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I had made sure to clean up before I headed back into the city. Washing my grimy fur and bruised limbs in the cool river. I knew Catherine didn't care if I was dirty, but I would not soil her fine home and insult the hospitality she so graciously showed me.

I was feeling quite excited to see my special lover after a long, rough week. I held a modest pack across my back, sheathed long sword hanging from my sturdy belt. A simple cloth covering my groin to make me presentable on the city streets.

The life of a bounty hunter was a rough one, I spent most of my time on mission, lurking the wild land and thick woods. My latest job was from the city guard, to track and bring to justice a highwayman that had been haunting the west roads. For over a week I chased the culprit, he was another wolven, which made catching him that much more difficult. He knew how to evade wolven senses, so he didn't blunder like so many humans who thought they could hide. He was fast and sharp, but even in my age I was able to keep up.

It was only last night I was able to catch him. It got ugly, but in the end pinned with a broken arm and bloody snout, he surrendered. I rarely had to take a life, I prided myself as an extension of the guard, not a cutthroat. That is why the city had grown to trust me for these such assignments.

I still could hear the crossbow bolt streak past my ear as I rushed him. Inches from ending my life. I knew the job was dangerous, that's why me and my mate had taken the work so many years ago.

After our pups grew and moved on with their own families, we grew tired of life in Redwood. It was time to do something daring for the end of our lives. We would not see ourselves hobbling about the village watching the days come and go, waiting until our end.

We both knew how to fight, the danger only enticed us. She had even been a hunter for decades, the tracking, stalking, anticipation and triumph were all well known to her and soon to me as well. We accepted that death was an inevitable end for us. We had lived, loved, and seen our children do the same. If we died now, we were ready, our lives complete. Yet things did not end so romanticly.

Lately, I often found myself thinking of the city woman that seemed to fancy me in the most peculiar way. Catherine was her name. A particularly passionate woman I had started to visit regularly when I was in the city. We had sex often when she wasn't working her clothing shop. She even let me stay as long as I liked in her home, I was sure to always bring her something for her kindness. It was good to have a roof over my head and a warm body at my side again.

Now I felt a pang of excitement hit as I walked to Catherine's shop, a large bolt of fine silks in my paw. I could smell her lovely scent even as I approached the building.

My large claws tapped lightly on the wood floor as I walked through the door of the shop. Catherine sat behind the counter working away at some fabrics I could not identify. She dropped the task and wordlessly rushed to me in the empty shop when she saw me. Mutual comfort filled us both as she hugged around my midsection, cheek brushing into my bare chest as her pure scent splashed into me.

“Oh Garris, you shouldn't have!" Catherine exclaimed when I offered the fine silk.

“Nonsense, ran into a trader, good deal on it." I said, handing the material over.

“Ohh… such a nice color… It gives me ideas..." she said, studying the fabric closely. I found it amusing how enamored she was with her work, I often caught her nude in bed besides me, writing notes or drawing plans against candlelight. She was a woman with a strong purpose in her life.

“Well… Garris make yourself at home, I need to wrap some things up before I close for the night…" She cooed, turning slowly as she looked up at me.

“Thank you, Catherine." I said, bowing my head slightly, I was always sure to show my gratitude to her. I took hold of my pack and strutted to the living space above the shop.

I dropped my gear and unbuckled the sword from my belt, careful when laying my crude things among Catherine's well kept belongings. Unclasping the belt, I let the leather and cloth on my groin fall away before it was stuffed into the pack. I glanced up and saw the long mirror Catherine kept in the bedroom.

I looked over my natural form, scraggly black fur covering my body, gray hairs splattering my muzzle chest and groin. I looked in the mirror as I flexed, letting my groin push forward, sheath jutting proudly with my long, smiling muzzle. Many wolven still envied my physique, a body forged by years of a harsh, almost feral life.

I had to admit being with Catherine filled me with masculine youthful vigor, she worshiped me as a male, and I respected her elegant femininity. Satisfied, I strolled over to the large bed.

I fell backwards into the cushions, down pillows and comforters softening my fall. Her bed was the most delightful I had experienced in my life, and not just when she was in it. Her fine tastes were much appreciated as my tired arms stretched and settled into the softness. I closed my eyes as I lay nude on the sheets. I could feel myself peeking out already, thinking about another night with Catherine. She sure knew how to make an old dog happy.

