Chapter 132: Touch
[ Skarthheim Territories ]
Autumn’s paws pounded the ground once...twice...and then faltered mid stride.
Her limbs twisted. Bones snapped and rearranged. The rhythm of the shift was familiar... like her usual transformations but it was unwelcome. Autumn most definitely did not initiate the shift.
A sharp cry escaped her lips as she changed back to her human form...not by choice, not by someone else’s command. It was like her body had been pulled back. Hijacked.
She collapsed to her knees, naked again, skin flushed, hair wild and damp from sweat. Her chest heaved as her human form settled in. The dusty earth and dried twigs clung to her calves. The bark of the tree behind her bit into her spine.
"What the hell!!!" she whispered looking around...almost surprised.
The moment she looked up... there he was... the strange savior... the enemy of her enemy... smirking down at her.
He was still standing on the same spot.
But impossibly closer now.
It kind of felt like the forest bent around his steps. Like space itself retracted for him. Shadows slithered along the bark near his boots, and the leaves didn’t so much rustle...but shivered because of his presence.
Autumn scrambled to her feet, rage prickling beneath her skin. She turned to run... But his hand caught her wrist.A bit rough, a little too firm.