What Lies Beneath His Pelt?

CHAPTER 11: JOHANNA AND BATAIR

August 14, XX83 || 20:30:03

Shufurbs Forest, Shufurbs, Opeure

Batair had just finished his transformation but the familiar heat that rushed through his arms, legs, and neck as he reoriented himself still coursed through his veins.

He walked through the forest shirtless and barefoot, but it was fine. No one would see him anyway. Being the woodcutter’s son had its benefits after all since he knew where the thickest part of the forest was, or where the perfect place to change into his wolf form without being disturbed was.

He sighed as he remembered the day he became Hadansmuto.

It was on his twenty-first birthday when he decided to celebrate it by camping alone just to prove to his father that he could do it. He had set up camp and had the fire going steady when he heard whimpers coming from across his site.

Curiosity overtook his rational mind and he followed after the sound, only to find a child tied up in one of the trees. He was probably between the ages of four and seven and the scared look he gave him was enough to get him to untie him from the tree.

However, as they were about to escape, hooded figures surrounded them. Before he could react, he was hit and rendered unconscious. When he came to, he laid on an altar made of twigs, his wrists and ankles shackled in thick poles. He only wore a simple linen cloth to cover his member and he realized he was surrounded by the same hooded figures who knocked him out.

Their hoods were pulled up on their heads and he couldn’t recognize anyone else, as they wore ornate masks that covered their entire faces. One of these hooded figures approached him, carrying an animal pelt in one hand and a dagger in the other.

“You caused a disturbance in one of our sacred rituals and the Hadansmuto was not pleased. Because of that, you shall be punished...” He spoke, voice low and grave. Batair felt a shiver down his spine.

He wanted to speak but the cloth that covered his mouth stopped him and he could only widen his eyes as the hooded figure began writing runes on his chest. The blade was cold but the wound it left burned. He was slowly losing consciousness and the last thing he could remember before he passed out was being covered by the pelt. When he awoke, he was lying on the ground wrapped in the animal pelt and the scent of copper surrounded him.

He went home, confused as to why he was there, but when he entered their house and saw the scratch marks on the walls and the bloodstains on the floor, everything came rushing back. The child, the hooded figures, the ritual, and his parents’ faces when he arrived and killed them.

Batair stopped walking as those memories flashed in his mind’s eye and he clenched his fists. It had been four years since that happened and it still haunted him. He had no choice though. He was cursed by Hadansmuto and there was no way he could break it. He was going to live with that curse and even his child might be inflicted, but he had to endure it. He was fine with that, he didn’t mind, since he wasn’t planning on starting a family or anything.

Well, everything changed when he caught the scent of the Princess. He growled as he remembered their meeting a month ago and how it affected him. He had to go to the brothel every day just to have his needs met, but even so, it was the Princess he saw when he came.

He wanted to feel her soft skin one more time, he wanted to hear her voice, he wanted to drown in her scent. Looking through the glass wasn’t enough and he was losing his mind. The Princess wearing skin-tight nightgowns didn’t help either.

He gave a frustrated growl as he made his way towards the forest path that led to the princess’ balcony when he heard voices just a few steps ahead of him. He listened in.

“Look, we can do it. We have to do this. Princess Johanna is King Fino’s prized possession, do you understand? She is the reason why that old man works hard to improve our lives and why a lot of people like him. Kill the Princess and he’ll be filled with grief. Once he’s filled with grief, his magic will weaken. That’s how spiritual energy works. The happier you are, the stronger it will be and....”

“...the sadder you are, the weaker it will become and we can easily take him out, right?”

“Right!”

Batair growled and he could feel the dark magic as it rushed through his veins. Without hesitation, he pounced.

The battle wasn’t considered a battle as they only dodged his attacks and he enjoyed playing with his food. He was so caught up with the game that he didn’t notice another man watching them until he felt the arrow pierce his skin and the poison spread.

His adrenaline picked up and in just mere seconds, they were dead. He cleaned the mess he made, but with difficulty as the poison impaired his senses. He managed to wash off the blood and dirt but he knew he wasn’t going to last long if he didn’t seek help.