I heard Catherine coming up the stairs as I perked up from the soft bed that was threatening to envelope me whole. She walked in and closed the door, a toothless grin across her face as she stepped forward. She reached and started to unlace her bodice. Her clothing was fine, but she was ready to shed it all. Tonight she would let her wild passion free.

I watched with eager eyes and ears as the bodice fell to the ground. Unlacing the rest, the long loose sleeves fell as her nude shoulders emerged from the outfit and peeled from her body, Her laced Bra quickly fell to the ground.

Catherine giggled as she stood bare breasted to my eyes, my own red member peeking from my swelling sheath, teasing her.

Loosening the cloth around her waist Catherine let her ample hips sway as she worked it down her body, trying to tease a little more of my wolven erection out of hiding. She stood above the billowing cloth in only simple panties. She let the undergarment loosen and fall down her smooth legs as she gingerly stepped out of the delicate fabric. Leaning forward she crawled onto the bed, her eyes firmly on the sheath jutting from my spread legs.

Her mouth approached as her soft hands climbed up my legs and to my thighs. My large tail swished excitedly against the bed, reaching up and tickling Catherine's nude body as she giggled over me. Reaching her target Catherine leaned forward and let her nose and face press into my furry sheath. I knew she couldn't smell as well as a wolven, but the act still seemed to please her.

Cathrine let her small mouth open and kiss along my sheath up to the red tip. She was slow, letting a hand drift down to rub my testes gently. The touch was a tender, welcome one.

She licked gingerly over my tip. Tracing the edges of my sheath as she let the slow motion raise the heat between our bodies. My tail twitched below, teasing her bare crotch as she moaned and giggled, letting the long fur excite her.

Cathrine let her tongue return to her mouth as she crawled onward.

Her nude body dragged across my sheath as she passed, leaving a thin streak of fluid across her chest and belly. I let out a long sigh as I took in the feeling of her smooth skin brushing over my bare fur. Gently pushing against me just enough to tease my nerves.

Catherine settled on my large chest as she straddled me, her wet groin pressed into my dark fur. Within reach she pushed back her hair and leaned in to my muzzle. My head lifted from the pillow as my wide mouth engulfed her, long strong tongue slathering her open lips as we kissed sloppily on the bed. I loved how Cathrine despite her small human lips always tried to keep up with me, always eager to please. My tongue slapped against her cheeks, inside and out as her eyes closed and took it all in. Her hips slowly ground against my belly as we kissed. She relished the feeling of fur across her bare crotch as she moaned into me.

My paws found her back as I rubbed the smooth skin, tracing down her slender shoulders. Finding a good grip around her arms I rose up and flipped her onto the bed, I came to rest above Catherine as her back pushed into the sheets. I was sure her head rested on a soft pillow as I towered above.

With her arms held wide I looked down at Cathrine, pert breasts heaving on her chest. She looked up, eyes begging as her breathing grew faster and faster. I always was sure to pay close attention to her body and eyes before I took control like this. She was more than ready, pleading to be taken firmly. My paws gripped hard around her spread arms, pushing deep into the soft sheets as my hips found their position below her pinned body.

My hardening cock raged within my sheath, straining to be free. My tip found her warm entrance as I pushed her down further into the bed under my weight. My cock slowly sliding out of my sheath and into her warm folds. She was mine tonight.

A long moan escaped Cathrine as my furry groin pressed into her wet lips. I speared her wholly, groaning as my wolven member found its place among her human folds. Fully unsheathed my slick cock twitched and spurt as I began to hump against my lover. I couldn't help but groan at the pleasure of her warm body enveloped me, lightly gripping my forming knot. This is what I was waiting to feel all week.

Catherine moaned out, breathing against the pillow as I bounced her.

“Oh yes…oh..." she begged, limbs spread wide as I pinned her down.

My knot was expanding fast, preparing to spread her even wider. I kept myself deep as my hips ground and pushed farther into Catherine's quivering passage. It only took a moment for my motion to settle into a rhythm. Slamming the smaller but strong woman below me, her breasts wobbled against her straining body as she took it all.

