Found You

Walk | Talk | Think

With a one track mind, Callisto’s only thoughts were whether to take this path or that, whether she should double back or keep progressing forward. The scents of Jakart and his brothers were prevalent, clearly defining their constant occupation of this place, but they were not the threads of scent that she was after. None were recent enough to catch and hold her interest, not fresh enough to hint that he was close, but she continued to trail along in their wake, hoping for some bit of luck to come her way and bring her to him. The Fern Gulley might not have been the largest territory out there, but with its densely packed interior travel posed its own set of challenges and added its own difficulties to her mission. If he was moving right now, she may never find him and their paths could cross a dozen different times without either of them being aware of it. Stupid, stupid, her thoughts warned, berated, but though she huffed at her own foolishness she did not give up her pursuit.

Perhaps by chance – she was still convinced her cursed luck was the lowest it could possibly be for anyone – she caught a fresh whiff of the scent that she so ardently followed. For a second she paused, taking a moment to inspect it and be sure, before she aligned her course with it. A new urgency sped her step and caused her grey legs to eat up the ground that separated them faster than she typically traveled, even with a destination in mind. He was close; she did not want to lose his trail before he could be found.

Almost by accident, the healer stepped suddenly clear of the otherwise thick vegetation and halted with a start, surprised to see the grey wolf she had been tracking seated almost expectantly beside a river. Was he waiting for her? As she stood across from him, Calli felt her longing stir yet again, but nowhere during her headlong trek to find him had she given thought to what she would say when she reached him. Faced with him now, she felt entirely at a loss, confused and conflicted and the rapid pace of her hormones did nothing to aid her in thinking her way through. So instead of thinking, she acted. The look on her face was composed though her eyes betrayed her energy and uncertainty. Slowly, searching his expression the entire way, she strode forward, silently and cautiously closing the gap between them. Whether because of her season or not, Callisto did not feel the same sense of anxiety that she had expressed during their last meeting. She could only recall how gentle, considerate, and enjoyable it had been the last time she had succumbed to a desire to be with him, and the temptation to do the same again only continued to strengthen.

She felt her heart speed even just at the close proximity of him as she forewent the boundaries that she typically clung to so stubbornly, slowing as she got closer but not stopping until she was close enough to touch. On a moment of uncontrollable desire, she reached out and nuzzled her cheek against his, her pale gaze closing indulgently as she turned her muzzle into his fur to take in his scent. Was he tolerant? Had she confused him because of the way they had parted ways last? Needing to know, unsure what he might need in order to be okay with her again, Calli drew back slightly, enough to peer searchingly into his face and try to read what she could in his timid expression. She might have wanted more, but she did not want to push her horrible, terrible luck.