He debated whether to go to the palace and ask to be healed or to just find a nice spot and let the poison do its thing.

He didn’t know how he made the decision though, but he found himself standing in front of the Princess’ balcony door. She was hunched over her desk writing something under the fading light. He wanted to knock but he had lost all sensation in his body. He just stared at her, remembering every detail, and waited. If he was going to die, he wanted her to be the last thing he saw.

The day after that was a nightmare, but after they had sorted everything out, he was at ease once again. True to their deal, he only came during the full moon after his change. What started as a physical relationship quickly grew into something deeper and he wanted to level up their relationship. He decided to ask her about that on the anniversary of their first meeting and her twenty-first birthday.

He knew it wasn't a full moon at that time and he hoped that it would signify his pure intentions towards her. On that day, he dressed nicely and carried a bouquet of wildflowers as a present. He waited until night fell and as he jumped onto her balcony, he noticed that her father was in her room. He quickly went to the roof and waited. He was glad he put on some scent suppressant so that the King wouldn't get his scent.

"No, Father, I refuse! The Daemomachi Prince can continue asking you but I will not agree to it!" Johanna's voice carried over as she opened the balcony door.

"Why must you be difficult, my daughter? He is a powerful mage and a man of culture. He can protect you and at the same time satisfy your desire to know more about the rest of the cities. Why are you refusing his offer?"

"Because I do not wish to marry without love! I want to rule beside someone I have a deep connection with! I do not want a relationship that is as shallow as yours and mother's!"

A loud slap echoed across the area and his hand trembled at the thought that her father would lay a hand on her. As stealthily as he could, he snuck out and saw that she held onto her cheek, tears threatening to fall.

"You will listen to me, Johanna, and you will listen well. Your mother asked me to protect you and care for you before she died from giving birth to you. I did everything I could to fulfill her wish and it pains me to know that my daughter, my one and only daughter, the heir to the throne, and the child I took care of as she grew, would disobey my wishes. What did I do to deserve such disrespect?" The King sobbed and Batair clenched his fists tighter.

Who is this man? What he is doing is taking advantage of Johanna's emotions!

"I am not disrespecting you, father. I am merely expressing my opinions." She replied in a monotone. He realized she was looking at him.

"I understand, my dear, but you use such hurtful words in expressing your opinions. I do not understand why. You are under my roof and you are bound by my rules. You should be grateful I still allow you to live here."

She looked down at her feet and debated what to do. He was surprised when she looked up at him again and smiled.

"Yes, you are right, father, I am bound by your rules as I am still under your roof…" she climbed over the railing of her balcony and grinned.

Batair understood what she meant and he looked at the nearest tree that was in her father's blind spot.

"...and now, I won't be." She jumped, at the same time he did. He laughed as he ran back to the forest and it took a second before the loud tolling of the bell echoed across the palace. By that time, he was already making his way towards the river where he assumed Johanna would go to hide as the water would wash away her scent.

Mirthful laughter came from his left and as he was about to follow it, he felt a strong impact hit him on his chest. It was so strong that he and the person who collided with him rolled around on the mud. Though the scent was faint thanks to the mud, he was able to recognize the familiar and comforting scent of sweet peas.

Once they stopped rolling, they looked at each other. She giggled as she cupped his face.

“I missed you, Batair. I’m glad you’re here,” she exclaimed as she rested her forehead on his.

“I missed you as well, Johanna,” he replied as one hand tucked a stray strand of hair that escaped her bun under her ear.

They looked at each other and even if the words were unspoken they knew.

Her lips descended on his and he pulled her closer to his chest. They shared slow, sensual kisses and they knew this was different from their past encounters.

This kiss was pure, innocent, a declaration of love and he felt her smile against his lips.

“Run away with me, please,” he whispered, and she nodded without hesitation. They kissed once again and, after that, he helped her up from the ground.

“So where are we going?” She asked as she intertwined her fingers with his and, at the same time, the sound of voices and armor clanking echoed around the forest.

“To my hometown, Salishi.”

*****

Thank you so much for your support and patience! You can see chapter art from the story on my i********:, artbyellysse, or my Deviantart, reza-delavega. Do not forget to leave a comment if you want!