I adored how Catherine never shied away from anything. The woman liked it rough and visceral, she loved to take the knot and taste my essence. She held the passion of a wolven.

Catherine gasped as her breathing got faster, my own panting joining her as I stared down at my lovely prey. I was almost double the weight of this woman. I loomed over her and held her arms firmly in place, yet she held no fear. She trusted me absolutely as she moaned, smiled and bounced under my power.

The bed creaked slightly as I grew more desperate, my cock reaching its peak as I pumped in and out of Cathrine. I could hear my knot squelching and popping lightly as I pounded hard into Catherine's wet pussy. She probably started getting wet the moment I walked in the door. My own precum joined within her body as I gently twitched and swelled in her flesh.

“Garris…" Catherine groaned, begging.

“Going to cum on my knot, little one?" I snorted. I felt the words affect her, she groaned and tried to arch her back against my firm grip. She wanted to be controlled, guided by a strong but gentle paw. It made her feel safe and loved. She had started asking me to call her 'little one', it seemed to trigger something in her.

Unable to move her arms Catherine wrapped her long legs around my back, firmly gripping as my hips continued their feral pace against her body. Along my groin I felt her smooth skin glide gently as I thrust, building to my climax.

“A week… A week I have waited… every drop... deep.. inside..!" I growled down at Catherine, feeling my peak cresting as I spoke.

My cock was rock hard, straining Catherine's body as my knot held firm and was gripped by her flesh. I gasped and drooled over Catherine's breasts as my climax hit. My straining limbs shook as my groin grew tight and tensed, starting the long release into my human lover.

My hard knot gave me enough grip to pull her, I lifted my hips off the bed as Catherine's own followed. She hung briefly from my cock before I dropped back down, plunging deep. Secure in her I pulled up again with her gripping even harder around me. Catherine gritted her teeth, breathing growing rapid as she was held down against the bed, helpless against my onslaught. The legs around my back grew tighter as we bounced.

Catherine stared up as I leaned forward into her panting face.

“Feel me, Hold me, You are mine..." I said, staring right into her impassioned eyes.

My lifting and grinding grew faster as I strained and kept my face close to hers, feeling warm breath on my whiskers. Her body was pulled up and down as her eyes lost focus. Groaning, begging, gasping, as her body shuddered under me. She was going to cum on my knot like I teased her.

“OH! Ahh… errr...ah...ergh! ERGH!!!" Catherine groaned through clenched teeth as she came. Her wide eyes stared at the ceiling as my firm knot kept pumping into her quivering body, bouncing up and down on the bed. She struggled against me, writhing in my grasp as I gritted my teeth and refused to relent. I wanted her to feel my power, that I would never let her go.

Her struggling slowed as my own motions came to a haggered close. Tongue hanging loose from my muzzle as I panted and brought new air into my lungs. Cathrine too was panting and cooing below. I finally loosened my grip on her arms as my paws pushed into the bed at her sides. It only took a moment for her arms to fly around my neck and plant a sloppy kiss on my nose. I let my tongue slap against her chin and lips as our bodies rubbed against one another. Her soft hands combed through my neck as she scratched the worn skin below and thanked me.

Our genitals still throbbed in their union. My cock still pumped into my interspecies lover who could never bear my young. With Catherine holding herself firmly into my chest I laid us down on our side. Keeping our genitals together. Catherine continued to pet my fur as my tongue found her delicate neck and licked gently. I loved the taste of her skin, a smooth sweaty sweetness I had come to adore. We lay and embraced for a while as I sought to lick away all the sweat from her body.

“Can you stay long?" Catherine shyly asked, gentle fingers massaging my tired muscles.

“Yes, The job was hard, I think I need a week's rest." I said smiling at my great fortune.

“Well, this bed is yours, as long as you share it." Catherine teased, letting her voice be low and breathy.

I groaned in appreciation before I tugged on our union and felt both our bodies shudder at the sudden feeling.

“Ohh… I missed you..." She cooed submissively. Letting a sense of comfort drift over our combined bodies.

We shortly dozed to sleep in the soft bed. We would often engage in several sessions after meeting again, but we were both too tired to continue for now.

