The Alignment

The sun streaming through the cabin windows woke us the next morning. Not that we’d gotten much sleep, after all. Raydir shifted next to me on the sofa, his cheek rough against mine as we laid there together. I slowly slipped out of his embrace to get changed. Rosie had helped me find a handful of outfits that would at least let me have something to wear for a few days.

“We make all of our own clothes out here,” she had said. I’d always wanted to learn how to sew, and Ginny had just started to teach me. Maybe if one day I went back…well, would I ever go back?

Satisfied with a new white and green corset dress, I wrote out a note for Raydir and headed out to the stables. The trails along the water were calling, and I hadn’t checked on Majesty since giving him to the stable hands the day before. Luckily, others were already awake and bustling around the valley. I waved to Rosie as she led a horse out of the barn.

“Good morning, Arwyn,” she greeted me. “Want to go for a ride? There are some lovely paths to explore around here.”

“I would love to. That’s actually why I’m out. I wanted to let Raydir sleep. We had a rough night.”

Rosie nodded in understanding. “Nightmares again? Yes, I believe Bennett and some others still get them too. Did the tea help?”

“Somewhat. We ended up talking into the late hours of the night, but the second cup of tea did the trick to help him sleep.” I mounted Majesty and nudged him into a walk. Rosie and her horse took the lead with us following closely behind. She brought us through the woods just beyond the valley until we stopped at a waterfall that flowed into a beautiful crystal blue pool.

“Wow,” I breathed. “This is magical.”

“There’s a reason we seek out the valley.” She pointed to the landscape around us.

“It certainly is peaceful,” I commented, still not fully understanding.

“You don’t know the legend, then?”

I shook my head.

Rosie dismounted and motioned for me to do the same. “The history of the wolf curse goes back a long while. In our world, Solarelm, everyone is born with a dormant wolf spirit. And the only way the spirit becomes evoked is when someone rejects their Chosen.”

“So the curse is connected to the Fate Ceremony?” I asked, thinking back to all my history lessons growing up.

Rosie nodded. “As the story always seems to go, there were two brothers who ruled over the dukedoms. Each duke was blessed with a son, Jasper and Randel. As the cousins grew up, their fathers knew that one day each boy would inherit the respective throne, so they created the Fate Ceremony. They believed that it was best to leave the decision up to the fates rather than letting their sons choose for themselves.”

“I see.”

“Since Jasper was the first-born who was slightly older than Randel, he chose first. All the eligible maidens joined together to see who would be wed to them. While this didn’t seem to mean much at the time, it meant a whole lot more when Jasper drew the name of Delia, a duchess in Gwyniar, from the cauldron.”

She continued before I could ask any questions, “Rumor had it that Delia and Randel were in love. They had planned on running away together.”

“That sounds familiar.” I looked out over the water, sliding out of Majesty’s saddle.

“While Jasper accepted this fate, Delia did not. She ran out of the ceremony, causing chaos to ensue. It is rumored that she couldn’t say yes because she was already secretly betrothed to Randel.”

“How did people know?” I asked.

Rosie waved her hand. “Information came out over the years from witnesses who had seen Randel and Delia together before the ceremony.” She continued, “This all happened on an Alignment. As soon as the moons were in full alignment, the shift happened. He turned into a wolf, and ran off into the woods. Delia, devastated, sought Jasper’s help to find her love.”

“Did they succeed?”

“Yes. That same night, Jasper confronted his cousin in the woods, but because the wolf spirit had turned him aggressive, Randel attacked him, ultimately turning him as well.”

“So what happened to Jasper after he was attacked? And what about Delia? Was her wolf spirit then released too?”

Rosie pursed her lips in thought. “We believe so, and that is why Darqua became the wolf valley as a way to protect the three from anyone who tried to hunt them down. No one knew what the wolf spirit could do, and after Randel attacked Jasper, they didn’t know what to think.”

“So, then these two wolf types. Does anyone know which one they have until the Alignment happens? And if that’s true, why haven’t I had nightmares?” This still didn’t sit right with me. Why hadn’t I had any indication of a wolf spirit?

“As we’ve said, the Alignment affects everyone differently. And it’s taken many years and many Alignments to perfect the remedies. For you, it may be present in other ways.”

A bell sounded in the distance, echoing through the valley.

“Ah. That’s the call for breakfast. We should be heading back.” Rosie climbed back onto her horse, and we set back for the cabins. I quickly located Raydir talking with someone outside our cabin. She was the other woman who had been by Bennett’s side at our arrival in Darqua.

