Book 1- Notes From A Long Island

Chapter 7: Interview with a Skinchanger

I woke up on a cot next to Conor's human body. He was still in his wolf body resting on top of me. Upon seeing me awake, he whined. I petted him and gave him feelings of reassurance.

Conor licked me on the lips. You had us all worried there for a second. We all felt the emotional overload surge through your body. Then you went blank! We didn't feel you for a little bit! His ears went back and he rested his head on my chest. Nothing we did could wake you. I mean nothing. We were scared... I was scared that you would not wake up... like how she did not...

Another one of mine who is still grieving. I cupped his head and face, trying my best to soothe him too. Emotions like grief are tricky and I have much difficulty with handling them. I still tried my best with Conor. He perked up a bit more afterwards.

"One thing I know is that I will never leave you guys." I kissed him on his snout.

Conor wagged his tail. Should I go back into my human body now?

I looked around. Everyone was still doing their own thing. No one noticed I was awake yet. "If you want Conor."

He got off of me to allow me to sit up and stretch. "How long was I out for?" I asked him before he changed skins.

About an hour. Conor responded as his soul left the wolf and entered the human. As human now, he sat up, stretching as well.

"That's it? Feels longer!" I told him, getting up.

"Yeah, tell me about me!" Conor's joints made noises.

I helped steady him. "When was the last time you went human?"

"During one of the stops we made in Rhode Island, about a week ago." He held on to me tight.

"Good, not that long then." I told him, satisfied.

"Abe, don't worry. I know I need to frequently switch but..."

"But..." I tried to coerce out of him.

Still holding on to me, he suddenly pulled me into a hug. We melted into each other.

"...but I really enjoy being a wolf." Conor put his face into my neck, breathing me in. I did the same to him. "And even though I enjoy being a wolf, I really do miss wrapping my arms around another being... and kissing properly." He did just that, pulled me into a very deep and passionate kiss. Either he missed kissing in general, missed kissing me, or missed kissing her, I don't know. It could even be a little bit of all of that. But what I do know is that he needed me just as much as I needed him. We just stood there kissing until someone cleared their throat.

Ines stood with her arms crossed looking serious, but I knew she was not serious.

When Conor pulled away from me, Ines jumped in to do the same with me. Kissing me more deeply then he did, and trying her best given her snout. We made it work and we melted into each other as we embraced.

"You made us so worried sick!" Ines told me as she pulled away but stayed close to me.

"You can say that again!" War spoke from behind me.

He sandwiched me between himself and Ines. They both hugged me tightly. Conor joined us. Then the rest of my pack, sans Gaspar, came to make it a proper group hug. I felt the love, oh boy did I feel their love.

"Don't do that ever again!" Gina yelled from somewhere in the group.

"I second that!" Louis said from somewhere near Gina.

"I triple that motion!" Autumn added from somewhere opposite them.

For the longest time no one moved. I felt everyone as they touched me: the Four Horsemen, Ines, Conor, Gina, Louis, Autumn, Crystal, and Moriko. Huh, interesting that Moriko was there even though I have yet to make her a full member yet. Once everyone got their fill, and they knew that I did as well, they all pulled away and scattered; resuming whatever they were doing before.