When morning came we both stirred. I let my large arm stretch in the morning light then fall around Catherine at my side. She giggled and groaned as she struggled to wake, nestling her body into my fur as her hand slowly scratched at my barreled chest. The previous nights early retirement seemed to be in both our minds.

Catherine reached down, just barely able to touch the tip of my sheath as she struggled to stroke it. I too let my paw drift under her hips as I found a wet pussy with my paw.

Catherine moaned into my chest as my paw pad slipped into her folds and pushed at her nub. I let my pad slowly circle and tease her as I felt her moist, parting flesh. I too was starting to peak even from her simple touch.

My paws were too wide and cumbersome to properly pleasure her, even now I had to carefully let my blunt claw brush against her pubic hair as I was cautious with her delicate body.

My teasing paw relaxed and fell away as I patted my chest, asking Catherine to climb up.

Catherine was quick to pull herself up and sit down on my chest, facing my swelling sheath. I let my paws grip her hips as I guided her groin to my waiting muzzle as she leaned down and took my member in hand.

I let my strong paws spread her wide as my long tongue pushed into her delicate folds. Catherine gasped as I speared her with my tongue. It took little effort to dive into her wet folds, still rich with my own essence.

I pushed in deep as my powerful tongue curled back and fought against her clenching walls. My teeth gently held her abdomen as my jaw stretched to reach further, tasting my earlier contributions the whole way.

My gaping maw groaned out as my hips arched from the bed. Catherine's strong little fingers were teasing my knot, still locked in my straining sheath as she worked me. I moaned into her raised crotch when I felt my knot pop free from her skilled fingers, an exquisite feeling. Released I gave a firm hot squirt against her body.

Desperate fingers cradled my wolven cock as it pulsed and grew in her grasp. Her tongue flicked and sucked over my tip as we both curled into one another on the bed. I felt her mouth take me in, tasting my next spurt.

As a human she could never take me in her mouth completely, but her dexterous hands more than made up for that.

In her firm grip my peak was rushing forth already. The pressure on the back of the knot always did something visceral to me. The exquisite pleasure made me pant and groan as my body struggled to seed the female who tied me.

I focused and pushed harder into Cathrine as my eyes closed. My hips lifted us both from the bed as I pushed and slowly gyrated against the tie I felt. Cathrine held on as she rode my body into the air, gravity pushing her a little further into my muzzle.

My raised hips dipped for a moment then rose higher as I crested my peak again. My knot pulsed in her grasp and shaft twitched between her sucking lips. Shooting against her lashing tongue as I groaned and moaned into Catherine's drenched pussy. She too was moaning around my flesh as she tasted my still potent essence, swallowing it down without hesitation.

My tongue lashed deep inside her, making wide drilling circles as I stretched her in every way I could. She was growing even wetter by the moment as my large organs penetrated her on both ends.

The sensations became too much for her, releasing my cock as she groaned out loud.

“Ahh! That's it… harder…!" Catherine gasped as her hands pushed my hard throbbing member between her soft breasts and traced along her whole chest, lightly painting her body. Desperate hips thrust back into my jaws as she groaned.

I let out a low contented growl, letting the sound vibrate through her body as she started the tremble. My tongue pushed in deep before raking back against the roof of her passage, feeling every small ridge and variation in her body before plunging in again to repeat the journey.

“AhhhhHHHHHhhHHHhhhHHhhH..." Was all Catherine could let out as her body writhed in my grasp. My squirting member splashed against her gasping face.

Regaining her composure Catherine suckled on my member again as we both slowed, I let my tongue slip out of her gripping passage as I gave wide licks across her crotch, cleaning her off.

I let out a long breath from my nose as I settled back into the bed. Catherine was still lively as she drank down my essence eagerly.

My paws pet and rubbed at Catherine's butt and back as she finished, finally letting my spent cock retreat back to its furry pouch to rest.

“I need to open before too long, remember, just relax big guy." Cathrine cooed starting to climb down from me.

“Wait a moment Catherine" I called, gently holding onto her arm and pulling her around to face me.

I was now sitting up in the bed, my paws crossed under my large knees as I leaned in and licked at Catherine's face and neck, cleaning my essence from her skin. I relished the taste of her and of myself as I worked. She giggled and presented her supple neck and then her pert breasts still dripping with my fluids. Catherine rubbed my fur sensually as her soft thighs pushed into mine.

