Luna found James sitting in a park, the people around him parting and giving him a wide berth. His eyes were vacant as he had a thousand mile stare. It was clear he was thinking hard about something.

"You should go to him," Amber said softly. "He needs you."

Nodding, Luna walked over to her husband. The crowd parted for her easily enough. Simply touching his soul told her how much turmoil he was in.

What happened while he was out? Why did he leave in the first place?

Resting her hand on his back, she waited for him to come back. Minutes passed before his gaze sharpened and he turned to her.

"Come to yell at me?" he asked.

She wanted to. She really did, but something was telling her that if she did, she would lose him. He was a man on the edge of his emotions and thoughts.

"Not today," she answered.

"I can feel your anger and concern," he said softly.

"I have a right to those." Touching his cheek, she frowned. "You left without word. If you needed space, you should have told me, James. I didn't meant to suffocate you, but I worry, you know."

Nodding, he didn't say anything.

"I can feel you too," she continued. "You are troubled and concerned. Fear is not like you. Is it the hunger?"

"Yeah," he whispered.

"Do we need to go hunting? We can leave the city, James. If you want to leave, I will follow."

"Why do you follow me?" he asked.

Frowning, she was about to answer when she realized she didn't have the best of answers.

Why do I follow him? He saved me many times, but is that enough? I changed my entire life for him, but that was for power. I love him, but is it really that simple?

He was clearly waiting on her. Meeting his gaze, she answered, "I don't have a good reason. Not the one you want to hear. But I'm my own person, James. I love you and want to be with you. I'm not after the research or saving the world. I don't care if others join us, or we go alone. I want to be with you because you care. Behind your aura of death and hunger, there is a man that willingly kept his distance from me, just to see me happy. A man that brought me food and supplies everyday for months without asking anything in return. You could have left the city without me and I would have understood. But you kept promising to keep me safe, despite me fearing you. You even promised to secure a path for me back to the forest, and you would have kept your distance. But most importantly, you didn't see me as a monster. I wasn't a freak in your eyes. You cleaned my tail and ears when I wanted. You gave me privacy when I changed. You never leered or gawked. No matter how people see you, I know who you really are. I want to be with you, because you are you…"

Closing his eyes, he sat back. "Is it really that simple?"

"It is." Leaning in, she rested her head on his shoulder. "You're my husband and I want no other. Even if you leave without me, I'll sniff you out and hunt you down. Screw everyone else. Screw this city. Let's figure out the problems ourselves."

He finally cracked a smile. "We might be able to get away from Jamie and Mender, but Amber will follow us."

"If you want to bring them, I will help, James." Cupping his cheek, she turned his head to her. "Don't ever think that you are in this alone. Our lives are one. Have you not felt our souls mingling and mixing. You can't deny that I'm meant for you, and you for me."

Opening his eyes, he looked like he was close to tears. "Thank you…"

Smiling, she kissed his cheek. "Just like you protected me, it's my job to protect you. Also, why do you have grain stuck to your feathers?"

Chuckling, he looked at his chest. "I was helping in the fields this morning."

"Oh? I guess I don't understand their lives. I've always hunted and foraged for my food. Planting crops wasn't something we did as Fenrir. How was it?"

"It was nice. I met a farmer named Jared."

Frowning, she pressed her brows together. "First Jamie, now Jared. How many other J names are you going to run into and make friends with?"

Pausing, she could see his thoughts churning before he started laughing. "I didn't see that before," he admitted.

Giggling, she scooted closer until she was pressed against him. "Tell me about your morning. Do you think you can teach me to harvest wheat?"

"Maybe," he said. "I was figuring it out towards the end, but still hadn't gained a skill for it. It felt really close though. I don't think harvesting alone is enough to earn a farming skill."

"I had Amber buy seeds and other crops." Closing her eyes, she felt his heart beating and his breaths as she added, "I thought that maybe you would like to settle down and till the land. I hope I wasn't wrong."

"You aren't. But, did you buy tools?"

