Chapter 86

We entered the woods but didn’t go directly toward the source of the scent.

We charged at each other playfully, trying to act as if we didn't know another werewolf was nearby.

But as we got closer to their position, we could hear them in the underbrush, moving away from us.

“Don’t run,” Victor ordered. “If we run after him now, he’s far enough away to escape.”

“The intruder is a male and a Beta,” Diana said.

“And he is young,” Adam added.

“Yes, he smells like a new wolf,” Victor agreed.

“Let’s just find out who it is.” Who would dare trespass on my father’s territory? It was disrespectful.

Alex sometimes allowed others to hunt and run on his land if they asked his permission first. He hadn’t mentioned anything about granting his permission to anyone lately.

I didn’t want the intruder harmed, but they must be warned not to trespass again.

We picked up the pace as we strolled through the trees, trying to act as if we had no particular destination in mind.

But our quarry was on the move too.

We heard him stumble over a deadfall and almost caught up to him in the small clearing where Victor had found me on the night raccoons scared me.

As we entered the clearing, we saw the intruder entering the trees on the other side. He knew we were aware of his presence, and we ran as fast as we could before he made it off Alex’s land.

After running through the trees for another half mile, we came to the dirt road that bordered Alex’s property to the east.

A small pickup truck was speeding away from us, much faster than was safe on the bumpy road.

“They got away,” I said.

“It was probably somebody who lived in the city and wanted a run,” Victor said.

“If I lived in a city, I would do the same thing,” Diana said. “There’s nothing but concrete and asphalt there.”

We returned through the woods, checking for tracks and scents.

The evidence told us that the young male werewolf was alone, and he came from the dirt road. His scent was the strongest in the treeline facing the mansion.

“Can we please have one more run around the fields?” Diana requested.

“Why not?” I answered, and we ran toward the northern hedgerow.

Adam/Victor followed, and we ran in a circle until we found ourselves near the pond.

“I’m so thirsty,” I said as I hurried to the water’s edge.

Suddenly there was a flurry of black fur over my head, and a huge splash spewed water all over me.

“Victor!” I squealed. “What are you doing?”

“Adam and I are hot,” he replied. “Come on in. The water’s great.”

“You know I can’t swim.” I can’t believe he suggested it.

“Of course, you can swim. All wolves can swim.”

“Not this wolf,” I insisted.

“You can swim,” Diana said. “Your fear made you almost drown in William’s swimming pool.”

“How deep is the water?” I asked.

Victor’s wolf disappeared under the water for a few seconds and resurfaced.

“There’s a gradual incline, Daisy,” Victor said. “You can walk into the water, and it won’t immediately be over your head.”

“Go ahead and try it,” Adam encouraged. “Victor can shift back to his human form quickly if you need help.”

“Well…okay.” I put one paw in the water. It was warmer than the air and felt smooth and inviting.

“Here I go,” I announced and put all four of my paws into the water.

“That’s it,” Victor said. “Wade in a little more so the water is deep enough for you to try to swim without it being over your head.”

I did as he said, and the water was soon up to my chest. I had to admit the water felt wonderful after our run.

“Now what?” I splashed around a little with one paw.

Victor swam closer. “Just move your front paws in a circular motion like you’re trying to dig a hole.”

I had seen this on TV. “Is this called the doggy paddle?”

“Did you think we would be doing the llama paddle?” Victor teased. I heard all the other’s laughter echoing through my head.

I lowered myself into the water and copied Victor’s motions.

It was working. “I can swim!” I announced. I let loose a victory howl and sank far enough that my mouth filled with water.

I sputtered and spat out the water.

Laughter filled my mind again.

I concentrated on what I was doing, and before long, I could swim across the pond.

“This is great,” I said. “But can I swim as a human?”

“You should be able to,” Diana said. “Why don’t you shift back long enough to find out?”

“I can’t swim naked,” I said.

“You could wear your underwear and bra,” Diana suggested. “It will be the same as wearing a bikini.”

“But my stuff is over the rosebush,” I said.

“Allow me to be a gentleman,” Adam said, and I heard Victor laughing again.

When the big black wolf rose out of the water and trotted toward the roses, I paddled around the shallower water while I waited.

In a few minutes, he returned with my bra and panties in his mouth and laid them on the side of the pond.

I made my way toward my undergarments.

“Turn the other way for a minute,” I told Victor.

“We promise we won’t peek,” he said and turned around.

I climbed out of the water and shook my fur as dry as possible. Then I envisioned my image and willed myself back to my human form.

In a split second, I was myself again and hurried into the bra and panties before entering the water again.

Victor still had his back facing me, but he was also human.

“Why did you shift too?” I asked.

“The better to save you if needed, my dear,” he teased.

Victor was watching me carefully now. “Make sure you stay in water no deeper than your chest.”

I entered the water deeper and leaned forward while paddling my arms. I was overjoyed when I stayed afloat and started moving forward. I could swim faster as a human.

“That’s excellent, Daisy,” Victor said. “Try to swim across the pond to me.”

I changed direction and swam toward Victor. We met almost in the center of the pond.

“I want to teach you how to tread water,” he said.

“Is the water deep here?” I asked.

“Yes, but don’t panic. I’m right here. Just stay in place, kick your legs beneath you, and move your arms back and forth at your sides.”

I did as he said, and it worked. My head was staying above water.

“Woo hoo. I can do it,” I said and sank.

I didn’t have time to panic when an arm instantly went around my waist and pulled me back to the surface.

“You really should stop bragging until you’re better at this,” Victor said as he watched water run from my nose.

“You have a point,” I admitted. “Let me try again.”

He waited until I was ready and then let me go. Within a few minutes, I could tread water and swim across the pond.

“It’s getting late,” Victor said.

We started to leave the water, but when we were in a shallower spot, Victor splashed me.

“Hey,” I shouted and splashed him back.

He built up a wall of water with his arm and sent it my way.

After the water was finished dripping down my face, I charged him and pushed his head under the surface.

He grabbed me and pulled me under with him.

I was giggling under the water as we came to the surface with our arms around each other.

The contact of our wet bodies made my body throb and tingle, and I bolted from the water.

I splashed to the pond's edge and shouted over my shoulder, “I’ll be right back with your clothes. Stay there.”

I hurried to the roses, trying to act cool, but the feel of his body against mine when we were in the water together, had me overheated.

His body felt right against my skin. But there was a lot I didn’t understand, and the feelings made me jumpy and nervous too.

I wrapped my shawl around my wet body before taking Victor’s clothes to the pond's edge.

“I’m tired. Thanks for the swimming lesson and the run. Good night.”

“I’ll pick you up for a lesson tomorrow,” Victor called after me.

“Okay,” I agreed as I ran for the house.

As I closed the front door behind me, I heard the Lamborghini’s engine start and the car speeding down the driveway.

I was looking forward to more lessons. Victor taught me many things since I met him, but I was afraid of the way Victor sometimes made me feel.