She was like a pup asking to be bathed, Relishing the attention with glee. She pulled back her hair to let me taste every inch of her.

When she was clean I leaned back and smiled, she too was turned on by my tongue bath but knew she would need to wait much longer to indulge again.

Still tired I let my large body fall back as I lazily watched Catherine dress in her many delicate layers.

Smiling Catherine gave me a sly wink and headed downstairs, leaving me to the comfy bed.

The day passed as I lounged in Catherine's home. I was still exhausted from the previous week, so many nights spent sleeping against the cold ground, my ears always scanning for an ambush. And now I lay with my chin nestled on a fine soft pillow snoring lightly, my tired limbs gently clawing the sheets as I stretched out lazily, a long contented sigh escaped into the room. Catherine was downstairs, working on another outfit late into the evening. I would wait patiently for her. A smile crossed my wide muzzle as I settled into the comfortable bed. I was glad Catherine had such good taste in finery.

I often had pondered our arrangement, It was over ten months now that I have been making these visits, staying for days or even weeks at a time before heading back for my dangerous work.

I could not really say me and Catherine were in love. There was something different between us. I was her lover, but there was some barrier in each of us that preventing things from going further. Prenna was my life mate, we expected to live and die together. I knew in my age I could never take another wolven female as a mate. I may be virile still but to mate and sire more pups, trying to devote the last of my days like that, I could not do it all again, not after I lost her.

We shared many years of close calls, thrilling chases and victorious nights together. It was like we were young again, wild and careless, we made love like when we were first mated. I was happy looking back on those years, it would have been a fitting time to die, if I was fortunate enough to join her.

It was so sudden, we were pacing through the thicket when I heard a sharp crack as Prenna gasped. Turning I locked eyes with my mate, an arrow embedded in her skull. I stared back helplessly as her life and thoughts shattered, eyes rolling back as she collapsed to the ground. I heard the shooter run off, but I stayed with Prenna. My strong jaw quivered as I looked upon her, there was nothing I could do. I desperately wished the shooter had stayed to finish me as well, what a despicable coward.

That was almost six years ago now. I kept the job, with each mission part of me hoped this would be the one, where some careless mistake or cruel hand would end me. But as time went on, I was injured, battered, and tired, but still alive. There was some part of me that couldn't just give up. As if I somehow had more use to this world yet. The money I brought in helped my extended family back in Redwood, and I still relished the hunt, the few things driving me on. And now the promise of a warm bed if I lived through this next mission. Part of me was beginning to hope I would keep surviving, that I could visit her just one more time.

My relationship with Catherine was strange. We were passionate lovers. We expressed ourselves without consequence, just enjoying each other's embrace. I don't believe Catherine herself would say she was in love either. She was so devoted to her craft, building her business and perfecting her art, she didn't seem to want a husband, or children. So I would be her surrogate, allowing her to be loved, held and worshiped as the female she was without the complications a human lover brought. I seemed to fill some missing hole in her life. I knew from her scent during my long absences she still would frequent the fur and skin taverns in my absence, sating her needs. It did not bother me, I hope she would be able to move on when I eventually perished on one of my jobs. But I knew we had grown into something more than casual lovers, we made one another happy, comfortable.

Two broken souls, leaning into one another, trying to cling to some happiness and acceptance in this sometimes unforgiving world.

Night had fallen, Catherine would be ready to retire soon, ready for another night at my side.

My large ears stood up as I heard voices downstairs, the shop was supposed to be closed. As I listened I sat up at attention, I could not understand the words so muffled down below, but Catherine seemed upset. I rose from the bed, paying attention to creep carefully. I needed to make sure she was ok. As I neared the door I heard a brief shriek from Catherine, followed by angered voices from her and some men, I swiveled and reached for my sheathed long sword.

Weapon in paw I moved carefully through the door and down the stairs. Keeping my footpaws relaxed so my long claw tips would not tap the wood. I held the sword scabbard at my side, letting the long belt loops dangle in the air.

Now that I was closer I could hear them. I recognized one of the voices, the same drunken blackguard that had broken Catherine's window only a few weeks earlier.