Frowning, she pulled away. "Tools? You need tools?"

Jaw dropping, he stared at her for several long moments. "Yes, yes you do."

Brows furrowing further, she asked, "what sort of tools? Are they expensive? Do we have enough gold?"

"We do," he answered. "And we can pick them up easily. For one, we'll need a hoe and shovel. We'll need to break up the land and we'll need to churn and soften it. Not to mention we'll need some way to keep the land safe from Forsaken. We can build a greenhouse…Hmm…"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"What's a greenhouse?" she asked.

Opening his mouth to answer, he simply started laughing. "Maybe we should just go back to the farms and ask for help. I want to say I know enough about this, but I don't."

"You know more than me," she mumbled.

"Thanks, Love," he whispered.

"Of course. But what are you thanking me for? Did I do something?"

"You did." Smiling, he brushed her hair behind her ear. "We have enough gold to last us for our entire time in the city. We should spend the day together. Maybe eat out?"

"You don't eat," she stated.

"But you do," he said. "Are you saying you don't want a candle lit dinner?"

"I do…" she said softly. "But we'll only find those on the human side…"

"Are you saying I can't scare them into giving us a table?" he asked.

Is he joking? I really want him to not be joking.

"Hello?" he asked while poking her cheek.

"Sorry." Biting at his finger, she hummed. "Let's do it! Let's spend the day together. Just you and me. No work. No drinking. Only love and affection."

"Maybe I won't burn after all," he whispered.

"What was that, Honey?" she asked.

Shaking his head, he started to stand and pulled her with. "Nothing, My Love."

Humming in happiness, she pressed into his side, her tail wagging. Don't ever leave me, James. I don't want to imagine a life without feeling your soul.

She didn't need to voice her thoughts as his soul brushed against hers. He was content and happy, a stark contrast to when she found him.

James was overflowing with joy as he walked hand in hand with Luna, through the streets of the city. Noon found them in the market on the human side of the city, looking through clothes and him trying on different outfits.

"You need clothes," she argued. "You can't wear leather and feathers ever day."

"I can too," he countered. "My friends gave me these feathers."

Sighing, she grabbed several pairs of pants, boots, and shirts. Taking them to the counter, she earned glares from the workers. James only had to pulse his soul for them to change their minds.

Handing over several gold, Luna glowered at the workers as she carried everything back to him. "Put these in your storage."

"How much did you pay them?" he asked.

"More than they deserved, but the gold is only good here, so we need to spend it. Plus showing off gold makes them treat me better."

"I can beat some sense into them," he threatened.

Taking his arm, she pulled him out of the store. "No, Honey, you can't beat everyone up that treats me bad. Just knowing that you are going to lay with me tonight and treat me to dinner and a bath is enough."

"Try the new shampoo?" he questioned.

Beaming, she nodded. "Yes! I can't believe you went to a grandmaster to get me shampoo."

"Jamie took me actually. We wanted you and Amber to have the best. I only had to trade those flowers for the supply."

"I love you, James. You're always thinking about my wellbeing," she said softly. "I've never had anyone pay attention to what I needed to stay healthy. It feels odd."

"Is that bad?" he asked with a chuckle.

"No!" Waving her hand as they walked through the crowd, she quickly added, "it's not. It's every woman's dream to have someone like you. I ask myself everyday how I got lucky enough to catch your eye."

"You sort of just told me I was your husband, and it stuck," he said. "Then you claimed my virginity and killed Nebra."

"I did not," she growled, startling those around them.

"You did too. Or did we not have sex?"

Frowning, she let him go to cross her arms. "I didn't kill Nebra."

"Technically no. But you did lead a pack of Forsaken to her." He smiled when she winced. "Didn't think I would feel your soul energy all over that mess?"

Frowning, she pointed out a restaurant. "Let's go there!"

Dropping the subject, they pushed their way through the crowd which wasn't hard considering he couldn't contain his soul fully.

