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Day 19 - Shapeshifters
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"Get low to the ground."
"Okay." Carina whispers, laying flat on the ground.
"Now, find your target." Loki whispers as well, crouched down behind his daughter.
"Target sighted." Carina's tail starts to wag, swishing the grass.
"Wait for the right moment." Loki rumbles softly, amused at his daughter's excitement, "Wait.... wait.... GO!"
Carina launches herself forward, her paws digging into the ground as she closes on her target, jaws open.
"I GOT IT!"
Loki stands up, his tail wagging slowly behind him, "Good job, Princess!"
Carina prances up to her father, the juvenile rabbit hanging from her mouth. The young wolf looks just like her father, startling green eyes surrounded by coal black fur. She swings her head back and forth, giggling as the dead rabbit flops around, proud of her first kill.
Loki lowers his head to nuzzle his daughter, "Lets go home so you can show your mother how good you did."
"Yeah!" Carina shouts, her whole body wiggling wildly.
Loki turns, leading Carina back towards the family den. Father and daughter disappear into the underbrush as if the two wolves had never been there.
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"Wyn-wyn! You can do it!"
Carwyn gives you a big smile as he toddles unsteadily towards you. Your son lets out a squeal as he does his best to walk on his little legs.
"That's it! That's it!" You clap your hands and cheer as you kneel on the floor, "Almost..... Gotcha!" You scoop your son up as soon as he gets close enough, making him laugh. Planting your lips on a chubby cheek, you blow a raspberry making Carwyn squeal with glee. "That's my little man. You'll be running these woods in no time."
"Not too soon I hope."
You look up in time to see your husband step through the door. He's still pulling on his shirt, having just shifted on the porch and you get a tantalizing eye full of his abs before he covers them up.
Loki gives you a grin, knowing you were admiring his body. "I remember how fast Carina was the first time she shifted. We chased her halfway across our territory more then once. I have no desire to go chasing after our son anytime soon."
Before you can respond, Carina bursts through the door. Her curly hair is a mess and the sundress you left on the porch for her is on backwards but her smile could light up a small town. "Mommy, look!" She runs around her father, holding her rabbit out for you to see, "I did it!"
"You did?" You gasp, shifting Carwyn to one arm so you can pull your daughter in, "Congratulations, Sweetness! I'm so proud of you!"
Carina giggles and leans in, "He was fast but I was faster."
You give her a squeeze, "Of course you were. You take after your daddy and he's the fastest wolf I know." You glance up at Loki who gives you a wink.
"I had to be fast to catch your mother." Loki rumbles softly, making your cheeks flush pink.
Ignoring the looks your husband is giving you, you turn back to your daughter, "I think.... we should have rabbit stew tonight."
"Yeah!" Carina cheers, "With my rabbit!"
"We'll have a feast." Loki chuckles, scooping Carina up in his arms. He tucks her against his side before reaching down to offer you a hand. "To celebrate our daughter's first successful hunt."
Climbing to your feet with the help of your husband, you give Carwyn a bounce, making him giggle. You take in the sight of your mate and first born pup, so much alike even down to the smiles on their faces. You can't help but smile back at them and say, "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea."
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After an exciting day running around the forest and with a full belly, it's no surprise that Carina fades quickly after dinner.
You tuck your sweet pup into bed, brushing a lock of her long black hair out of her face as she snuggles into her pillow. "Goodnight, Sweetness." You whisper, leaning down to kiss her forehead before retreating silently from the room and checking on your youngest. Carwyn is sound asleep in his crib when you poke your head in your bedroom. On silent feet, you make your way through the cabin until you find your husband in the living room.
Stretched out in wolf form on the rug in front of the roaring fireplace, Loki lifts his long head and watches as you shed your clothes before shifting as well.
It's a strange sensation, changing from human to wolf. Almost like when you stretch a muscle that hasn't been used in awhile, it hurts but it's a good hurt. Once it's over you shake yourself, settling your grey and white fur before walking over to your mate. You settle on the rug next to him, leaning against his larger form. Loki leans into you as well, a heavy sigh escaping his body as he finally relaxes.
Side by side, muzzle to muzzle, you relax as well with the knowledge that your pack is all here and safe. Your mate is beside you, your pups happy and everyone is healthy and well fed.
And there's nothing a she-wolf wants more then that.
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