The Witch Princess by JoEllen Conger

Author:JoEllen Conger [Conger, JoEllen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781613093597
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
Published: 2018-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

The Laugnach Faoladh

Gallagher struggled to wake. Too hot, he opened his eyes. It was too dark to tell where he was. His legs were so cramped he couldn't move, but he managed to unfold his long legs to stretch. Sweat beaded his upper lip. Feeling around he knew he wasn't in bed with his wife. He was sleeping on the ground! In an instant, Gallagher remembered where he was and why he was there.

The weight on his chest shifted. A sleeping werewolf was snuggled up across his chest.

“Go back to sleep, Ranger...not morning yet,” the werewolf whispered.

“Which one are ye?” Gallagher asked.

“Tatter, sire.”

“I thought ye couldn’t man-speak in wolf form,” Gallagher whispered.

“Don’t tell Headdog,” Tatter whispered back.

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t know I learned how to do something he can’t.”

“I’ll not tell.” Gallagher moved restlessly under Tatter’s weight, trying to find a more comfortable position.

“Sorry, brother-kin, but I’m the lightest.” The werewolf stirred and, shape-shifting, Tatter sat up naked in his twisted man-shape and fumbled about looking for his travel pack. “It was very cold last night when we stopped running, and well, we had no bedding for ye,” Tatter explained. He raised his hand. “I drew last shift,” he said, grinning, “When it be the coldest. I tried to keep ye warm.”

“Thank ye. I’m grateful. How many shared their body-heat with me?” Gallagher asked.

“We took turns. I be the third one.” Tatter stood, and fumbling in his knapsack, he brought out a ragged pair of coveralls and began slipping his bare feet into the pant legs.

“Thank ye, Tatter. That was great of everyone to help out. Ye were quite warm.” Looking about, Gallagher realized the entire wolf pack had slept as near to him as they could manage...or at least each one had deliberately touched him or breathed on him to keep him warm. Humility flooded his heart, knowing they would keep a human warm. Being accepted by this wolf pack made him a part of their family. Grateful, he stood and stretched.

Hearing the beginning sounds of whispered conversations throughout their huddle, the rest of the pack stirred and, standing, shook the dirt from their fur. Realizing Gallagher was awake, one by one the werewolves stepped away from him, giving Gallagher his personal space. Gallagher grinned, realizing his warm bedding had been all the bodies of the sleeping Laugnach Faoladh.

As soon as Gallagher sat up, Headdog, the pack’s leader, watching him with bright eyes, stirred, and altering his shape, walked over to man-speak with him. After their man-greeting of touching hands, the leader pulled his pack within reach and heaved his man-clothes out of the pack.

The scouts, Hog and Bluedog, separated themselves from the main pack to listen in to the leader’s orders for the day. The others quickly took their light day-wear out from their traveling packs and hurried to dress.

Arturo and Alhandro galloped flat out into their encampment, skidding into camp just before the sun peeked over the ridge. They barked, making a great hullabaloo in greeting. Everyone hurried to pull out their man-clothes.

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