Page 100 of The Howl
The rest of the group looked at me. I trusted them not to do anything to Ashlyn. But I could see from the look in her eyes that she wouldn’t go if I didn’t. Yet, I knew what tagging along would entail. A lot of tempting nudity. Though my hunger was quiet now, would it stay quiet?
“I don’t know,” I hedged.
“Do you really want to go home?” Fenris asked.
We both knew what waited for me there.
“Not really. Fine, I’ll tag along.”
“Great. Try to keep up,” Fenris said, walking his girls to their cherry red convertible that had the white top up against the cold.
“Let’s drive together,” I said to Ashlyn. “I’ll drop you off here so you can get your car then follow you home.”
“Thank you,” she said, walking with me to my car. “I’m so excited for this. I’ve heard of the caves, but I’ve never seen them.”
We got in, and I quickly pulled out to follow the wolf-mobile.
“You do know that they don’t have swimsuits, right?” I asked.
“Oh. I wasn’t thinking of that.”
“I’m sure Fenris was. Just keep your bra and panties on, and you’ll be fine.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t plan on swimming,” I said.
“You sure? You could use a little relaxing.”
“If I relax, so does my control.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.”
“I was more thinking of you.”
During the rest of the drive, we avoided talking about the spell I wanted the druids to do the next day. Instead, we talked about clothes, the other humans and their schedules, and the next batch of desserts Ashlyn wanted to make. I appreciated that they were all chocolate-based.
Before long, the convertible turned off onto a wooded road that ended in trees just like the cabin road. The lights from town didn’t reach this far, and once the convertible’s lights went out, it was a lot darker and more secluded than Ashlyn was used to. I could tell from the hint of fear that drifted from her.
“We can turn around,” I said, pulling up behind the convertible.
“Nope. I want to do this.”
“You can change your mind at any time.”
“I know.”
Fenris’s group was out of the car before I parked. He opened Ashlyn’s door and leaned down.
“It’d be better if I carried you to the caves,” he said. “We’re in werewolf territory, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wandering around.”
She glanced at me.
“I trust Fenris to behave with you,” I said. “Just don’t fall for any lines about needing affection.”
He laughed, and Ashlyn blushed when he picked her up.
