Chapter 50: Beauty Of The Beast [18+]
Stahl would never admit it to the human, but she had definitely been missing out on sleep as of late. Holding Aster close to herself, as she had been able to the past few nights, had left her far too restless for any real reprieve due to her light sleeping. But the she-wolf was happy to make that sacrifice.
Still, Aster was happy to see her finally catching up on that rest as the roles were reversed for a change.
Aster was sitting up against the corner of the makeshift bed, Stahl’s head resting on his lap in slumber as he gently stroked the fur between her ears.
He couldn’t help but think on how nice it was to be able to cradle her like this for a change, for him to be the one standing watch, so to say. As Stahl began to stir from her dreams a moment later, Aster watched her eyes at first flutter, and then finally part just enough to let that piercing, silvery-grey gaze look up to find his own. The human smiled down at the drowsy beast, speaking softly as he continued tracing his fingers over the her brow.
"Good morning, Stahl. I hope you’ve rested well?"
The she-wolf certainly had.
Waking up to the sensation of Aster’s hands stroking her fur was already a welcomed treat for the beast, but to open her eyes and find the human staring softly down at her with those gold-specked, brown eyes? It was more than enough to make the she-wolf grateful for whatever situation had led them here.
Aster’s sunburn had mostly faded with the rabbit providing the periodic relief of shade, and his lips had healed up pretty well from their blisters in the cavern.
Stahl rather liked the stubble that dotted Aster’s jaw now, as it seemed he was shaving it all along, even at the wolf’s estate. Stahl figured she’d have to find out why later, as she was still basking in her pleasant awakening at the moment.
When the young man had spoken his soft words, Stahl let out a mighty stretch as her tight muscles moved her tired limbs in protest, encompassing the entire bed with her larger, yet slender frame as a few of her bones cracked in response.
Aster watched in odd fascination as she let out a hefty yawn in the process, opening her maw wide, showing off the impressively sharp teeth inside. The beast’s long tongue darted forward in the action, suspended in the center of her muzzle.