Chapter 8

The dirt path stretched between two mountains, the walls of rock rising high on either side. The air continued to change as we pressed on. Becoming softer and warmer. The bite of frost was gone from my breath, replaced by the damp smell of earth and moss. Melting water trickled in thin streams down the cliffs, seeping into the road, and the sound of birdsong echoed faintly, a music I hadn’t heard since being transported into the snow realm.

I walked slowly, boots crunching against gravel, at my side, Syli crawled on all fours, her palms and toes digging into the soil, her tail arched high behind her. She looked every bit the wolf she was born to be, moving low and graceful, her crimson eye darting across the land as the snow dissipated, looking at the green that pushed stubbornly through the rocky dirt. She kept close to me, brushing her shoulder against my thigh, her hair tumbling wild, her breath quick with excitement.

The pass widened, the stone walls falling away, and the world ahead opened like a curtain being drawn back. Rolling hills stretched as far as I could see, their slopes painted with green grass and scattered with bright wildflowers. Patches of forest clustered in the distance, the trees bursting with new leaves, their branches alive with fluttering wings and restless chatter. A breeze swept across the open land, carrying the scent of wet bark and blooming clover. Compared to the endless white of the snow realm, it felt good to be back in a colorful world.

Syli crouched at the edge of the path, her claws curling into the soil. She bent low, sniffing at the grass, her ears flicking like a pup’s.

“It smells alive,” she whispered, her voice low with awe. “There are flowers and leaves and grass and little critters and trees and ... and ... everything.” Her tail wagged once, shyly, like she was embarrassed at her own wonder.

We followed the dirt path as it wound downhill, the sun spilling over the fields ahead. The snow and ice were already a memory behind us, hidden by the towering mountain peaks. Birds flew from tree to tree, rabbits darted through the brush, and every step seemed to pull us deeper into warmth, color, and sound.

Not far along the dirt path, we were walking into the edge of a small forest, and we saw a signpost nailed into a tree.

“Windend” With an arrow pointed straight ahead, deeper into the valley.

Syli padded up to it first, resting her hands on the tree and brushing her fingers over the letters. Her tail gave a hopeful little flick, and she turned, crimson eye shining.

“A town!,” she said, and grinned, her fangs gleaming in the sun. “With people. With beds maybe? And food that isn’t the winterberries we packed and ate up or whatever we scavenged in caves?”

I laughed, stepping up beside her, my hand brushing hers against the wood.

“Sounds like a nice change of pace. Caves have their charm, but I could do with a roof that doesn’t drip on my head while I’m sleeping.”

We kept walking, the road turning from firm-packed dirt to gravel, winding through stretches of open meadow and small forests that hugged the hillsides. The sun climbed higher as the hours passed, and the warmth seeped deep into my bones, loosening muscles that had been clenched against cold for days. My elk-fur coat hung open, the air too humid for its warmth. Syli bounded in and out of the trees with a restless energy, her laughter echoing like birdsong whenever she spotted something new, a rabbit darting into its burrow, a hawk circling high above, the bright shock of wildflowers spreading like spilled paint across the fields.

Her small body gleamed with sweat under the sun, her pale skin flushed with heat and exertion, her hair damp and sticking in strands to her shoulders and back. Every so often, she brushed against me, her tail flicking, her crimson eye catching mine with a knowing, teasing glint. Her breasts swayed with each shift of her weight, small but firm, the tips stiff in the warm breeze. Her hips rolled subtly as she moved, the soft curve of her ass rising and falling like she wanted me to watch, and I did, unable not to.

She knew it too. When my gaze lingered too long, she’d flash me a wicked little grin, fangs glinting, and toss her hair back to make her chest bounce just enough to taunt me. Her tail wagged whenever I swore under my breath, smug at how easily she could keep me hard with nothing but a look and the sway of her body.

We stopped in a meadow of flowers so I could thoroughly fuck her. Her claws dug deep in the soil, her hair a mess, her face buried in the grass as I took her from behind, pounding her tight, slick pussy until she screamed her submission, her back arching, her legs trembling, her entire body shaking as she came.

Her ass was still lifted as I pulled out, my cock sliding free, dripping with her cum, her tail quivering against her spine. I told her it was lunch time and she turned over, panting, her crimson eye shining as she licked her own taste from my cock, moaning, her tail dancing behind her, her little tits bouncing as she bobbed her head, hungry and eager.

With a belly full of cum, we continued along the road, the valley spreading wider with every step. The hours passed in a haze of warmth and color, the air filled with the constant hum of life. The trees pressed close again in places, their trunks tall and dark, the canopy broken so shafts of light poured down in golden beams. Syli prowled at my side, still flushed from being fucked in the meadow, her cheeks pink, her lips glossy from licking me clean. She carried herself with a lazy, satisfied sway, her tail flicking high with every step like she wanted the whole forest to know she’d been used.

