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Chapter 3

"Elise, girl, wake up! Your Moon Stone is here!"

So shouted Marjorie as she barged into Fang's den, rousing its two occupants from their sleep. The sun had already risen, marking the beginning of a brand new day.

After quickly changing into her bipedal lycca form, Elise soon found herself briskly following the sturdily-built gray she-werewolf back to the main clearing. Fang was with them too.

"My fluffball was the first to see it, and I came here as soon as he told me!" explained the robust werebeast with the ample bosom.

Eventually, the three of them arrived to the center of the clearing, where a young-looking male lycca waited for them. He appeared to be roughly two heads shorter than the average lycca, with a bluish coat of dark fur covering a rather lightly-built body. In fact, even Elise herself, in her werewolf form, was physically more imposing than him! And completing the picture was a pair of big, timid-looking eyes on his youthful canine face. That was, of course, Fleetpaw.

"Ah, uh, good morning, Elise-vanni and Fang," he said with his usual awkwardness. "I, uh... I would believe this might belong to you..."

He gestured towards the pedestal he was standing next to. Fang and Elise walked up to it as Fleetpaw stepped aside. It was a stone pedestal adorned with ancient carvings that depicted what appeared to be stylized wolves and five-petal flowers. Its top was circular, shaped like a small basin. It featured a concave surface that was filled with crystal-clear water. Elise had seen it before. Fang himself had shown it to her on the second day. But there was something different now.

A small round stone of a dull white color lay in the water, at the center of the basin. That stone hadn't been there the first time. The werewolf girl gazed at it with wonder. It almost looked like a very tiny moon! Could that have been the reason why it was called a Moon Stone? Elise wasn't quite sure what was expected of her, and she turned to Fang, who simply nodded to her reassuringly.

"Go on, Elise. If you can reach it, it is yours," he said.

And so, after a few moments of trepidant hesitation, she reached into the water and took the small stone in her hand.

"I knew it!" jubilantly shouted Marjorie. "I knew it would be your Moon Stone, girl!"

"Indeed," nodded Fang, smiling proudly. "And the proof is that it did not reject her touch."

Elise simply turned it in her furry hand, studying it closely. It truly looked like a pebble-sized full moon! Suddenly, as she wondered about its true significance, she felt someone grabbing her left wrist and tugging it lightly. It was Anabelle, the white she-werewolf. She lifted Elise's hand and placed a piece of string on her open palm. Then she looked at her and smiled.

"There should be a claw-like hook attached to that string," explained Marjorie. "Fit your Moon Stone in there, so you can wear it like a pendant."

Elise did as instructed, and then she hung her newly-crafted Moon Pendant on her chest, tying the two ends of the string together behind her neck.

"Like this?" she asked.

"Yes, exactly like that!" enthusiastically nodded the gray she-werewolf. "Now, remember that you can't take it off at all until the Grand Alpha summons you. I can't stress this enough: if you take it off before you meet with him, it may ruin your chances of passing his test!"

"It is as Marjorie-vanni says, my love," nodded Fang, walking up to Elise and placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. "We believe that, once worn, a Moon Pendant is not to be removed without the Grand Alpha's blessing. Perhaps that is part of his test, although I cannot claim to know what role it plays in it, if any. But you need not to worry, for that string is made of a very resistant material. It will not easily break."

"A-alright, well..." said Elise. "How long do I have to wear it?"

"Until, uh... until it starts glowing," answered Fleetpaw. "When that happens, the gate to the Grand Alpha's chamber will be opened to you, and only you."

"That usually takes about three days," added Marjorie, who stood behind the smaller lycca; arms lovingly wrapped around his slender waist. "At least that was the case for me, and it was the same for Anabelle and Rose."

"Right, okay. So, three days..." mused Elise. "And you said you don't remember anything about the test, right?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Like I told you the other day, there's weird magic going on inside the Grand Alpha's chamber. As far as I know, no one who has entered it has ever remembered what happens inside. Maybe that's why the Grand Alpha never leaves his chamber in the first place, so that he won't forget himself," she theorized. "Whatever happens in there, stays in there, girl. It's just how it is."

Elise turned her gaze to the far end of the clearing. There, opposite to the entrance to Howling Grove, stood the mysterious ivory gate that led to the Grand Alpha's chamber. In three days' time, she would stand before it, and the glow of her Moon Pendant would grant her passage to whatever lay behind. Marjorie had done it, Rose had done it, Anabelle had done it...

