Merci flew for three and a half hours before perching herself on top of an oak. She was still in bird form but she didn’t know for how much longer. What she did know was that she wanted rest.

She found a comfortable spot up on one of the highest branches of the large oak tree and rested between the trunk and a branch. Closing her eyes, she found herself falling asleep.

It wasn’t for but a matter of thirty minutes later, Merci let out a scream as she was awakened by crashing through several branches. Upon her descent, she heard the rustling of the grass and branches below as a rather large black wolf appeared under her. Which, caused her to scream more.

She tried countless times to grapple onto the branches as she fell through them but failed. And as the ground and the large wolf came into full view, Merci braced herself for the pain and death her body was about to receive.

“Trust the wolf.” The voice in her head spoke quickly. “Land on his back. He is trustworthy. Trust me.” The voice begged.

Merci had two options now. Fully trust this voice that has been aiding her for the past few months or to try to attack the wolf.

“Trust.” The male voice said one more time.

Merci took a deep breath as she only had a few seconds left to decide her fate. “Trust.” She whispered. She closed her eyes and felt her body impact something soft. Once she realized she was safe she opened her scarlet eyes and saw the shape of the wolf below her.

She screamed one more time before fully realizing she wasn’t in any danger as the wolf hadn’t tried to attack her yet. Instead she and the wolf's body shifted below her as the wolf started to transition. As the transition took place Merci didn’t move. She was shocked with what was happening before her.

A man that was well-toned and tanned stood holding her where the black wolf once was. His hair was jet black and shoulder length and his clothes appeared to be minimal.

He looked down at her and grinned a flashy smile that showed perfect teeth. And his eyes sparkled like a star.

“You are a handful to look after.” He said.

Stolen novel; please report.

Merci just blinked up at him. Confused and a bit star-struck. This was the most handsome man she had seen in the last three months and yet here she was unable to hold a proper conversation.

“Thought the King said you could speak?” He asked her.

“I-” Merci was a muttering mess.

The man laughed. His joyous, hardy laughter filled the air. Merci felt her cheeks flush as heat rose in them. “Merci, it’s alright.”

She blinked at him. Shocked that the man knew her name.

“Merci, you are alright, right?” The man looked down at her as his laughter died down. His face shifted as he stared down at her.

After a few moments of collecting her thoughts, Merci was finally able to answer, “Yes.”

“You can talk! Must have just been stunned by the handsome man before you.” He grinned, “Ah, don’t worry, I ain’t too full of myself. Besides, it’s not me who wants you. It’s the King of Sunne who has been trying to find you.”

The man helped Merci to her feet. Once on her feet, she couldn’t help but study his well-built frame. She shook her head and refocused on the bigger picture at play. “Who is the King of Sunne and what does he want with me?”

“First, let’s get to camp. Then we will explain some things.”

“We?” Merci questioned.

“Yes. Myself and my partner in crime so to speak. Though don’t tell him that. He likes to think he is the King’s favorite.”

He began to trek further in the direction Merci was traveling in. Merci followed him. Part due to her curiosity and part due to the voice telling her to trust.

“Who are you?” Merci questioned breaking the silence that fell.

The man glanced back at her and smiled once more, “Well I am Nikulas.” Once he spoke he turned back and focused on the path ahead.

“Well, I say my name but you already know that.” Merci said as she crossed her arms.

To her surprise she was able to keep up with the man as he was much taller than her. Her five foot five frame compared to his massive six foot nine. His legs were long as his strides were much larger than her own. She did notice over time that his pace slowed so she was able to keep up with ease.

“We are here.” He said after thirty more minutes of travel.

He parted a set of bushes and Merci’s eyes fell onto another man. “It’s about time for Nikulas, I was beginning to worry.” The new figure was just as equally well-built tanned and had short ruffled auburn hair.

“Please, the girl was stunned, then her much shorter appearance made travel slower.” Nikulus responded.

“Excuses. Did you check in with the King?” The mysterious man asked.

“Nope, but I figured he knows. Their bond and all.”

Merci is silent throughout their conversation. She was confused with the mention of bond. More confused with how these men appeared to be human but have pointed ears.

“What are you?” Merci questioned them, causing their conversation to fall silent, causing both of them to stare at her blankly.

“You…You don’t know what we are?” Both men stared at her, puzzled.