I narrowed my eyes. I’d known Ray for a long time; he often conversed with other women who also had a tendency to fall at his feet. This woman, however, seemed unfathomed.

He gave a wave as I walked over.

“Hi,” I greeted him with a kiss, running my fingers over the shadow along his jawline. “Who’s this?” I turned to look at the girl on our doorstep.

The girl smiled. “I’m Caesaria. Raydir was just telling me that you arrived last night. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself yet. The days leading to the Alignment are always rough.” She pronounced her name with a hard ‘c’.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m learning. How long have you and your boyfriend been here?”

Caesaria blushed. “Actually, I’m not here with my boyfriend.”

I raised my eyebrows, my arm tightening protectively around Raydir’s torso. “Oh?”

“I ran away from home when I was ten. I didn’t want to go through my Fate Ceremony, so I figured if I left that life behind early on, I would be safe.” Caesaria shrugged. “I guess rejecting my future—any future—woke the wolf spirit.”

“Wait, so you said since you were ten?”

She nodded, tucking some hair behind her ear. “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but it was for the best. I’m sure the same was true of your decision to be with Raydir.”

“Are you the only one out here without a…partner?”

“I’m…I’m the only one who came out here under different circumstances. But you’ll find that most people fall into the category of rejecting their fated for another man. Or woman.” She glanced at the Grand Cabin. “We should head in for breakfast.”

“Good idea. We’ll catch up.” Once she was out of sight, Raydir sweeped me into his arms and kissed me deeply, his tongue dancing over my mouth.

“Mm,” I moaned, knees turning to jelly beneath me. “Hello to you too.”

He grinned. “I’ve been thinking about how I really do get to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”

“Well, I love to hear that. And I love to see you so happy.” I brushed my fingers over his cheek. “How was the rest of the night after the tea?”

“Better. I think it really did help. And I drank the next cup when I woke up. Speaking of, you said in your note that you went out. Where did you go?”

I gestured to the landscape. “Rosie and I took the horses out for a ride. And she told me the history of the wolf curse.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s talk about it after we eat.”

Raydir nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

We hurried to join the rest of the folks in the valley at the Grand Cabin for breakfast. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming; I was glad there were so many wonderful people out here.

Once we finished eating, Raydir and I decided to go for another ride after breakfast so I could show him the waterfall. As we rode across the paths that Rosie had shown me earlier, I relayed to him what she’d said about the history of the Wolf Curse.

“I’m surprised we didn’t learn more about it in school,” Raydir commented.

I nodded. “Me too. Although when you think about it, they probably did that more to protect us.”

He shrugged. “You’re probably right. With our fathers in charge, they have the power to control the school curriculum. But you’d think it would be an important part of our history to know.”

“Yeah.”

Our horses trotted along silently until we reached the clearing. I pointed out the waterfall as we slowed our horses to a stop and dismounted.

“Amazing, really. Look how blue the water is.” Ray glanced at me. His fingers reached for the buttons of his shirt. “Do you wanna swim?”

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“Here? Now?” Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Together?”

He laughed. “Here, now, and together. Yes.” He held out his hand to me. “What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing. I just…well, you…” I cleared my throat. “Um, just turn around.”

He obeyed, and I slipped off my dress to the modified corset top sewn to a bottom piece of fabric. It felt awkward to wear but it was better than nothing. Literally.

“Ok, it’s safe. Your turn.”

He turned back around and smiled, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

“What?” I asked, wrapping my arms around my body, suddenly aware of how exposed I was to him. He had never seen me in anything less than the dresses I wore at the palace. And despite the few moments we’d had together on our journey, I still wasn’t ready for him to see me completely exposed.

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. Why are you staring at me like that?” If it were even possible, my cheeks grew warmer.

“Because you’re staring at me.” He smirked.

“Am not.” My gaze traveled down his body from his eyes to his torso to the trail leading down…nope. No. We’re not thinking about that right now.

“Are too.”

My eyes snapped back to his. “You happen to just capture my attention, that’s all. We have been fooling around since we were sixteen.

“Well then this is no different. Fooling around with you is the best part of my day.” He pulled me closer. I let out a small squeak as I felt just how close our bodies were, just how hot his breath was on my cheek, just how weak the sight of him made my knees.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing there’s no one around to get in the way,” I whispered in his ear.

He hoisted me up to wrap my legs around his waist. My fingers tangled their way into his hair as his arms roamed over my back.

