Aaron sniffed the air, there was a new smell floating upon the damp fall breeze. Under the scent of fallen leaves and wet pine he detected something spicy. His inner wolf rumbled appreciatively. He quickly shucked his trousers, boots, and shirt, then growling softly he shifted. His fur came through first then his snout lengthened and his canines elongated. Then he fell forward as his hands transformed into paws, he whimpered when his knees snapped backwards and his hindlegs changed. That part was still painful to him as he was still a young werewolf. Then he shook himself, his coal black coat luxurious and shining with health. His eerie ice blue eyes hinting at something almost human within. He sniffed the wind in his wolf form. There it was again, spicy with a hint of orange and vanilla. He trotted into the woods, his footfalls silent as he slipped through the trees like a shadow.

Tessa knelt at the base of the ancient oak, her blood red cloak pooled artfully around her. She pushed back the hood, revealing her blonde curls and elfin features as she turned her face upwards towards the meager sunlight filtering in between the gnarled branches. She rested there for a moment savoring the rare warmth in the crisp fall air. Soon winter would be full upon their small village and the woods would be strictly forbidden. Even the bravest soldiers would not venture into the forest during the snows. The wolves grew hungry during the winter, bold and fierce.

Snap,crunch, crunch, crunch...

Tessa gasped and scrambled to her feet. Why didn't I bring my bow? She thought as she turned in a circle, her eyes darting wildly about

The black wolf stood just twenty paces away, his tounge lolling in a pant and his teeth gleaming in a half grin. His fluffy tail wagged slightly as he took in the young woman by the great oak. She was petite he would have mistaken her for a child had he not glimpsed the curves beneath her cloak as she spun wildly, looking for...him.

Time seemed to slow as their eyes met. His aqua blue to her terrified emerald. He held her gaze intrigued, and cocked his head to the side in a decidedly canine fashion. Shaking like a leaf Tessa  couldn't look away. The wolf was easily the size of a yearling calf, his coat coal black. But the eyes were what held her captive. Blue as the summer sky and almost, human. The wolf whined and wagged its tail. Tessa although terrified moved as if under a spell. She knelt upon the forest floor and held out her shaking hand. The wolf licked his lips and advanced, his ears alert. Tentatively he reached out and buried his face in her chest, breathing in her scent.

Then she laughed! A merry sound like bells at yuletide, he began to lick her face. Then she slipped a silver chain around his neck, and he howled...

The witch smiled. "You're mine now." She whispered as she tugged the silver chain tight.