“You and these goons? Low life bar buddies of yours?" Catherine chastised the men.

“Oh relax, we are just here for what you owe me." Complained the drunk vandal.

“I don't owe you anything, Frederick." Catherine said sternly.

“Well Cat, things aren't going too well around here, gotta move on. And you are going to lend me a hand to start again. Where's the money?" Said Frederick with impatience.

“...in the register, like I said." Catherine folded her arms defiant to the men.

“Bullshit, there wasn't much in there, I know you do better than that." Frederick grumbled, growing more impatient at her defiance.

I reached the bottom of the stairs, carefully leaning my large head around the corner. I was able to see the scene. The three men stood in front of Catherine, they were armed with daggers at their belts, small crossbows in their hands.

Frederick stepped forward to Catherine, he was inebriated, but not enough to be overtly impaired. He grabbed at her shoulder and let the crossbow bolt point into Catherine's neck as she winced away from the loaded weapon.

“You are going to give us what we need, or we'll burn this place down." Frederick scowled over his weapon, growing frustrated.

My jaw grew tight as I watched. His finger hovered just over the trigger of the weapon, only a single slip from killing Catherine. Looking on I slowly unsheathed my long sword and gently let the leather fall to the side. I needed to be cautious, even a sudden sound could cause a misfire and end Cathrine.

“You bastard, just take what you can and leave." Catherine yelled back, still turning her head away from the metal point.

“Listen, I don't want to hauk this garbage just to make it worth my while. Just show us where you keep all the money." Frederick mercifully let the weapon drop a he stepped back, almost pleading.

Catherine was growing nervous, she was about to lose everything she had worked for, she wasn't going to just lay down and let this happen, this shop was her life.

“I don't keep any… I spend it too fast." Catherine redirected.

“Yeah? Gussying yourself up for those wolven brutes you disgrace yourself with?" Scowled Frederick.

“Yes, a lady needs to be treated, shown a good time. Make her feel like a woman." Catherine taunted as she gestured flamboyantly. She would do anything to distract them from her shop.

The angry conversation was working well to mask my approach. I was now behind the counter, creeping along the wooden shelves, almost within striking distance behind the men. I hoped they would just take what they could and let Catherine be, but with every word their desperation grew.

From speaking with Catherine this man was an ex suitor of hers. A man her family was pushing her to marry. They had slept together once, she regretted her weakness and was thankful nothing came of it. When she dropped him to start her own business his life fell apart, he was not able to support his own bad investments. She felt guilty for years lending the broken man some coin and a decent meal now and then out of pity. But over the last few months he had become even more drunk, rude and demanding. Catherine wouldn't put up with him anymore, Fredrick didn't take kindly to being dumped, again.

“Nothing more than a drooling slut, little beast whore." Frederick taunted, knowing her personal interests well.

Catherine was unfazed, she had grown used to his crass tongue.

“Well, they have something you can never offer me..."

“Ugh… Disgusting..." The man cringed.

“They can please a woman!" Catherine spit, remembering back to her regretful night with the man.

Fredrick was livid at her insult. He scowled at Catherine, while she simply smiled back in defiance. In another moment the smile was wiped from her face as a clenched fist struck her soft jaw, almost toppling her over.

“Ahh!... you…! ...ah.." Catherine snarled as she held her pained jaw. My own paw clenched hard around the sword as I saw Catherine in pain. I regretted waiting to get closer. Catherine was in danger, I needed to turn their attention from her. I saw the men laugh as Catherine staggered, their weapons lowered as they mocked her. Now was the time.

The men dully looked back as my claw tips clacked loudly across the store floor. I saw the first man's eyes grow wide as my free paw grasped his arm. Pulling the limb back sharply his bones cracked as the weapon dropped to the floor. In shock he screamed and was easily thrown to the side. My sword swung and struck the second man across the head, I let the flat of the blade knock him off balance before the edge slid and sliced a thin layer of skin from his shoulder. He too stumbled and yelled, his crossbow discharging into the floor as my free paw grabbed and threw him onto his back, out of my way.

Frederick, eyes wide in terror swung his crossbow about, my blade fell on the weapon and pushed it away. But not fast enough.

