Page 75 of Little Red Riding Hood
“Rather good?” Wim raised an eyebrow. “That’s not what you were screaming earlier, is it?”
Red grabbed one of their smaller blankets and attempted to smother Wim with it, both of them dissolving into laughter as they wrestled playfully, their bodies still slick with sweat as they rolled across their makeshift bed, neither willing to admit defeat.
Wim’s fingers danced along Red’s sides, finding every ticklish spot with uncanny accuracy. Red squirmed and thrashed, trying to escape the merciless assault.
“Stop! This isn’t—” A burst of undignified laughter escaped him. “This isn’t fair! You’re playing dirty!”
“All’s fair in love and tickle fights, sweetheart.” Wim’s grin turned wolfish as he redoubled his efforts, his strong hands pinning Red in place.
Red’s shrieks echoed through the forest clearing as he twisted beneath Wim’s relentless attack. “I yield! I yield!”
Finally, Wim released him, and Red collapsed back onto their nest of blankets, chest heaving as he caught his breath. They settled into a comfortable position, Wim’s arm draped across Red’s middle.
The playful mood shifted as Wim’s fingers traced along Red’s ribs, following each pronounced ridge with gentle concern. “You need to eat more when you get back to the palace. I can’t believe even the palace doesn’t get enough food.”
Back to the palace.
Four tiny words that hit Red like a punch to the gut, shattering their peaceful moment. Reality crashed back in—their inevitable parting looming large.
“I’ve been giving Auntie Anne extra food,” Red admitted quietly, staring up at the fading stars peeking through the canopy above. The first signs of dawn had arrived, painting the horizon in shades of cheerful pink and gold that seemed to mock the heaviness settling in his chest. He shifted closer to Wim, seeking warmth against the morning chill, or perhaps against the cold reality that their time together was finite.
“This Auntie Anne,” Wim’s tone softened. “She’s been good to you, hasn’t she? Like a proper mother should.” His grip suddenly tightened on Red’s arm, urgent. “Listen to me, sweetheart. I need you to promise me something.”
Red’s heart immediately started an unpleasant tap dance. “What is it?” he asked, hardly daring to breathe.
“Don’t let him touch you again, when you return. Thisstable masterof yours.” Wim said the name like it was burning acid on his tongue. “The thought of you with anyone who treats you like less than a prince…”
The words should be making Red feel good about himself—Wim was clearly jealous of this random stranger. So why did Red feel even worse all of a sudden?
He’s not asking you not to return to the palace.
It was true that the notion was entirely impossible. But did Wim even know that? He could at least ask, surely!
Why would he? This is all just a bit of forest fun to him. A warm body to entertain him on the long journey. Comfort from another person after being isolated in his cottage, then banished from his pack.
Red’s heart grew heavy as something bitter and angry crystallised inside him, sharp as icicles. Something that demanded to wound in return.
“Hmm? Him? No, I’m quite done with him. But the head chef has tried his luck a few times. I could finally take him up on his offer. His hands are always so warm from the ovens.”
Wim recoiled as if Red had slapped him across the face. His shoulders hunched inward, and the playful light in his eyes extinguished. A low, wounded sound escaped his throat—somewhere between a whine and a growl.
Is this the reaction you hoped to achieve, Red?
Wim’s entire body went rigid. “Why would you say such a thing?” He shifted away from Red, leaving a cold space between them.
The pain in his words cut deeper than any blade. Red’s chest constricted. He’d meant to wound Wim, to make him feel a fraction of the hurt bubbling inside himself. But watching the wolf curl in on himself, seeing the rigid set of his jaw and the way his fingers trembled against his thigh… it was unbearable.
But Red had started down this thorny path now, and despite the way it would cut at him, he needed to see it through to its bitter end.
“Why not? You’re the one who brought up the stable master. What do you expect me to do exactly, go back to the palace and pine for you for the rest of my life?”
Because that was exactly what Red would end up doing. He already knew it.
“Sounds like you’ll forget all about me as soon as you see that palace chef!”
Red rolled his head against the hard ground, exhaling slowly. “As if you’ll be thinking aboutmeonce you’re reunited with your precious pack. I know this is all just a bit of fun for you. A distraction from your loneliness.”
Wim jerked upright, his entire body going rigid. “What?!What makes you say that?”