Indeed, every vanni she had ever seen in Howling Grove had once gone through those very same steps. And, although none remembered any part of it, they all had passed the test. The fact that they were still in the grove, still soma-bonded to their respective lycca mates, was the proof.

'I can't lose Fang. I just can't. I have to pass the test, like Rose and the others did.' Elise thought to herself, trying to build the resolve she needed in the face of the unknown. 'But time is running out. I only have three days to become the best wolf I can be. If I don't hurry up... I don't know if I'll be able to balance out the sin of my blood-stained hands and prove my worth to the Grand Alpha!'

"Fang!" she suddenly shouted. "Teach me how to be a better wolf, please!"

~*~

Two feral wolves sat somewhere at the southern border of the forest of Lanea, where the flatlands began, and further beyond, the sea. A gentle breeze blew by, softly rocking the lush green blades of grass, as seagulls glided lazily, high in the sun-drenched sky.

"Beautiful, is it not?" asked the one with the darker coat of fur.

"Yes, it is, but... weren't you going to teach me how to be a better wolf?" she asked in turn.

"I am! This is my lesson for you!" he replied with a wide grin.

"Huh? B-but... what kind of lesson is this? We aren't doing anything!"

"...or are we?" he said mysteriously.

"Fang, we don't have time for this! We have to--"

"--sit back and relax, yes, I agree."

"Relax? How can I relax when in three days this might all be over?" she protested.

"Elise... Do you not trust me?"

"I-- I do, but..."

"Then, please, allow me to impart this lesson to you."

His deep amber eyes... There was a silent plea in them.

"...Fine," she finally relented.

"Thank you," he said, the warmth of his smile gracing his face once more. "Now, how about we go for a run?"

Thus, only a few moments later, both wolves were already running along the seashore, side by side. Their galloping silhouettes almost appeared to be gliding through the grass, over a sparkling backdrop of deep blue sea.

"I want you to clear your mind, Elise," he spoke as he ran. "Forget about the test. Free your soul from the shackles of your fears. Let the wind on your face blow all your worries away and focus only on my voice."

'How can he be so carefree at a moment such as this?' she wondered inwardly. 'Does he not realize that our future is at stake here?'

"I want you to remember the first time you became a wolf," he continued. "Remember the joy of running free; of being one with nature, tied to nothing. Remember the elation you felt as your instincts carried you effortlessly through the forest. Liberate your senses as you did on that day and simply feel. Do not think -- just feel."

'Ah, yes, that day. The day I first ran through the forest on the legs of a wolf. Of course I haven't forgotten how liberating that was, to just run for its own sake! Why do you think I'm trying so hard to pass that damn test, Fang? It's because I don't want to part with any of this! I... I just want to keep on running free, with you by my side, just as we are now...'

"Rose-vanni is doing a remarkably good job as your trainer, Elise. You may not realize, but you are decidedly stronger and quicker on your feet than you were before you started," he affirmed, still running. "However, I feel as though she is neglecting to teach you the most important part of being a wolf: to always have fun!"

Elise blinked, surprised. _That_was the most important part of being a wolf? To have fun?

"Unbind your spirit," he continued after a pause. "Open your heart to the truths of the earth under your galloping paws. Hear the soft, soothing murmur of the wind as it caresses your lupine ears. You were destined for this, Elise, and no one shall ever take it from you."

'Yes, I... I was destined for this,' the grayish brown she-wolf thought to herself; her Moon Pendant dangling from her furry neck as she ran alongside her mate.

"To be a wolf is to be one with the pack, running along with your brothers and sisters under the silvery protection of Mother Moon. It is to walk the earth with firm, confident steps, and to wield your fangs with pride and honor. It is to always be there for your packmates, watching their backs, secure in the knowledge that they will not hesitate to watch yours in return. And, most important of all... To be a wolf is to do all these things, and having the time of your life while doing them. That is my lesson for you."

~*~

Somewhere at the seashore, two exhausted wolves rested.

"Thank you for reminding me of what really matters, Fang," said the female one; thoroughly spent, yet happy. "I'm sorry for having been such a worrywart these past few days. I guess I let the stress get the better of me, and lost sight of what this is all about -- to just have fun!"

"Indeed! And you cannot imagine just how glad I am to see that lovely smile of yours back," responded the male one, giving her a warm smile of his own.

"So... do you think I'm ready now?"

"You were always ready, Elise. Of that, I am sure."

"Then I suppose I will have to trust you, just like I did the day we linked our somas together," she said as she smiled contentedly. The day they forged their spiritual connection had truly been the best day of her life thus far.

