FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 32

Okay, I give up, Sophia turned on her side restlessly as she stared at the red “5:00” displayed on her alarm clock. Sleep just isn’t going to be a thing.

Sitting up, she kicked off her blankets and stretched. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she began changing into the clothes she had assembled at two in the morning. Grabbing her backpack, she tiptoed to the bathroom. There, she relieved herself and grabbed a fresh pad.

Of course, it’s especially heavy today. She eyed the old blood-soaked pad warily before tossing it in the trash. I hope I don’t bleed through while out in the mountains. Changing it is going to be a real pain.

It had surprised her how different menstrual blood smelt than normal blood when her period had begun a couple of days before. When she had been able to smell it even after getting dressed, she nearly called in sick. However, she had been able to remind herself the only thing different was her own nose. After a few hours of people treating her like they always had - period or no - she had been able to get over that particular worry. Now, she herself only really noticed after taking a shower or while changing a pad.

I think my eyes have more gold flecks than a week ago, she examined herself in the mirror while washing her hands. It’s hard to tell though.

Silently making her way to the kitchen, she placed her backpack on a chair and headed to the fridge. She opened the freezer and retrieved the bag of frozen chicken she had purchased the day before. With as little commotion as she could, she set about thawing several breasts in the microwave.

Well, at least it fits the season, she scowled at the lingering smell of peppermint schnapps and eggnog. I didn’t even know he liked eggnog.

As the breasts defrosted in the microwave, she carefully retrieved a large frying pan from the cabinet and began heating some oil. It wasn’t long before her attention was drawn to the tantalizing aroma of thawing chicken. Her stomach rumbled as it reminded her the two slices of pizza from the night before had not been enough.

At least it’s not unusual that I only ate two. Her dad had been surprised when she had requested a Meat Lover’s instead of her previously preferred Supreme. Who knew pizza had so many spices anyway? They ruined perfectly good sausage and pepperoni with garlic.

At last, the microwave finished its defrost cycle and she took the chicken out. Fighting the urge to eat the still-raw chicken then and there, she slid the breasts into the hot oil. She grimaced as the chicken sizzled and splattered droplets of oil all around the stovetop. Grabbing a nearby paper towel, she quickly sopped them up before they had a chance to congeal. After several minutes, the meat started to take on a pleasing white color on one side and she flipped them, careful this time to hold a plate over the pan. When they were finished on both sides, she eased them onto a paper towel-covered plate.

I really should eat something other than meat. Her mouth salivated at the smell and sight of the golden brown breasts. When was the last time I had a piece of fruit anyway? It just smells so good…

Forcing herself away from the plate, she opened the cupboard and reluctantly grabbed a cereal box. Placing a bowl on the counter, she readied to fill it. Try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to tilt the box with such a savory delicacy in the air.

Fine, I’m a wolf today, she put the box away and grabbed the fork she had used to coax the chicken out of the pan. I made more than I needed anyway.

Juice poured out of the piece of chicken she speared and she brought it up to her mouth. Not even taking the time to sniff the piece, she took a big bite of the tender meat. A few minutes later, she was sucking the remaining juices off her fingers. Bending over, she licked up the juices that had fallen onto the counter.

Wow, that tasted sooo good today, Sophia eyed the remaining breasts as she washed her hands. No, I need to save it. Besides, this wolf-girl needs to get out of the house.

Before she could have second thoughts, she had packed the chicken into a large container and slipped it into her backpack. She then cleaned her dishes and the kitchen surfaces, taking advantage of her heightened sense of smell to locate any evidence of her culinary activities. Satisfied, Sophia headed to the front hall to put the rest of her gear on.

“Oh, right, it’s Christmas…” she said aloud as her eyes fell on the darkened tree she and her dad had decorated just a few days before in one of their rare family moments.

Damn it, now I feel guilty. Sophia stood there, every fiber of her being yearning to be out in the snow and trees. I’ll leave a note and come back a bit earlier? I owe him that much I guess.

Turning around, she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a piece of unopened mail and a pen. The front of it had a bolded “URGENT” stamped above the address window.

Huh, isn’t this from the bank my parents got the mortgage through? Sophia shrugged and turned it over. I’m sure Dad will take care of it. Now, what’s my excuse?

After a few seconds of thought, she wrote:

‘Merry Christmas Dad! Went out to meet a friend, be back later!

• Sophia’

Well, it’s true at least, Sophia left the letter on the end of the table facing the hall. It’s only 5:40 am, still really early.

Less than ten minutes later, she was suited up and out the backdoor.

I forgot how late the sun rises this time of year, Wolfgirl grasped the branch of a squat Spruce as she pulled herself up a particularly steep incline. Shadow is not going to be happy with me.

The air was bitingly cold, but under her layers, she was almost sweating. She had no idea how far she had hiked, but it had been well over an hour since she had left the house. As ever, she just headed in the general direction of the mountains until Shadow found her.