Stepping inside the restaurant, they realized they were very underdressed. He was in his shirt of leather and feathers with matching pants and boots. Luna was still wearing her chest wrap and shorts he had made for her while the patrons were in dress robes or other ensembles of finery.

"I don't believe you are in the right place," the server said as he reached them.

"No, we are," James said adamantly. "This is a restaurant, isn't it?"

"It is. For those of the wealthy."

Luna was about to pull him out when he pulsed his soul, making most of the patrons drop their forks. With a frown, James stepped up to the server. "Let me repeat myself. We are here for a meal. Find us a seat or I empty your restaurant."

Eyes wide, he watched the server step back several times, panicking. A moment later, another well dressed man hurried up to them.

"Master Cultivator, welcome!"

James eyed the bald man and noted his soul was filled with life and cultivation. Was he part of the sect?

"Thank you," James said civilly. "Maybe we can have a table for two?"

"Right this way!" The man said with a large smile.

James pulled Luna with him, her eyes wide as they were led to a VIP section in the very back. With a closed door, the large room had its own fountain and several décor pieces that the main restaurant didn't.

"The meal today is pasta, made fresh, in house, with a cream sauce and fowl. I'll bring a nice paired wine for the two of you." Lighting the candles, the man bowed before hurrying away.

Left alone, James found Luna beaming before she started laughing. "Did I do something wrong?"

Shaking her head, she tried to calm herself. "I think I smelled someone wet themselves!"

Sighing, he tutted. "I shouldn't have had to do that."

"You're married to a demi-human, James. What did you expect?"

"I expect people to bend over backwards for your beauty," he said.

Blushing, Luna looked away. "Don't say things like that…"

"I only speak the truth." Taking her hand from across the table, he felt his expression soften. "You are going to have to get used to me treating you like this. I won't tolerate anyone being cruel to you. You are mine."

Blush deepening, she her eyes were hazy as she licked her lips. "Do you think we can sneak to the bathroom for half an hour?"

Laughing, he shook his head. "If you can last until tonight, I'll pamper and wash you till your heart's content. But only if you wait."

Tail wagging, she nodded. "I'll behave!"

"Good." Letting her go, he sat back. "Tomorrow, I'll enchant as much as I can, but we also need to check on the giant. We don't have much time left before the fight. Is there anything you need?"

"Love and affection," she teased.

"Besides that." Rolling his eyes, he said, "I'm serious, Luna. This is going to be a tough fight. We'll have some elders with us, but we need to be prepared for those that don't like us. They might take advantage of the fight to get rid of us."

Frowning, she grew serious. "I'll be ready. We can't trust this sect, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let them kill you."

Nodding, he paused before talking. "Even with them helping, it is still you and me versus the world. We won't have Jamie, Mender, or Amber to help us. At least not this time."

"I understand. We'll talk more tonight. For now, let's enjoy the meal you are paying for with Jamie's money."

Snorting, he realized he hadn't given Jamie her share yet. He really needed to fix that.

High atop the neighboring buildings, a certain orange haired cat dangled her legs over the edge.

"Will you be the demon of the story James Matson?"

With a hum, she stood and panned her gaze over the streets. Hundreds of humans were oblivious to her presence shadowing above them. Neither did they know a true monster was eating inside the nearby restaurant.

A slip of a smile formed on Amber's lips as she turned and walked away. She would get her care products when he returned. For now, she would talk to the farmers and ensure they had the tools he needed for his next visit. Lastly, she would ensure that Jamie and Mender were handled for the night.

"The things I do for you, James." Chuckling, she hopped down into the alleyway and pulled a hood over her head. With her tail hidden, she slipped into the crowd and plotted her course. She of course stole the silver she would need for the tools. She was also going to steal the cake for their dessert. Her little surprise after his rough day. Even if he was the sixth egg, she was going to follow him. He was worthy of her attention, even if the grandmaster had been blunt about his appraisal.

I won't let you sneak out again, James. We cats are nocturnal by nature.

‎

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.