"The key to passing the Grand Alpha's test, I believe, is not to fear it. Especially not now that you finally understand what it truly means to be a wolf," affirmed Fang. "Whatever task he will give you in three days' time, so long as you tackle it with that resplendent smile of yours, you will be sure to succeed."

"Alright, I'll try not to worry as much anymore," she said, idly toying with her mysterious pendant. "Now, I know you said you're sure I'm ready, but I think I'm still going to keep training with Rose and the others. Despite how rough some of the exercises can get, I'd be lying if I said I don't enjoy spending time with them."

"Spending time with your friends is always a good thing. So long as you are having fun, I have no objections," he stated, pausing for a few moments to scratch himself behind his ear. "But, please, try not to let Rose-vanni put her teeth on you again, even as part of an exercise. No wolf or lycca should ever bite my Elise, no matter the reason."

"...Says the lycca wolf who bit my neck so passionately last night!" she quickly pointed out, chuckling.

"That was a mating bite. It is fundamentally different."

She laughed.

"Alright, well, it wasn't like I just let her bite me, Fang. I mean, Rose is very good at what she does! I honestly don't know how long it will take me to reach her level... or if that can even happen!"

"Yes, she certainly possesses the skillset and confidence of a seasoned huntress. Of course you will not easily defeat her in the things she excels at," he hummed. "But that is fine, because the same applies in reverse. For example, I doubt she could tell apart a stamen from a pistil, whereas you could recite all the parts of a flower with ease!"

"Huh. I'm actually surprised that you know those words."

"Well, I am mated to a particularly well-read florist, am I not?" said Fang, giving her a nuzzle. "Regardless, my point is that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. They are part of what makes every one of us unique, and it all enriches the pack in the end. Or at least that is what I believe."

Elise allowed herself a few moments to contemplate those words.

"You know..." she eventually said, "you are quite deep for a four-year-old, Fang."

Now it was his turn to laugh.

"Yes, well, we lycca mature fast compared to humans. In fact, we reach adulthood at age three! However, once we are past that point, the rate at which we age slows down to that of humans, if not a little slower."

"So... lycca live longer?"

"Slightly longer, yes. Luckily, we stay in our prime for much longer too, which is why you do not see many senile lycca in Howling Grove. But the best part is that all these things apply to you as well, since you are a lycca now! This means that when you turn sixty years old, you will still look and feel as though you were only thirty!"

"Wow! I didn't know that! The Offering of the Fangs truly is the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?"

"I told you it was the most valuable gift a lycca can give to his vanni!"

"Yes, it's amazing," she said, leaning on his flank, "but it isn't the most valuable gift you've given me."

"Oh? What gift could have been more valuable than that?"

"Well, here's a hint: it was a big, handsome wolf with dark fur, sharp fangs and glowing amber eyes," she said, nuzzling his neck softly. "A male wolf who's as gentle as he is passionate, with a spectacular tongue that can send me to the seventh heaven with just a kiss. And when he holds little me in his strong, muscular arms, well... That's when the magic happens."

"Hmm, that does sound familiar..." he said with a playful smile, joining in her little game. "One more question: this wolf you say I presented you with... Does he worship the velvety smoothness of your bare skin with the same devotion as I?"

"Oh, yes. He can do wonders with his hands."

"Well, then!" he chuckled lightly. "I certainly hope his name is Fang, or I will be very sad."

"Luckily for you, I happen to be looking at him right now."

"I... think I am too. There, reflected in your eyes... Your beautiful blue eyes..."

"Would my big bad wolf like to get a closer look?"

"Yes... I think your big bad wolf would like that very much."

Slowly, both animals leaned closer to one another. As their lips inevitably met, the female one began to shift and change, becoming human once more. At last, she pulled back; her slender, fair-skinned arms wrapped around the sturdy neck of her lupine lover. A dainty little smile graced her lips as she gazed at him through half-lidded eyes; her beautiful hair waving softly in the wind.

"Let's make some magic happen, Fang."

~*~

Waves gently rolling into the coast, lazy cotton clouds strewn across the most serene of blue skies, the call of a distant seagull... And then, on the grass, one young woman and one large wolf lay together. She was clad in only her pendant, her hands busy as she firmly stroked the fur of his neck, just the way he liked it.

"Why don't you lie on your back for me?" eventually said Elise. She didn't have to ask twice.