Hopefully, he’s not too far, she sank to her knees as she reached a relatively level section of the hill, struggling to catch her breath. His last territorial marker was rather faint and there’s no wind this morning.

It had been less than a month since her sense of smell had changed, but the stillness underscored just how much she had come to rely on it. Now, the random scents on the wind were notable in their absence. Combined with the relative silence and lack of moonlight, it felt even more eerie to her than it had been just a couple of weeks prior. Yet, there was something different about this particular morning.

Everything looks… weird. Wolfgirl squinted, trying to nail down what had been bothering her since getting away from the artificial lights of town. And it’s different from moonlight.

Fixing her eyes on a fallen branch further down the hill, she studied it. She could barely make out its shape, but she could definitely see it. The branch was unremarkable as far as she could tell, but her brain insisted there was something about it that was different from what it expected.

No way… Wolfgirl’s mouth dropped as she realized what seemed so uncanny. I shouldn’t be able to see that branch at all…

Her heart beat faster as she further tested her night vision. Despite the lack of ambient light, she could generally make out larger objects on the ground, including the root she had deftly evaded as she had trekked up the hillside.

That explains the lack of scratches… She continued to look around, trying to take everything in.

Panic shot through her when something pushed against the back of her head. Twisting her torso and head so fast she nearly tipped over, she found Shadow a foot up the hillside. Too late, she realized his scent was quite thick in the air. As ever, she got the distinct impression the wolf was amused by her alarm.

Damn it, I was distracted!

“You really enjoy scaring me, huh?” Wolfgirl sighed, willing her heart rate to come back to Earth.

Shadow gave her a gentle lick across her lips in response and then chuffed affectionately, ‘Love’.

“I love you too!” Wolfgirl replied softly as she nuzzled him in return. “Merry Christmas!”

‘Dark,’ the wolf whined and growled pointedly. ‘Dangerous.’

“I know!” Wolfgirl acknowledged sheepishly. “But I really missed you and I can somehow see better in the dark this morning.”

Even on the shadowed hillside as they were, she could make out Shadow’s form and the stronger contrasts of his coat. She could even see his tail as it swayed lazily behind him. After blundering around in the dark a couple of weeks before, it was a thrilling change of pace. Of course, it wasn’t his visage she found most enthralling. The wolf’s scent didn’t invoke quite the intense desire it had earlier in the month, but she was drawn to it all the same.

I’ll never be able to get enough of that. Closing her eyes, Wolffgirl leaned close to the thick fur on Shadow’s neck, drawing in his deeply masculine musk. Logan certainly has nothing on it.

‘Sick?’ Shadow let out an anxious huff and whine.

Wolfgirl blinked in surprise, “You’re sick? No, you think I’m sick?”

Now, she could unmistakably sense the large wolf’s agitation and worry. He was constantly sniffing the air and her face in between sharing affections.

“I don’t feel sick,” Wolfgirl told him with some uncertainty. “What’s wrong with my scent?”

Finally, the wolf leaned in close to the crotch of her snowsuit and whined ‘Mate hurt’.

Down there..? For a moment Wolfgirl was confused. Oh… Oh! OH!”

Unable to hold back, she broke into laughter. Shadow withdrew his snout, alarmed.

“I’m having my period!” Wolfgirl told him after calming down a bit. “It’s something human females have once a month. I guess female wolves don’t have that.”

The wolf rotated his head in obvious confusion and Wolfgirl leaned in to give him a reassuring lick on his muzzle.

“No, I’m not sick or hurt,” she told him. “It’s normal.”

She knew he couldn’t understand her and was still thoroughly confused, but he seemed less agitated at least. Unable to stand being unable to physically maneuver closer on the narrow hillside, Wolfgirl stood up and stretched.

“Let’s find somewhere with a bit more room,” she suggested. “You’re going to end up pushing me down the hill. Then your mate really will be hurt.”

Half an hour later, Shadow had led her to the top of the wooded hill. The eastern sky was starting to lighten and she was surprised to find it didn’t take long for her to be able to see quite well. Her companion certainly sensed the difference and his pace quickened as they wound their way through the snow and trees. The wolf didn’t account for her overall encumbrance though and Wolfgirl found herself lagging behind and gasping for breath.

“Shadow!” she called out as the wolf disappeared ahead of her. “Please slow down!”

A few seconds later, her furry boyfriend reappeared and let out a cross between a whine and a bark, ‘Sorry.’

Breathing too hard to reply, Wolfgirl stopped and bent over, putting her hands on her hips.

Shadow came over and nuzzled her face reassuringly before growling, ‘Wait’.

Before Wolfgirl could react, he had bounded off, leaving her to recover alone. Unsure of what else to do, she staggered over to a large fir tree and collapsed against it. She opened her bag and got out her water, taking a long drink from it. There, she waited.

