Tiger's Mate

Chapter 27 prt. 2

•Katski•

Thanks to Ethan's distracting tactics between him and myself, it seemed he thought what happened in the clearing would be easily forgotten by the end of the day. I told him once more how dumb an idea it was to reveal himself as we were heading back to camp. He had answered again by nuzzling into my neck, like he just couldn't be bothered to care. Maybe I had forgotten to continue telling him off for a little while after that. He had been acting strangely...cuddlesome. As the sun fell lower.

But regarding what happened in the clearing — it was pretty hard to ignore the talk of a wolf in the woods that had spread throughout the whole camp by the time we arrived for dinner. Ethan and I had barely gotten there and already it didn't take long for the whispers to reach us before we had even gotten to the main centre. It took even less time after that for me to notice one of the guys we'd seen earlier standing on top of one of the eating tables and presumably describing something 'huge' to the small group of people gathered around listening.

"See what you did you moron?" I hissed quietly just as we passed the large table with our food. Ethan listened to the story being told, since the both of us even from a distance could hear every detail, and I could have sworn it was laughter dancing in his eyes along with that smirk.

I glared disapprovingly until we had sat down at our usual table further away.

My mate only pretended he didn't see it.

"Relax, nobody's really buying the story since those idiots are describing it as the size of a horse with demon eyes," he quoted with a roll of his eyes. "You can tell the camp people think those two are just trying to stir some story...for attention seems like the logical assumption."

He was right of course.

"Still, you know the rule," I said. That one big rule of the supernatural law and order; only reveal to humans you trust. "Word is still enough to get some people rattled. They're going around spreading unnecessary fear that a black demon dog's going to attack students in their tents tonight."

Ethan shook his head dismissively. "No one is more scared of that happening than those two morons themselves. And you won't have to worry, the wolf won't visit them as long as they behave," he smiled and mused down at his next bite of food.

He purposefully made sure I saw the flash of white of his canine teeth as he bit down on the metal fork with a clink.

I smiled, but I couldn't quite force it to meet all the way to my eyes. Ethan noticed.

He always noticed. And so he didn't say anything, a purposeful silence inviting me to speak what was on my mind now before he outright demanded to know in a few seconds.

"You..." I looked down at the table surface. "Just be careful, alright?"

He cocked his head ever so slightly, not getting it.

"Humans are humans," I sighed, a quiet reminder that we weren't quite the same, no matter how similar. "They're curious, as well as quick to fear, and they do what they think is right for themselves and those around them. Don't underestimate their ability to act on a threat — even if in this case, it's viewed as nothing. Even if all they believe it might be a stray dog or wolf, this is a camp sight for humans and kids. I don't want...I can't think of you...I can't..." I mentally cursed and have my head a shake to get myself together. "Just don't be an idiot and get your ass caught. I won't risk them sending...people."