I heard the bolt let fly as my mind screamed out. My left leg folded to the ground as I toppled to the floor. The metal bolt stuck out from my knee, a ringing sound filled my ears as searing pain washed over me. Momentarily forgetting where I was I tried to grab at the bolt desperately. I gasped and winced as I yanked the sharp metal from my knee cap. My nerves cried out as blood poured onto the shop floor and my vision blurred. I saw the visage of the man and swung my blade at him, He stepped back as I tried and failed to pull myself after him. I crouched on the ground, clawing at the wood, barely able to move. I could not stand, I could not even kneel properly, I was helpless.

He cackled from his safe distance, fumbling to reload the crossbow. Behind him, through my straining eyes was Catherine. A look of terror frozen on her face. But the men's attention was squarely on me.

“RUN! RUN NOW!" I shouted, if Catherine listened to anything I ever told her let it be this.

Catherine stood for a moment then spun and ran quickly for the entrance of the shop. Frederick noticed and began to turn. With a surge of adrenaline I dropped my sword and leapt from my good leg, grabbing around his legs. I felt my blunt claw tips pop into his skin from my desperate grip. His body wobbled and fell as my weight pulled him down, his crossbow firing off into the wall. All the while Catherine ran out the front door, to safety.

I struggled with Frederick as he kicked in my unrelenting grip, my teeth bit into his leg as he yelled in panic. A large chair cracked across my head as we struggled, the stunned goon seeking some revenge. The spiteful man raised the chair again and slammed it squarely across my back. I felt the wind get knocked out of me, loosening my grip on the struggling man.

I tried to accept the pain, Catherine was safe. She would live past this day, and I would not. My grip faltered as I tried to defend myself from the heavy furniture threatening to break my spine.

“Think you're strong now? Sack of shit!" Spit hit my face as the man holding his broken arm sharply kicked into my ribs, repaying me for his own pain. All three men now were above, striking me with whatever they could find.

I had a chance when I surprised them, but now I was crippled and surrounded, I was doomed.

Still surging with adrenaline I reached out and caught the heavy chair, ready to smash it back into the men and defend myself. But as I clawed to hang onto the wood a sturdy coat rack bashed against my skull, my eyes flashing white as my head was struck over and over, nearly deafening me. I tried to grab at the coat rack but found nothing as the chair resumed its strikes to my side, even harder this time. For the first time in my life I couldn't even fight back.

My motions became slower as the energy was sapped from my body. I could only weakly attempt to cover myself against the onslaught of heavy boots and sharp furniture. I felt bones crack and flesh tear as I was overpowered.

I curled inward trying to protect my battered body, tail tucked between my legs as I cowered. A large tooth rattled around my mouth as the taste of blood filled my senses. Their blows fell everywhere as I cowered. I could do little more than whine as they sought to make me suffer, laughing and sneering at my weakness. I had heard even the strongest warrior could be reduced to a blubbering pup in their last moments, I was not prepared to die like this. Gripped with primal fear and anguish I writhed in pain on the floor. I hoped a crossbow bolt would crack into my skull and end it quickly.

My only comfort in these last moments was knowing that Prenna never had to face death like this.

The kicking stopped briefly as Frederick knelled down, dagger drawn. Instinctively I reached and held the hilt back as we struggled on the ground. I saw his face. Smiling perversely as he relished the impending kill. He wanted me to see it, feel it, know it was him. The blade hovered above my chest, waiting to be plunged down. Yet I held it back, the blade straining in our combined grasp. Why couldn't I just let him have this? Something primal in me could not just give up. But as the moments passed my battered muscles slowly gave way, I would see her again soon. I felt the blade dig into fur and cut into flesh as a loud crash filled the room.

Through bleary eyes I looked up, the man turned in a state of panic as a long club cracked across his skull, dropping the dagger whose tip held my blood.

Close by the other men were thrown to the ground and subdued as guards rushed the scene.

Kicking and yelling was heard as the men struggled. I was losing consciousness as the din of the room echoed in my hollow ears. The dagger failed to pierce my heart, but blood still poured out from the wound. Perhaps it was enough, to just lay back and let the world slip away.

I was shocked awake as a firm gloved hand clasped onto my paw. Bringing it to my chin.

