Chapter 129~
Irma
As soon as Joaquin gave my parents a map to find the Well Of Fates, they ditched us.
I’m not mad about it. Spending some alone time with my mate is probably a good idea. We need a closer connection, but the problem is that I have no clue how to build that bond.
For the most part. I’ve always been a popular girl who loves parties. I’m loud and extroverted, while Joaquin is silent and sweet. I love that about him, I do, but I sometimes get flustered by how open he is with showing his feelings for me. Probably because none of the guys I’ve dated in the past ever had that level of emotional maturity.
R
I rise from the wooden bench and stretch, taking a deep breath of the pine-scented air. Joaquin is in my bra but looks up at me as if to ask what I’m doing. Naturally, I start blabbering.
“So, my parents said they would find us once they were done at the well. That means we should probably build a shelter here and wait for them, even if it will be boring. I mean…time passes quicker here than in the human world, so yeah…”
Joaquin smiles. “We should probably find food.
It’s obvious that his “we” means me since he is already making himself comfortable in my bra. His fairy wings spread and fold against his body as he leans against me with his eyes closing. The little lazy f**k.
Sighing. I begin walking over to what looks like a huge pond. I would say lake, but there are no waves. It’s as still as a mirror, perfectly reflecting the cloudy sky above. Enormous dragonflies are skimming its surface, and I can hear the occasional plop of a fish, so at least there’s potential for food there.
“We’ll need something to fish with,” I say, turning my attention back to Joaquin, nestled comfortably in my bra. He opens one eye lazily, then sighs heavily. With a flick of his tiny wrist, he summons a miniature fishing line, complete with a hook and bait.
“Really?” I snatch the tiny contraption from him incredulously, holding it between two fingers. “This is a freaking toothpick. How am I supposed to fish with this?!”
Joaquin’s grin grows wider, and he merely shrugs, fluttering his wings in a way that suggests amusement. ‘Are you complaining about your mate giving you a fishing rod for free? Im quite proud of it. He teases.
“I expected you to create a normal-sized rod, not…this tiny thing I huff, exasperated.
But Joaquin merely chuckles and dozes off again. I resist the urge to shake him awake and, instead, sigh while eyeing the toothpick-sized fishing rod.
I suppose I could shape-shift and try to fish in my wolf form in the shallow waters.
“Alright, I’m going to shape-shift,” I announce to Joaquin as I pluck him out of my bra. He pouts at me, but I just roll my eyes and place him on a nearby rock. “You will thank me later when there’s fish on our table.”
“We don’t have a table.”
“That’s not the point! It’s just a human expression. You say ‘food on the table’ when you’re going to bring home something to eat. I can’t believe they didn’t teach you that at fairy school.” I shake my head, even though I know he’s only teasing me.
Joaquin grins mischievously, showing his tiny teeth. “I shall wait for you to catch me dinner then.”
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Chapter 129
1 frown. “It’s usually the man offering to serve their woman, you know.”
“Oh, so there is no equality in the werewolf world?
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Ignoring him. I shape-shift into a wolf, and once I’m in wolf form, I turn around to deliberately push down Joaquin from the rock with my tail. It makes him laugh.
“What did I do to deserve such harsh treatment from my mate?” he asks, but his voice is amused, not offended.
Since I can’t talk in my wolf form, I just shoot him a glare before thinking of the answer. “You didn’t spoil me.”
He chuckles. ‘Do you want me to fish for us instead? I could do that, you know. All you need to do is ask.
“Forget it.”
I head over to the shallow waters, leaving my amused mate behind on his darn rock. Whatever. I don’t need him.
Wading carefully into the murky water, I scan for fish. My sensitive nostrils flare, alert to every scent, until I finally spot a shadow in the water.
“I found a fish!’ I announce through our mind-link, excited until realize the fish’s shadow is getting bigger and bigger…and even bigger.
Not good.
Adrenaline fuels my blood as I try to escape from the approaching shadow.
But it’s too late.
The head of a gigantic koi fish emerges from the depth of the water, its bulging eyes and gaping mouth unnerving. Its massive body trails behind, a swirling design of vibrant oranges and blacks, like a colossal watery dragon from an ancient tale. My breath catches in my throat as I realize that I am face to face with something far bigger than the dinner I had anticipated.
en my voice
“On second thoughts, maybe you could fish instead… I send through the mind-link to Joaquin, trying to keep my steady despite the terror coursing through me.
Laughter rings out in response, not in my mind but from the direction of the rock. ‘Don’t get eaten.”
‘I’m trying!
