FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts

Raese’s own growl drove him miserably from slumber. Feeling hairs protruding from his pores. Abdomen sweating. When he rubbed it away, he found his hand covered in dark fluid. Blood.

His back curved so dramatically his hips and shoulders didn’t touch the bed. A glance down revealed rounded paws in place of feet. Topped with curling claws jutting from each toe. I’m having a nightmare?

His whole body was changing. He lurched to a sitting position but instead ended up flipping onto four feet. Nails elongated from his fingers into claws.

Instinctively shaking his back caused fur to ruffle. He snarled and moved to slide off the bed but found himself jumping onto the wood floor.

He tried to reach for the door handle but could only scratch the planks.

“Milord!” His housekeeper called. Knocking emphatically on the door. “Milord is everything okay in there?”

He tried to answer but only a deep growl emerged. What’s happening to me?

***

Raese felt the sudden cold touch caressing his back. Rubbing his fur down and soothing him. He stopped scratching. Neck and shoulders relaxing as he looked over a furred shoulder to see Calisto’s hazy outline.

“Raese.” She reached for his nose with a blurring hand. “Calm, My Love. Ease. Breathe.” Her voice came from far away. Broken and distorted as it floated to his ears. As the wolf, he caught the strange pitch he’d struggled so hard to hear as a human.

Raese squinted his eyelids closed as he took in a flashback of centuries ago. Walking along a drizzling creek with Calisto. He was the wolf. Glowing green eyes surrounded by dense black hair. She was the breathtaking woman. Black hair blowing in a haunting wind.

Together, they strode a winding path. Her hand smoothed along his back as she’d just done. Calming him as he lifted his nose to take in the scents of Firoque. Leading them to traps hidden in the brush. Calisto stepped carefully and knelt to expertly disassemble them. Collecting heavy parts and putting them in a bag she’d slung on his back.

“That’s enough for today, My Love. I think it’s time we begin some dinner.” She lifted her head to peer blue eyes at him between thick black tresses. She smiled at him.

His back turned and he rose as the man. Unfolding his tall lithe frame. Dark auburn curls along his forehead and his bright green eyes staring back at her across the bushes and moss of the Feglen Forest floor. They shared a long intimate look. She unraveled her huge black cloak and walked to him opening it enough to wrap his bare body in it with her. He automatically dropped his forehead to hers. A remnant gesture of the wolf within him. Resembling the deep level of trust, he held with her. Together they stood so near each other they were virtually exchanging breaths. She turned up on her toes to offer her lips to his.

Present day Raese’s eyes snapped open. Knowing this memory was far more recent then those he’d been having. The other memories had outlined the beginning of a blooming relationship. This one was after they’d been married for several years and spent every moment together. Deeply bonded.

She knew me nearly better than I knew myself.

Raese was calmed by the memory. Breathing slowing before he could register what was happening, he was a human man lying on the wood floor. Nude and shivering next to the door.

What’s happening to me?

What am I? He didn’t have the answers he so desperately needed.