By the time the sun tilted toward afternoon, the scent of woodsmoke drifted in the air, carried by a soft breeze. Syli sniffed the wind, her ears twitching, her crimson eye narrowing with interest.

And then we saw it.

The trees ended abruptly, giving way to a broad clearing. At its center rose tall wooden walls, a palisade of sharpened logs bound together, weather-worn but sturdy. A wide gate sat at the center, its heavy doors sitting open, the path leading straight inside. Looking deeper, we could see rooftops peaked up, wooden shingles catching the sun, smoke curling from chimneys, the faint whisper of life echoing across the clearing.

“Windend!” Syli whispered, and her tail gave an excited wag. “A whole village! With people and food and real beds!”

“Come on, Little Wolf.” I chuckled, patting her head, and her ears flicked at the nickname. “Let’s find somewhere to sleep tonight.”

The dirt road led straight toward the open gate, but as we drew closer, it was clear the entry wasn’t unguarded. A small wooden structure hugged the inside of the wall. A gatehouse. A checkpoint, with a narrow window and a door that creaked open as we approached.

From it stepped a figure I hadn’t expected.

It was a goblin girl, small and lithe, with smooth green skin that caught the glow of the afternoon sun like polished jade. Her body was lean, but curved just enough to make my pulse stir. A slim waist with small but high breasts pressing against the thin brown dress that clung to her frame, the fabric worn enough to outline the subtle shape of her dark nipples beneath. The dress ended scandalously high, brushing the tops of her thighs, leaving her long legs bare down to her delicate feet, toes curling against the dirt.

Her hair was dark and glossy, framing a face that was both sharp and sweet, with wide amber eyes that sparkled with curiosity, a small nose, and lips that pulled into a mischievous smile as she looked us over. Her ears, long and pointed, out each side of her head and twitched at every sound.

She stopped in front of us, hands on her hips, the motion pulling her dress tight across her body. Her amber eyes flicked between me and Syli, lingering on her nakedness, the flush in her cheeks, the sheen of sweat still gleaming on her pale skin. Her gaze traveled lower, taking in the shape of her breasts, her small, firm nipples, the curves of her hips and thighs, her legs spread just enough to offer a glimpse of her smooth, glistening slit.

“I don’t remember you heading out to the mountain from here,” the goblin said, her voice light and musical, her smile turning curious. “But it looks like you’ve had an interesting trip. I can see your wolf has been freshly fucked.”

Syli blushed, her crimson eye narrowing, her lips pulling back in a nervous snarl. Her tail lashed behind her, but I rested a hand gently on her head and felt her relax under my touch.

“I came from elsewhere, this is my first time here,” I explained, keeping my tone casual. “My companion and I are on our way to Sensluttia. We were hoping to stay the night.”

“Sensluttia?” The goblin girl laughed, her amber eyes flashing. “You’re a ways out from there, human. It’ll take months of traveling on foot. Are you sure you want to go there?”

I shrugged, smiling back.

“I have my reasons.” I smirked, changing the subject. “What’s your name, Goblin Girl?”

“Miel,” she said, tilting her head, the point of her ear twitching. “I’m one of the gatekeepers. Welcome to Windend, traveler. You can spend the night, as long as you behave ... Listen, I know you were just having some fun with your little wolf pet, fucking her like the bitch she is, but if you still have to follow the rules, you know as well as anyone she needs to be collared and leashed at all times inside a towns walls.”

I glanced down at Syli. Her crimson eye burned, the corners wet, her lips pressed tight in frustration. She hated the word pet. Hated being looked at as less than she was. But I knew the truth—if we wanted a soft bed tonight, if we wanted hot food and something better than firelit caves, we’d have to follow their rules.

“I ... lost her collar and leash,” I lied smoothly, stroking Syli’s hair as though to soothe her pride. “Out in the mountains.”

Miel snorted, crossing her arms under her small breasts, the motion pressing them tighter against the thin brown dress.

“Figures. Typical careless master.” She gave me a once-over, then a slow shake of her head. “Good thing I’ve got spares.”

With a dismissive scoff, she turned on her heel, the short hem of her dress lifting enough to flash the soft curve of her ass as she sauntered back into the gatehouse. A moment later, she emerged, holding a plain leather collar and a length of chain with a small iron handle. She dangled them toward me, smirking.

“Here. Don’t say Windend never gave you anything.”

I took the collar, fingers tightening around it as Syli’s breath hitched beside me. Her tail lowered, her ears flat, the weight of humiliation already sinking in.

Miel leaned closer, her amber eyes glowing, her voice low and sweet, but edged with iron.

“And since it’s your first time here, let me tell you about our specific law. Bitches aren’t permitted to speak inside the walls. Not in the streets, not in the taverns, not in the market. The only place she can use that pretty little mouth of hers is in your private quarters, behind a shut door.” Her eyes slid down Syli’s body, lingering between her thighs before returning to my gaze. “If she’s caught breaking that rule, she won’t be fined, and she won’t be warned. She’ll be put down. No questions. Understand?”