The sound of branches snapping nearby shook her from a light doze sometime later. Briefly, she caught Shadow’s scent and her excitement chased away her remaining sleepiness. There was something else on the wind though, something vaguely familiar. Looking around, she recognized Shadow dragging - something - in her direction. Curious, she stiffly got to her feet.

Is that a deer? Squinting against the glare from the snow, she tried to make out what she was seeing. Definitely a deer.

A couple dozen yards away, Shadow was dragging what looked to be a young doe by its neck. Judging by the unnatural angle of its head, the deer’s neck was broken. When Shadow saw Wolfgirl approaching, he let go of the doe and collapsed into the snow, panting.

Poor deer; it looks young. I hope Shadow was quick. Wolfgirl briefly gave way to Sophia’s human compassion as she looked at the pitiable animal. It does smell kind of good; it’ll be a good meal for him.

Shadow seemed to find a second wind and he quickly got back to all fours when Wolfgirl came within a few yards. The deer’s eyes were open, lifelessly staring and its tongue hung out of its mouth. Its neck fur was matted with blood where the male wolf had mortally wounded it. She realized the coppery smell of the deer’s blood was what she recognized.

‘Eat,’ Shadow growled and chuffed excitedly.

Wolfgirl blinked in surprise, “you brought it for me?”

The wolf just looked at her expectantly, his tail up. She had to admit she was hungry, and her lupine side thought venison sounded like a splendid idea. Her still more dominant human side didn’t find it repulsive as it once would have, but counseled against it. Still, she felt deeply touched by her boyfriend’s gesture and didn’t want to hurt him.

“I don’t know if it’s really a good idea,” she said, shifting on her feet. “I mean, I mean I’m not really a wolf. I could get sick.”

‘Hungry?’ Shadow chuffed, his tail dropping some.

I’ve eaten a deer once before - but that was during a full moon. Sophia and Wolfgirl argued over what to do silently. But I did change back and was okay. He put a lot of effort into bringing it to me and it’s really sweet of him.

She looked into Shadow’s hopeful eyes and Sophia’s resistance faded.

“Alright, sure,” Wolfgirl slowly got to her knees and bent over the carcass. “It smells really good!”

Up close, she could easily smell the nutrient-rich blood of the deer and it made her mouth water. Knowing there was no way her human teeth would do a thing to the deer’s hide, she moved over to the deer’s neck wound. Blood had pooled where Shadow’s fangs had punctured the animal’s hide. Leaning onto her hands, she stuck out her tongue and bent over.

Here goes… Wolfgirl’s tongue made contact with the dark red liquid and she made a full arc to get as much as she could. Huh, not bad. It’s still warm too.

She had to admit it tasted quite good as she leaned back to consider the little bit she had managed to get on her tongue. The consistency was different from what she was used to when it came to human food, but it was surprisingly rich with flavor. It had a pleasingly metallic and savory taste.

‘Good,’ Shadow chuffed, sounding pleased.

Wolfgirl said nothing and instead leaned back down to lap up more of the delicious fluid. When she found the amount she could with her tongue insufficient, she leaned in and sucked at the dark liquid. A warmth spread from her chest through the rest of her body as she drank and she only slowed when some loose deer fur tickled the back of her throat.

The neck of the deer jerked as Shadow started in on the hindquarters and Wolfgirl paused her own feeding to watch him. The wolf was unapologetically brutal as he tore through the deer’s softer tissue. She found herself mesmerized by the way his muscles rippled as he moved and his sharp teeth cut through the deer’s skin like it was tissue paper. Soon, he had the rear ripped open and was wolfing down on the deer’s innards, swallowing large mouthfuls at a time.

Wolfgirl turned back to her own part of the deer. With the vasculature in the hindquarters now shredded, there was no longer enough pressure for the blood to continue seeping out of the neck wound. What was left was quickly drying, leaving red-crusted fur and skin. Experimentally, she tried to tear at the skin on the deer’s neck with her teeth. To her lack of surprise, her human teeth were utterly inadequate for the task and all she ended up with was a mouthful of fur.

At least I have chicken, she took off a glove and cleaned the fur out of her mouth as best she could. I don’t think I’ll need to share any today.

Grabbing her backpack, she grabbed the container of meat and selected one. Shadow looked up from his own feeding curiously and then went back to tearing into the doe. She bit into one of the now cold breasts and resumed watching her feral companion. The breast was still tender, but decidedly less flavorful compared to the cervine blood. Other smells from the deer suffused the air by that time and she found herself wishing she could sample the sources of some of them.

Oh Sophia, what are you becoming? Idly, the sense she had crossed another line drifted through her mind as she knelt there. It was followed by an answering echo that brought her both excitement and a strong sense of impatience.

A wolf.