“Watch your step,” I murmured, which sounded about as romantic as a rock.

He let out a low, soft growl in response, stepping toward the water. Of course, he miscalculated and slipped, causing both of us to fall into the water.

I emerged for air, gasping and laughing all the same. “I told you to watch your step.” I flicked water at him.

He shrugged, a teasing smile playing at the corner of his lips. “That was my fault.”

“Yeah it was.”

“So tell me,” Raydir said, his hands still on waist. “What are you afraid of with me?”

I reached up to tuck my hair behind my ears. “I’m not afraid. I mean, we’ve only been sleeping toge—er, falling asleep together since we started on the trip out here. There’s not much I haven’t seen with you.”

Raydir raised his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes.

“Not like that. I just mean, we’ve experienced so much together, that I don’t need to be afraid because I know I have you,” I said.

He kissed me again. “You really are something else, Arwyn Kingston.”

***

The darkness of the evening came much too quickly, just like the hastening of my heart beat as I watched the sky.

“Are you ok?” Raydir asked me, his fingers curled around a mug with the last dose of ibisco tea.

My heart swelled. I should’ve been the one asking him that. He was the one shifting tonight, and that guilt weighed down on me.

I nodded shakily. “We’re in this together. And I will be right by your side through this entire thing.” I clutched the praesidium crystal from Rosie in my hands. “We’re going to be okay.” Maybe if I kept saying it, it would be true.

Ray set the mug down on the table and took my hand. “C’mon, let’s go outside. Rosie and Bennett are meeting us before the Alignment.”

We walked outside where several people had already gathered, ready to consume the moonlight.

“Arwyn, Raydir! There you are. We were beginning to get worried,” Rosie said.

“Just getting everything in order,” Raydir replied. “So what do we need to do?” Despite the steadiness of his voice, fear swam in his eyes.

“The moons should be aligning any minute. And when they do, Raydir, you’ll start to feel the change. It’s going to be painful. The first shift always is. You just have to remind him of who he is.”

“Got it.” I looked up at the sky. Any second now. Any second—

“Arggh!” Raydir clawed his head with his fingers and dropped to his knees with a thud.

“Ray!” I shrieked, trying to keep my composure. “Ray, stay with me!”

He let out a scream that froze me to my core.

“Raydir!” I panicked, frozen with fear.

“Gahhh!” Raydir clutched at his head and groaned. "Arwyn, go!"

“The crystal, Arwyn!” Rosie cried. Next to me, she began to morph as well, her blonde hair turning into tufts of grey fur.

Right, the crystal. My fingers fumbled for it, swiping at the grass beneath me to where it had fallen. I clutched the stone close to my heart. Slick with sweat, the crystal warmed up in my hands from the heat of my fingers. The edges dug into my palms as I held it tight.

“Stay with me, Raydir. I love you. Me, Arwyn. I love you. I love you.” A ray of light shot out from the crystal in my hands, surrounding the two of us in a purple glow. Nothing around me seemed real anymore.

Down on all fours, he let out a low growl and a whimper, his eyes flashing golden before turning a deep blue as his body morphed from man to wolf. Clothes transformed into fur. Extremities transformed into paws. Speech transformed into howls. He rocked back and forth on all fours, his breath coming out in heavy pants. Where his hair had once been, it was now blonde fur that covered his entire body.

“Stay with me, Ray,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face now. Glancing up at his now fur-covered face, it was hard to tell if he was still there. “Ray?”

The wolf in front of me threw his head back and let out a howl, the sound echoing through the valley in sync with the other wolves. “Awoooooooooo!!!!”

“Ray?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.

He let out a small whimper, nudged at my knee with his snout. I love you, Arwyn.

I gasped, falling backwards and landing hard on my elbows. Did he just talk to me?

Yes, wolf-Raydir replied.

In my head. This all had to be in my head. Of course it was in my head. So why can he answer me?

I guess this is part of the transformation. He pawed at the ground. Wait for me at the cabin. He took off with the rest of the pack, leaving me speechless and extremely confused.

“Telepathy?” I asked out loud. “Rosie didn’t say anything about telepathy.” Speaking of…I looked around. In the midst of the transformation, most of the others had abandoned the scene, most likely to be with their wolves or to let them have their night.

My beating heart was the only other sound than the wind. I sat on the ground trying to take in everything that had just happened. Every single wolf in the valley had just shifted. And yet, here I was. Still human.

I looked down at my hands.

Now what?

