[Third Person].
redith spent the quiet hours of the afternoon in her workstation with rolled-up sleeves, completely alone.
She preferred it that way today.
On the wooden counter before her lay two ripe pineapples. She rinsed them thoroughly, the cool water splashing softly against the basin, then reached for her knife.
Carefully, she peeled away the thick skins, setting the golden flesh aside and keeping the peels intact. The scent of fresh pineapple quickly filled the room, sweet and sharp.
She washed the peels once more, then placed them into a clean glass jar. Next ca a cinnamon stick. She rinsed it carefully, snapping it in half so it would release more of its warmth and spice, then dropped it into the jar as well.
She poured warm filtered water over the contents, just enough to subrge everything. After that, she added a small spoon of raw honey, stirring slowly until it dissolved. The liquid clouded slightly, already beginning to take on a pale amber hue.
It was a simple probiotic drink—good for bloating, digestion, and overall gut balance. Nothing fancy. Nothing dangerous.
She sealed the jar loosely, covering it with a clean cloth instead of a lid, and set it aside where it could fernt gently for the next day or two.
"That slls... surprisingly good."
redith didn’t turn around to know who the culprit was.
Dennis leaned against the doorfra, arms crossed, watching her with open curiosity.
"If you’re thinking of helping," she said calmly, wiping her hands on a cloth, "keep your hands to yourself. Your presence is enough."
Dennis laughed softly. "Understood. Hands secured."
He moved closer but didn’t touch anything, instead pulling up a stool and sitting across from her. For a while, he simply kept her company, watching as she cleaned the counter and arranged the jars neatly. Then his expression shifted.
"Do you have any idea why my brother is so angry at our father?" he asked.
redith didn’t even hesitate. "Ask Draven."
Dennis sighed heavily, tilting his head back. "I knew you would say that. But you do know, don’t you?"
"I do," she replied evenly. "And it’s not my place to tell you. You should wait for him. He will explain everything tonight."
Dennis studied her for a mont, then let out another slow breath. "Alright. I will wait."
Silence returned, more comfortable this ti.
A mont later, Dennis brightened. "Do you want to go for a run when the sun goes down?"
redith smiled. "Sure."
Then she added lightly, "I think you are due to see my white fur."
Dennis’s eyes lit up. "I can’t wait. Though... I hope my brother won’t be mad at for running with you."
She chuckled. "Co on. Draven isn’t that petty."
Dennis gave her a long, pointed look. "You think so?"
Her smile faded into a thoughtful hum. She shook her head slowly. "Alright. Maybe he can be petty... sotis."
Dennis laughed. His gaze then drifted back to the jar on the counter. "So," he asked, nodding toward it, "what exactly are you making with pineapple peels?"
redith glanced at the jar fondly. "A probiotic drink. Pineapple peels, cinnamon, honey, and ti. It helps with bloating and digestion. Gentle, but effective."
Dennis raised a brow. "You turn scraps into dicine."
She smiled faintly. "That’s the idea."Top of Form
---
The woods were already sinking into dusk when redith and Dennis reached the familiar running path.
The sky above the treetops glowed faintly orange and blue, the air cool and clean.
Dennis slowed his steps and glanced around once more, sharp eyes scanning the shadows.
"Don’t worry, there won’t be patrols or servants or any curious warriors," he said confidently. "This place is ours."
redith nodded, then took a breath. The shift ca smoothly.
White fur spilt over her skin like moonlight taking form, her body stretching and reshaping with effortless grace.
Valmora surged to move with her. When the transformation settled, a large white wolf stood before Dennis, eyes glowing softly in the dim light.
Dennis froze. For a solid three seconds, he simply stared.
"...By the Moons," he breathed. "Draven really married that."
The white wolf snorted, unmistakably unimpressed.
A heartbeat later, redith bounded forward, brushing past him deliberately, her tail flicking against his leg in open challenge.
Dennis barked out a laugh. "Oh no. Don’t you dare think you are leaving behind."
Brown fur rippled over him as he shifted, his wolf surging forward with familiar mischief.
Monts later, two wolves launched themselves into the woods, tearing through the trees side by side.
redith was fast—unnervingly so. She darted between trunks, leapt fallen logs, and cut sharp turns that forced Dennis to work for every stride. But Dennis was relentless, laughing through the bond, pushing harder, matching her pace with stubborn determination.
They raced downhill, splashed through a shallow stream, and climbed a rocky slope without slowing. At one point, Dennis deliberately veered off course just to see if he could throw her off.
She overtook him in three seconds.
By the ti they finally slowed, both wolves were breathing hard, energy buzzing between them with shared exhilaration.
They shifted back near a clearing, the forest quiet around them.
Dennis dropped onto a fallen log, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. I admit it. I would be embarrassed if I ever challenged you seriously."
redith smiled as she caught her breath. "Smart decision."
Then her expression softened, turning thoughtful. "But now that you’ve found your mate... try not to be too reckless."
Dennis raised a brow. "Reckless is part of my charm."
"Not when you’re dealing with Helena," redith said calmly. "You don’t get to be careless anymore. You’re not running solo now, you’re learning soone."
That sobered him a little. He nodded. "You’re right."
She studied him for a mont, then added lightly, "Which reminds , you haven’t called her today."
Dennis blinked. "I—"
"She must have been waiting," redith cut in gently. "Trust . Even if she looks composed, she noticed."
He exhaled. "I didn’t want to seem overeager."
redith shook her head. "That’s not how mates work. Call her. Ask how her day was. Don’t overthink it."
She paused, then added with a faint smile, "And don’t disappear after a good first night. That’s how misunderstandings grow."
Dennis laughed softly. "Noted. Luna, apparently also relationship advisor."
She smirked. "Soone has to keep you from ssing this up."
Dennis pulled out his phone, glancing at it with a mix of nerves and excitent. "Alright. I will call her in later."
redith nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now let’s head back before Draven returns."Bottom of Form
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