

SHLUCK! SHLUCK! SHLUCK! SHLUCK! SHLUCK!

He got even faster.

Like a steel rivet from Ash Kingdom, Elias' fingers pistoned in and out of Devana's cunt with incredible speed. The wolfess' back arched off the floor of the tub and her pussy spasmed around his fingers, while her mouth opened wide to give a roaring howl. It bounced off the walls of the bathroom and rang back into her ears, only being marginally muffled by the sounds of the flowing water that fell on her head.

This water... this stupid fucking water!

“This is! Ngghhh ~~~! This is cheating!” Devana growled as her toes curled, “You... fucking cheateeeerrrr~~~ ” SHLUCK! SHLUCK! SHLUCK! “AAAHHH~~~!”

Cheat... huh... that was becoming her favorite word now, wasn't it?

Pulling his fingers out of her pussy with a loud 'Shlip!', Elias caused Devana to collapse upon the tub and pant for breath. The hunter then raised his hand and gazed at it, watching as her honey oozed down his digits. For a moment he paused... before leaning over and licking it off his fingers. Oh... just as amazing now as always.

Now then...

Elias' eyes returned to Devana's body. She was still laying there, still quivering, still panting... and her pussy still twitching. Funny that. Gazing at her pussy twitch like that suddenly made his mouth hungry. Very hungry. He needed to satiate that hunger.

So...

Grip! Grab! Liftt!

“Gaahh~~! Wh-what now?”

Devana couldn't see him, but she felt her legs being lifted and spread apart once again. But this time, her legs kept moving up. This time, Elias rested them on his shoulders, letting her feet dangle in the air as her lower body was lifted up to meet him. She knew what was coming, and if her face wasn't being blasted with water, she would have objected. Not because she didn't want this, but because she knew that she'd lose.

“Noooo~~~! W-wait, Elias! Let me--”

“Mmmmmff!”

“HAAAOOUUUHHH~~~!”

Elias' lips wrapped around Devana's cunt, wrapping around her almost completely. His tongue slicked and slid along her slit, moaning as her hot and spicy nectar began dancing on his tongue. With his hands on her thighs, he kept her legs open, refusing to let them clothes no matter how desperate she was to stop him. No. He was going to eat her pussy out, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.

A desperate and relentless rush of moans and groans left Devana as her body twisted and turned one way to the other. Her sensitive folds were licked and kissed upon, spreading her nectar apart, and sending jolts racing up her form. She tried to stop him by squeezing her legs in, but that would only hug him deeper!

Pussssshhh!

“HRRGH ~~~! YOU FUCK~~~!”

And then his tongue slid into her snatch. She felt it – so strong and slimy – as it began licking her folds. The deepest pinks of her pussy were explored by his talented tongue, which swirled within her like a writhing snake. And all she could do was pant desperately, as if that could stop or even slow him down.

“Eliiaaassss~~~!” she groaned, “Haah~! Aah~! Haah~! S-slow down, pleaseeeee!”

No. Her pleas – sweet though they were – fell on deaf ears. No, it was even worse. Like before when she asked him to stop his fingering, Elias' cunnilingus only doubled! He now ate her out with a voraciousness that matched her own, causing the Silver Diamond's eyes to grow wide, and her back to again arch off the floor of the tub. Her busty tits clapped together as the hunter dined on her pussy, kissing, licking, and grinding his tongue within her snatch. He then retreated, but only so he could lock his eyes on her throbbing clit.

“Nmff!”

“OH~!?”

Devana thrusted up, damn-near bashing her head against the water spout as she did so. Her clit – her sensitive, throbbing clit – he just wrapped his lips around it! Treating it like a nipple, Elias shamelessly licked, sucked, and even nibbled on her clitoris, sending ripping quakes throughout her body. And Devana could do nothing to stop it, outside of howling and pulling on her chains!

“No! Nooooo-oooohhh ~~! Haaah~~! Haaahh ~~~!” SQUUUIIRRRTTT!!! “HOOOOOUUUUUHHHH~~~!!!”