With what little energy I had left and amongst the confusion swirling around my head, I hauled myself back to the cabin and dressed in my nightgown. But there was no way I was going to sleep until I knew Raydir was safe behind the locked door with me.

Tick. Tok. Tick. Tok. The clock on the wall filled the silence, and my eyes never left the door. Now that the Alignment had happened, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it would be like each time. Raydir would shift and I would…what? Watch him suffer?

Why hasn’t my wolf spirit awakened, dammit?! I cursed at the sky. “I came out here to be with Raydir. His burden is my burden. So what the hell happened?”

Just then the door burst open, and Raydir stumbled in, his face grimy and clothes mussed.

“Arwyn.” His voice came out low and gruff as his eyes scanned the room for me.

“Raydir.” I ran over to him. He wrapped his arms around me, breathing heavily.

“Are you ok? Are you hurt?” I asked, pulling back. A layer of sweat glistened on his forehead and his face was streaked with dirt.

“Just need some water,” he rasped. He exhaled sharply every few seconds to catch his breath.

I nodded, rushing over to the kitchen to pour him a glass. We sat on the sofa together as he drank. “How is that?”

“Better.” He turned to me, his green eyes filled with fear and concern. “How are you? This can’t be easy on you, I know, and I’m so—”

I pressed my fingers to his lips. “Don’t apologize.”

He traced his hands down my sides and leaned forward. His lips parted and his fingers curled through my hair. “What now?”

“We should get you cleaned up,” I said. I tugged at his arm and led him into the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, I dipped my fingers under the tap to test the temperature. When I turned around, Raydir was looking at me with that familiar yearning hunger in his eyes.

I planted my feet firmly in front of him. My hands trailed down his chest, hooking around the fabric of his shirt. He let out a growl of approval as I lifted the fabric up over his head and tossed it to the side.

I reached over to turn off the water before helping Raydir ease into the tub. I followed, not caring that the water was soaking through my nightgown. Taking a sponge, I ran it over his torso, allowing the soapy water to dribble down his chest. He gripped onto the edges of the tub as the sponge traveled over the top of his now-soaked trousers.

I bit my lip. “Sorry. I-I can stop.”

He shook his head. “No. Keep going.” His voice came out low and gruff.

I continued to wash his body. After a few minutes, he stopped to remove his wet trousers. Water sloshed out of the tub and onto the floor, but we didn’t care. He took the sponge from my hands and cleaned his lower half.

My cheeks flushed and I sat awkwardly in front of him. Raydir reached onto the shelf to grab a second sponge.

His eyes flashed a deeper green as he said, “Your turn.” His hands slid over my shoulders, dropping the sleeves of my nightgown so more of my body was exposed. Dragging the sponge over my clavicle, he made his way down over my breasts and along my rib cage.

I bit back a moan at his touch, tilting my head back and closing my eyes. When I opened them again, Raydir smirked.

“Liking that, are we?”

I splashed him playfully. Then I realized this was the first time he’d seen me naked. I self-consciously wrapped my arms around my body.

He grinned and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his lap. “You don’t have to hide from me, you know. You’re beautiful.

I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re safe again.”

Raydir tugged at the ends of my hair. “Me too. Thank you for taking care of me.” He tugged at my lips and leaned us back. I shrieked, wrapping an arm around his neck and using the other to steady myself against his chest. His heart beat thudded hard beneath my fingertips.

“Always.”

Ray’s eyes scanned my face. He wanted more, he wanted me. Before I knew what I was doing, my lips nuzzled their way to his neck. I bit the skin lightly, teasing it with my tongue. Raydir tightened his grip on my waist and let out a low groan. He lifted my mouth to meet his again before pulling away. Exhaustion flickered in his eyes.

“We should, um”—I cleared my throat—“we should probably get some rest. You exerted a lot of energy with the shift tonight. I can’t even imagine how you’re…”

He nodded. “You’re right.”

We took turns getting up out of the tub. Raydir wrapped me in one of the fluffy white towels in our bathroom, giving me privacy to change into a fresh nightgown. By the time I came back out, Raydir was already passed out on his bed. Shirtless.

I smiled, pressing a kiss to his temple. He reached out an arm and I clasped my fingers with his.

“Stay with me,” he mumbled into the pillow.

“Okay.” I gently climbed into the bed next to him and curled up under his embrace. Sleep and exhaustion overpowered my body. I couldn’t even imagine what Raydir must’ve felt. “Sweet dreams, my love.”