“Stay with me! you can make it." demanded the voice. A moment later another hand pushed into my chest, pressing hard with a rough tourniquet against the wound. I growled in pain but could do nothing else but let my head drop to the ground, why couldn't I just die, it hurt so much.

“Stay with me, she needs you." the voice demanded again, pleading this time. I glanced up to the man that stood over me, I could not recognize him through my clouded vision, but as his scent settled around me I remembered it. He was one of the men that frequented Catherine's shops, he and his wolven lover. It was hard to forget seeing such a pairing, Catherine adored them. As my nose worked the room further I picked up another familiar scent cascading down around me, Cathrine. I could barely see her standing behind the man, hunched over as she sobbed, looking at my broken body.

I couldn't just let go. I couldn't let her watch me die. I knew that sorrow too well.

“Catherine..." I uttered looking up at her. A weak smile across my muzzle.

“Garris… oh… please… I am so sorry, I didn't want you to be brought into this." Catherine cried as she keeled lower to me.

“Are you alright Catherine?" I continued.

“Yes, I will be alright.. If you hadn't... but, you… Please... just.." Catherine begged, starting to cry again.

My paw slid from the man's grip as I reached out and took Catherine's small hand into my gentle grasp.

“Catherine, you know how to make an old dog happy." I said, smiling as blood dripped from my muzzle and stained my fur. I let my grip tighten to let her know I still had some strength in me yet.

The three men cursed and shouted as they were bound and dragged out of the building. Leaving the shop to a somber silence.

Catherine held my paw as some of the other guards gathered around and tended to my wounds. As the adrenaline of the fight left I could feel the severity of my injuries.

My knee still throbbed horrifically, the nerves burning at every slight motion. Several ribs were broken as I panted slowly, straining for every breath. I could not count the bruises over my body, already starting to swell and ache. My chest stung along with many more gashes and chipped bones from the furniture that now lay discarded on the floor with a pool of my blood.

Several hours later my bleeding slowed while my knee and ribs were wrapped. They said I was going to be taken to the clinic for further treatment.

As the scene calmed, Catherine stood with the other guardsmen and recounted the events of the night in detail. I sat up against the counter with the guard that had saved my life.

“I am afraid I know your scent but not your name." I said to him.

“I am Markus, I frequent the shop. I have seen you around before." Said the man.

“Does she worry about you? This will be a late night to come home."

“She does. We are preparing to get married soon." He didn't even bat an eye at the question, he knew I could smell his female on him.

“Markus, You have something wonderful, Do not let anyone tell you otherwise."

“Thank you… Keera is amazing. I am very lucky to have her."

“We all feel that way sometimes..." I laughed, careful to keep it low and not agitate my broken ribs. He chucked back in acknowledgment.

“Markus, can you do an old wolf a favor?" I turned, letting my swollen face plead to him.

“Certainly" He said, sensing something important on my mind.

“You and Keera deserve a gift, near Redwood is an old shaman, even older than me. Go to him, seek a blessing before your wedding, he is family to me."

“Keera is from Redwood, we planned to see her family soon. We can seek him out." The man replied, he seemed to take my offer seriously.

“Good, his name is Teegrun, he likes fine cheeses as gifts." I chuckled remembering my uncles fondness for the stuff.

As I finished I noticed a carriage had pulled up to the store. Markus and another guardsmen took my limbs and helped me hobble to the vehicle.

As the carriage started off I relaxed and thought. I had been preparing to die for years, waiting for the right moment. I had thought there was nothing left for me, that it would be best just to die. Yet I was only looking inward, led by my own pain and fear. I failed to realize what my life meant to others. The guards even recognized me right away, it seems I had earned a name for myself with all the criminals that had evaded their grasp only to fall into mine. They recounted stories of my past deeds and helped comfort me along with Catherine. These were all things I had accomplished even after I considered my life at an end. And with some luck I would have many years still to bring more light into the world.

I knew Markus would take my advice and visit the shaman, they would have something very special.

Indeed there was still a purpose for this old wolf.

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Author's Note: Here we conclude the Catherine and Garris arc. This was a little diversion but something important has been set in motion for Mark and Keera in the next chapter. The drama has peaked, now we prepare for the final stretch.

This was my first attempt at writing combat into a story, let me know if it read well!