Against the sounds of the tub, one could still hear Devana's orgasm. She gushed from her folds, spreading feminine juices all over Elias' face like a bucket had been dumped on him. It was a geyser, one that steadily trickled down into a steady stream. And the hunter gleefully lapped it aaalllll up. His deep moans filled her body, flowing through her mound and traveling throughout her. Like the final bits of stimulation before he finally let her lay back down on the tub.

“Aaah~ Hah~ Haah~ Ha~”

Devana's mind was on the fritz, struggling to return to reality as the aftershocks of her orgasm continued to rock her body. All she could hear was her own panting, as well as the water that continued falling on her face. But soon, even that would come to an end...

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Spriittssshh...

The waterfall shifted into a steady stream, then to a light dribble, before fading away completely. Elias had turned off the water spout, allowing the Silver Diamond to lay there and rest. She was still recoiling from her orgasm; still coming down from her sexual high. But the hunter was not going to stop yet.

Presssssss...

“Wh-what...?”

Slide... Slide... Slide... Slide...

“N-no... n-not yet... l-let me... haaah... let me... r-rest first... haah...”

There was a brief pause...

“No...”

THRUST!

“HOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH~~~”

Just one thrust.

Just.

One.

Thrust.

With just one thrust, Elias spread apart the Silver Diamond's folds, slamming his cock as deep into her pussy as it could go. With one push, his dick delved deep into her core, forcing apart her tight and strong vaginal walls, making her back arch fully off the bathtub's floor, and making her howl so loud, the windows seemed to bend.

But even that was not enough to deter Elias.

As Devana struggled to adapt to the massive member currently filling her snatch, the hunter brought his hands up to grab the wolfess' waist. Heavy breaths left him as he gripped her hip hard, and kept pushing his length inside until finally...

Pat!

“Hgggrrrrgghhkkk~~~!”

Devana snapped upright, her teeth clinched, drool oozing out of her mouth, and her eyes rolling back. With a deep breath through her nose, she finally fell back down, panting desperately for air with heavy and ragged heaves.

He was so damn... wide! His length was always this wide. Just the way it spread her apart, and how hot it was, amplified by her recent orgasm that left her body feeling overly sensitive, left Devana reeling like she'd taken a blow to her brain. It was maddening... delirious... and yet – be it from desire or instinct – her pussy clamped hard around his member, gripping him and refusing to let go.

Elias felt all of it. He felt the gripping pressure of her pussy, and the way her folds wrapped and tightened around him. For a moment, he sat there, panting and breathing... before finally pulling his hips back. His thick and wide cock draaaaaagggggeeeeed along the Silver Diamond's pussy, making her pull up again with her teeth gritted and more drool sliding down her lips. And she remained that way until the head of his dick was just barely resting within her pussy.

And then he pushed...

PAT!

“HOUH~!?”

He pulled back... and then he pushed...

PAT!

“HAAOUHH~~!”

And he pulled back... and then he pushed...

PAT!

“GUAAH~~~!”

PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT!

Like her tits before, Elias thrusted in and out of Devana's pussy, sending waves rippling throughout her body. Her breasts bounced, her mouth split wide apart, and whorish howling moans left her maw without end. The wolfess' blue eyes grew wide as the hunter fucked her, slamming his cock in and out of her pussy with both speed and power. The more he fucked her, the tighter her pussy seemed to become, and the more her body recoiled.

And Elias drank it aaaaalllll in.

Devana – the proud and mighty Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest – was currently howling and moaning beneath him as his dick pushed in and out of her pussy. She tried so damn hard to hold herself in, but she was clearly breaking under his sexual assault. But if there's one thing Elias had in droves, it's stamina. Sure, the wolfess could go on and on and on and on and on...

But so too could he...

His face tightening, Elias began thrusting repeatedly into Devana's cunt, slamming into her with so much force that her breasts bounced up and smacked against the bottom of her chin. The wolfess recoiled and pulled back, eyes closed like she'd been slapped, all while she tugged on the chains that kept her hands bound.