The big wolf, now on his back, was far too excited to prevent his long, bushy tail from wagging vigorously, and his tongue from lolling out of his panting mouth.

"That's a good boy," she said, ruffling the fur of his chest.

"Yes... I am a good boy," he replied with a contented sigh, closing his eyes to focus only on the bewitching feeling of Elise's delicate hands exploring his thick lupine fur.

"You like this, don't you?"

"I do..." he rumbled happily, his canine forelegs bent close to his chest.

Slowly, the girl worked her way to Fang's underbelly, where the fur was softer, thinner and even more pleasant to the touch. She spent several minutes in that area, rubbing up and down his belly with long, loving strokes.

"Oh, boy. This cute, giant puppy sure loves his belly rubs!" she sang not-so-innocently. Of course, by that point, something else had come out to play, but Elise pretended not to notice. 'Two can play at this game,' she devilishly thought to herself as she recalled the events that had transpired the previous night in their den.

More than once did her fingers wander dangerously close to Fang's rapidly developing problem, but she always withdrew just before making contact, every time. Soon, the writhing wolf began to whimper pitifully. In his current form, he could not assist himself effectively, and was thus entirely at the mercy of his vanni.

"E-Elise..." he quietly begged.

"Yes?"

"Please..."

"Please what?"

Oh, how the tables had turned!

"P...please, I... I beg you..."

"What is it, boy? You want me to help you with that?" she asked, feigning shock. It wasn't very convincing. "But, wouldn't that count as 'sinful behavior'? And wasn't it you who said that indulging in such acts is most unbecoming of a beautiful young lady like me?"

"Please..."

Ah, how desperately he whimpered for her touch... He was hardly even listening anymore!

Luckily for him, Elise's devilish side was satisfied at last. Thus, there was no longer a need to drag out that torture any further. Besides, the sight of Fang's impressive arousal had proven to be more and more distracting by the second. Although she wouldn't admit to it for the sake of her little 'game,' she had already been aching to touch that engorged beast herself!

"Oh, well, if I must..." she finally said with an exaggerated sigh.

And so, her delicate fingers closed around the throbbing girth, eliciting a gasp from the lying wolf. All pretenses gone, Elise made no effort to disguise how enthralled she was by the slippery warmth of its texture, her hands dancing up and down the beastly length with reckless abandon. What she was doing was so... delightfully forbidden. Truly, the freedom soma-bonded vanni and lycca can enjoy knows no bounds, for they were made for each other.

"A-anh..." Fang gasped as he felt Elise's breath so very close to his aching maleness. Her lips soon parted, and then... Oh, sweet glory of the gods! That heavenly warmth engulfing him, that angelic tongue pressing against his sensitive flesh, that slow, delicate suction... Verily, that could have been nothing other than the celestial mouth of an angel!

"Gnhh... What -ah- wondrous m...mouth you -anh- have, Elise..."

'All the better to pleasure you with, my BIG bad wolf,' she thought to herself as she firmly grasped the base, redoubling her oral efforts. Her silky tongue left no inch unattended, her lips gliding along hungrily, meticulously savoring every turgid detail. More, more, more... She wanted more. Fang's virile musk... so intoxicating. And the taste... so wonderfully addictive!

"I... I am close, Elise..." he warned her between gasps, but she had no intention of stopping.

Eventually, the tingling pressure building up deep within his loins could no longer be contained, and it inexorably erupted forth with the intensity of a collapsing dam, flooding Elise's mouth violently with his thick lycca seed as he let out a mighty skyward howl.

~*~

Ah, the fuzzy quiet after the storm of unbridled passion...

Near the seashore at the southern edge of the forest, the woman and beast lovers lay side by side in calm, companionable silence.

"That... was wonderful," dreamily stated Fang as his consciousness slowly descended from the divine plateau of ecstasy it had been brought to. "What you have so gracefully given me, Elise... was the highest honor a lycca could ever aspire to. I truly have no words to explain just how... happy I am at this very moment. So very, very happy."

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it!" she said as she stroked the fur behind his ears. "I liked it too, much more than I would have imagined. It was... a revelation -- almost like a religious experience, even. And, of course, I see no reason not to do it again some other time... Unless you don't want to, that is."

"I honestly do not think it is physically possible for me to say no to more of that!"

She laughed.

Moments later, Fang returned the favor, putting his prodigious lupine tongue to good use. Afterwards, he finished the job with a very energetic mating session. And then, only after they had recovered from that, Elise changed back into her feral wolf form and they both returned to Howling Grove.

To be continued...