The koi fish, either oblivious to my terror or simply uncaring, swivels in the water to face me, its large eyes regarding me with healthy interest. The water gurgles as it shifts its colossal body, causing waves that nearly knock me off my feet. With a gulp, I back away, my fur prickling with fear and my mind racing
“Help! My mental plea is met with Joaquin’s hearty laughter.
x, darling. It’s not going to eat you.
y reply comes out as a snarl in my mind. ‘And how do you know that?”
Before Joaquin can respond, a second fish approaches. This one is larger, and I howl in terror when the koi fish gets swallowed whole by a huge pike.
The pike’s long, slender body shimmers in the scant sunlight that filters through the water. Its razor-sharp teeth glisten
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Chapter 129
menacingly as it turns its attention to me, its fresh, bright eyes rowing,
Okay… this might be a tad bit problematic’ Joaquin admits within audible gulp.
A tad?’ I retort, my mental voice laced with panic.
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I don’t even get a chance to prepare myself before the pike lunges at me. It’s fast, yet I manage to roll onto my back to avoid the attack. The creature’s giant mouth snaps shut just inches from my belly.
‘Do something! My mental cry echoes through the connection the pike gets ready for a second attack, and I know I can’t avoid it since I’m on my back like a helpless cockroach.
Luckily, Joaquin’s oversized dark grey hand saves me. He grabs the pike in a secure grip. With a flick of his wrist, he snaps its neck with ease, and I turn my head to look at my grown mate, who is lying on his stomach.
“You okay?” he asks.
1 shape-shift back into a human. “Y-yeah…shaken, but okay. And my god, you’re huge.”
Joaquin blushes and averts his eyes. ‘Don’t get used to it. I prefer my tinier self since I can fit in your bra…
“Pervert.”
He simply smiles down at the ground and I take the opportunity to gawk at him unabashedly. It’s hard not to stare, but I know shouldn’t. I can already tell Joaquin is cinbarra*sed about his size.
The poor thing.
I carefully approach him and sit down beside his arm. He glances down at me when I lean against him. “Why shouldn’t I get used to it? Isn’t size-shifting part of being a fairy?”
I remember Joaquin telling me he sometimes feels an itch to either grow or shrink.
‘It is, he admits quietly, ‘But you get so jumpy when I’m large. It..disconcerting
I offer him a small smile. “I’ll try not to be so jumpy, then.”
His eyes soften, a small grin playing on his lips. ‘Deal
We share a moment before my stomach gurgles. I’m hungry, and Joaquin snorts.
“Wanna share the pike?”
“I would love that,” I say as I stand up to walk around Joaquin’s right arm. He watches me in silent curiosity, arching an eyebrow when I plop down in front of his chest to lean against his dark skin.
It makes him breathe a laugh. ‘Is this your version of being inside of my bra?”
I crane my neck to meet his eyes with a grin. “Payback is sweet,” wink at him and reach up my hand to squeeze his nipple, eliciting a yelp from him that echoes between all the freaking trees in the forest.
Hey, easy! he scolds playfully, swatting my hand away with the tip of a gargantuan finger. It causes me to rock back a little, but his chest serves as a comfortable cushion, preventing me from falling.
He looks down at me, an amused sparkle in his eyes. ‘Is that your way of saying thanks for saving your a*s?”
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Chapter 16
“I could say thanks another way.” I suggest, my grin widening.
‘Oh?” There’
a playful curiosity in his voice. His giant form still feels strange, but I’m beginning to enjoy it.
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Since his head isn’t far away. I quickly stand up and launch myself at his face with vampiric speed. I press my lips against his lips, albeit much larger than mine. It’s hard to kiss him when he is this size, but the surprise and delight that fill his eyes are worth any effort. I can hear him laugh into the kiss before pulling back slightly.
“Okay, let me fix this, he says as he shrinks back to his “normal” fairy self, who is only a couple of feet taller than me. “There,” he says. “Is this better?”
My response is to attack him.
With a playful growl, I launch myself at him. Now that he’s within my size range, it’s an easy win.
We tumble back onto the soft forest floor, a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter. Joaquin’s muscular arms encircle me protectively even as he lands on his back with an oof. We lay there for a moment, catching our breaths,
my
head nestled against his chest and listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
He breaks the silence first. “So… still hungry?” His voice vibrates through his chest and reaches my ears in a soothing hum.
I laugh lightly at his reminder of our yet-to-be-eaten dinner. “Starving, actually,” I admit, my stomach chiming in for good measure with a timely growl.
I can feel him chuckle beneath me. ‘Well, in that case… Joaquin says, gently disentangling himself and sitting up. watch as he approaches the giant dead fish. ‘Do you want to share this thing?”
A smile breaks over my lips. “Gladly.”
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