Shit, shit, shit! She was struggling to even fucking think! Every thrust forced pleasure straight to her brain as his cock effortlessly punched all of her sweet spots. And when he angled his cock just slightly to the left and--

THWAP!

“HAAAAOOUUUUUHHH~~~!”

Fuck, fuck, fuck! Him knowing her weaknesses like this...! This is just fucking cheating!

With his length angled juuuuuuuust right, Elias started thrusting into Devana's g-spot. Each thrust sent a wave through her body, making her jerk back like he'd been punching her again and again and again. And he did it all with his hand on her hip, making sure she never moved too far away. No, he was going to make sure she remained in place while he thoroughly fucked her body, forcing more howls and moans of pleasure from her lips.

“HAAH~! HA~! AAHNN ~~~! HAAOOOOUUUHHH~~~! FUUUUUUUHHKKKK~~~!”

Listening to the sounds of her voice, Elias knew he could finally clinch this victory. He just had to press the attack; further and further. So he leaned in and brought over his hand, where he swung his thumb towards her throbbing clit.

And he poked it.

“HNNGGGHH~~~!?”

The Silver Diamond's eyes swelled... but Elias didn't stop there.

Left and right he rubbed her clit, stimulating it relentlessly while he continued thrusting his length in and out of her. As the swinging of his hips grew in power and speed, so too did the toying of her clitoris, causing Devana to again howl as her back arched off the tub's floor.

Elias looked up, gazing into her face. He could see her face twist and grow hard, and her teeth clinch tight enough to shatter steel into pieces. She even began pulling hard on her binds, making the steel handlebar they were attached to start to bend. Now more than ever, she was going to fucking cum, and he was going to bring it out of her!

He just needed too...

“Hnggh!”

THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! THWAP!

“HOOOOOOUUUUUUUHHHH~~~!”

Devana's howls rang even louder in Elias' ears, but he still wouldn't stop. He just kept pounding, swinging his hips away into her cunt with a relentless power, and making sure to ram his cock along her g-spot as much as he possibly could! And her clit too; he poked it, prodded it, rubbed it left and right, even pinched it, all to finally defeat her.

She was holding on – damn was she holding on – but her defenses were rapidly deteriorating. From her curling toes, to the way she pulled on her binds, to how tightly wound close her eyes were yet how wide her mouth hung open, Devana could feel herself start to lose.

“NOO-OOOHH~~~! OOOOH-HOOOOOH!!!”

“Ngh...! Th-that's it!” Elias grunted through gritted teeth as he continued thrusting into Devana, “I can feel it. Hgggh! I can feel it, Devana...! Hgnn! You're gonna cum, aren't you? Then just do it! Go ahead and fucking do it!”

“N-NO! I... GHGHH ~~~! I CAN'T~~~!” she growled back whilst clinching her teeth, “YOU...! GGHH! YOU FUCKING CHEATER~~~!”

“SUBMIT!!!”

“GRRGGHH!!! N-NO! NEVER!” Grab! “WHAT!?”

Devana's eyes opened wide. Elias had grabbed her legs... and began lifting them up. Higher... higher... HIGHER! He lifted them so high her feet dangled into the air. And then he pushed them forward. The Silver Diamond was a very limber wolfess, and he knew this... so he abused this. He abused this by pushing her legs until her back was nearly completely folded, and her feet were hanging above her head. She didn't get much time to think about this however, for Elias was leaning forward, his head hovering just above her head.

If she thought he was fucking her before, she was in for a new world now!

THWAPTHWAPTHWAPTHWAPTHWAPTHWAPTHWAP!!!

“HRRRRGGGKHH~~~!?”

Forced into this mating press, Elias once again used the full weight of his body to hold complete dominion over Devana. And his hips swung relentlessly, driving his cock in and out of her pussy without end, without limits. The wolfess could no longer defend herself, could no longer stop her body from giving way. Between the fucking, the toying with her clit, the position, her earlier orgasm, and the shape of his length, it was a wonder how she lasted this long.

But no more! No more... all it took was one last, one more, one final--

THWAP!

And Devana's eyes grew wide.

“HOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUWWWWWWW~~~!”

Just like last time, the house around them seemed to shutter from her ear-splitting roar. But to Elias, it was music to his ears.

Devana's head fell back, resting upon the basin of the bathtub. Down below, her pussy gushed with feminine juices, squirting all over the hunter's cock and balls in a messy climax. Clear, feminine juices came fast and hard, outright exploding around his dick as her sordid odor and fluids marred him completely. And at the same time, all she felt was bliss.

As her howling died down, it felt like the Silver Diamond's mind had been replaced with sheer fluff. She felt nothing, save for a numbness in her pussy, which was pounded so thoroughly. And each pound was like a blow to help beat out the flaws in molting steel. Yes, that's it.

His dick was the hammer. Her body was the steel. And his cum? Oh, his cum was the most important part.

His cum was the coolant that stabilized the steel into its new form. Although... it was significantly hotter than typical coolant...

“NNNGGHHHH~~~!?”

Devana's face twisted. Deep in her pussy, the hunter unleashed his seed, spreading cum throughout every inch of her pussy. It flowed and flowed and flowed, flooding her uterus, before rising upwards to spread throughout her pussy, and 'SPURT!' outward around his cock, making this mess of thick, hot, virile cum.

No. This wasn't just cum. This was seed, seed meant for breeding~

Devana's eyes quivered as the heat of his cum surged through her pussy, downright inseminating her like how a farmer plants seed. And perhaps it was the delirium of the situation, but the wolfess felt all of it. Gods... just thinking about it...

“Aah~!?”

Squirt!

Was enough to force one more squirting jet of feminine cum from her folds.

For several seconds, the two sat there, panting for air after their furious fucking. Releasing his hold on her legs, Elias allowed her limbs to fall, while he himself collapsed upon her chest. Between their fight in the forest and their fucking in the bathtub, he genuinely surprised himself with his capabilities. Admittedly, some of the things he did – and even thought – were more fueled by bravado and adrenaline than it was with a clear head.

But, somehow, he won.

Somehow...

Laying there on the floor of the bathtub, Elias nuzzled up against Devana's breasts, groaning as he felt her heat and power. A smile even spread out on his lips as he did so; a smile of victory. So when he pulled back, he was still wearing that smile as he sat up and looked down upon the wolfess in front of him.

Her face... it was contorted into this shameless expression. Her cheeks were puffy and red, her mouth was agape, her tongue hung from her maw, and her eyes were crossed, all as she panted as if she'd run a marathon... or four...

Bringing over his hand, Elias gently clutched her cheek and stroked his thumb along her features. Her ears twitched in response, and her crystal-blue eyes slid down, where they locked upon his face.

“E... Gulp... Elias...”

His hands traveled down, coming to her hips where he gripped her hard. Muscles flexing, he used his surprising strength to lift Devana up off the floor of the bathtub, where he pulled her into his lap. She sat atop him, her breasts resting against his chin, while her crystal-blue eyes stared longingly into his brown ones.

“Devana...” he whispered... before... “Mmmff...”

“Mmmm~~~”

Hands on his shoulders and head tilted to the side, their lips met in a kiss. The audible sound of their smacking lips bounced off the walls of the bathroom, and rang back into their ears. It was a slow paced and passionate kiss they shared, one that sent rivers of fire flowing through their blood. And then the two parted to breathe...

Chu~!

For several moments they sat there, staring into each others' eyes as they caught their breaths. The room was filled with them breathing – in and out, in and out, in and out... before a wicked smile appeared on Elias' lips.

“So... did I win?”

His question was rhetorical. He knew it. And, yes, she knew it too... even if she didn't want to admit it. A pout even formed on her face as her expression shifted into an annoyed glare... before her head dipped down.

“Haaah... you fucking... guh...” she grumbled, before looking back up, “Fine... I guess... tch... I guess you won or whatever... Nmmph~!?”

Without warning, Elias moved in again, pressing his lips to hers in a sudden kiss. Devana's eyes grew wide momentarily... but as she melted into the kiss, her eyes slid shut. Clutching the hunter close, she embraced him, deepening their kiss they shared against the rim of the bathtub.

This? Yes, this. They'd share this.

Together.

…

Who is the Silver Diamond of Ryse Forest? Who is Devana? Where did she come from, and why did she abandon her life to live among the wildlife in the woods? Assuming she had a life to abandon in the first place?

Many times these questions filled Elias' head. They've been together for months, and yet he still knew so little about her past. Devana was blunt, strong, and always said what was on her mind without hesitation. But she was also cunning, stealthy, and surprisingly secretive when she needed to be.

It made Devana an odd person to get a gauge of. On one hand, he never felt like she was hiding something from him, and due to all the time they've spent with one another, he knew he could trust her, 100%. But on the other hand, the fact that he didn't know who she was or where she came from, kept this air of mystery about her that just refused to go.

Days ago, Elias wondered if he was worthy of Devana at all. Now, he wondered if he even knew who Devana was.

“Here,” her voice suddenly said from behind, “Some hot chocolate.”

Elias looked over his shoulder. The fireplace of their home was burning with a light flame, while outside fell snow which collected atop itself to rise up several feet, all as it was overlooked by the night sky. And standing there behind him with two cups in her hand was Devana, her eyebrow raised curiously while she wore her long-sleeved sweater, and nothing else.

“Elias...?”

“Ah... thank you,” he said whilst taking a cup from her, “Fuuh... hot chocolate on a snowy day like this... it's perfect, isn't it?”

“That's why I made it,” she replied as she sat down on the couch next to him, “So drink up and enjoy it. It's only going to get colder through the night before the sun rises.”

Elias nodded before bringing the cup of hot chocolate to his lips. When the first touch of the scalding liquid met his tongue, it both burned him... and tasted so good. He gave an audible groan of pleasure, impressed by its flavor and perfection... which caused him to look over at Devana. She had one leg crossed over the other and her hand on her mug's handle, tipping it back to take sip after sip after sip.

“Nmm... it tastes amazing, Devana,” he said, making her raise an eyebrow and look at him.

“Heh... of course it is,” she said, a coy smirk spreading on her lips, “I made it.”

“Yeah. You did,” Elias replied... before tilting his head, “It actually makes me wonder something... uh... may I ask you a question, Devana?”

“If it's another request to hunt me, you'll have to wait 'till later,” she said offhandedly, “You already won today and you left me fucking sore. Give me a couple of months...”

“N-no, it's not... heh... it's not that. Nothing like that,” he replied with a chuckle as he shook his head, “It's... uh... something else, actually... uh...”

“Oh? Really... then...” she shrugged her shoulders, “Go ahead... ask away.”

Closing his eyes, Elias took a deep breath, wondering if he even had the right to ask her this question. It almost felt silly doubting this however; had he not proven himself worthy of her just earlier that day? Well, yes, but this was different. This wasn't a talk of one's physical strength and capabilities, but something else. This was a question of...

Trust...

“Devana,” he said, “Where are you from...?”

The wolfess raised an eyebrow at his question, looking at him with a gaze of surprise and even awe.

“You're asking that... now?” Devana said, “Huff... that's... hff... that's rather surprising... hafu... I'm actually surprised. I thought you would've asked earlier than now...”

“Well... I've heard many rumors about wild beastkin,” Elias stated, “About how they run away from their homes for one reason or another. I never asked because... I didn't want to cause you any distress...”

“Heh heh heh...! So considerate of you, Elias.”

He smiled at her chuckling, and she smiled too... before the air between them grew silent once again. Looking away from one another, the two gazed at the fireplace in the distance, watching the flames within cackle and dance. Alternatively, they took sips of their hot chocolate, enjoying its sweet and bitter taste, while thoughts raced through their minds.

Had he said something wrong? Perhaps he was being too forward. Perhaps it was dumb of him to even ask this question at all. Clearly, she had to be sensitive about her past, right? Why else would she never talk about it? Maybe it was silly to even ask it.

Maybe...

Then again... maybe not.

Devana spoke.

“I was born in a place called Eo...”