Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Shane froze as the monstrous Descendant stepped out from around a house. The giant bear was bigger than Rai’s fox form, towering over his small human body.

“Railen,” the bear grumbled. His voice shook the air with power.

“Reginald,” Rai greeted in return.

“Why are you in your human form?”

Rai stepped closer to Shane.

“I see,” Reginald said. “What happened that you willingly gave up your essence?”

Rai stepped in front of him. Shane stayed frozen as Rai protected him.

“I needed to give up my essence. I was dying, and this was the only way,” Rai explained.

Reginald nodded. “Interesting. And this scrawny one is your human?”

“Yes,” Rai said proudly.

Raising his brow, Shane stepped forward. He wanted to get back, and this conversation was taking too long.

“Reginald, my old friend!” Shane called out. “How have you been?”

“We don’t know each other,” Reginald growled.

“Nonsense!” Shane clapped his hands. “We went to that party together on New Year’s Eve two years ago. You got so drunk I had to carry you home.”

“What are you doing?” Rai hissed.

“Party?” Reginald asked.

“Yeah, you were a riot,” Shane said with a laugh. “One too many beers. I didn’t think a man of your size was such a lightweight.”

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“What’s going on?” Reginald asked.

Shane smiled. “You were just telling us about your lady friend that you met at the party. She was a real looker as well.”

“What party?”

Shane could hear Rai smack her forehead.

“The party at Gilbertson’s house!” Shane claimed. “You were the prime attraction. I was honestly jealous at how many ladies wanted to hug you. You’re a giant teddy bear after all.”

“I’m not a teddy bear,” Reginald groused.

“Of course, you are,” Shane said. “I wouldn’t want to cast doubt on all those ladies you slept with.”

“I didn’t sleep with any humans!” Reginald took a step forward.

“Are you sure?” Shane asked while rubbing his chin. “Then again, we were going shot for shot, and everything became a blur pretty quickly.”

“Shane!” Rai hissed.

“Yes, my love?” Shane asked. “You missed a great party that night. Though, I would never cheat on you. Reginald kept me in line.”

Groaning, Rai took the bag off his back and started walking away. “Idiot,” she muttered.

Shane ignored her. “So tell me, Reginald. When are we hitting up the town again?”

“We’re in a town!” Reginald grumbled.

“Pshh! This empty place won’t host a party. You should come over some time. I’m making a hearty stew for dinner. Do you like stew? If I remember correctly, you like stew.”

“I don’t eat stew,” Reginald rumbled. With his next step, the rough asphalt rose in the air.

Shane gasped. “That’s amazing!” Tilting his head at the display, he put on his best smile. “I remember you showing that trick off at the last dinner we had together. You were dressed in the suede tuxedo. It really highlighted your brown hair.”

The stones fell to the ground, and Reginald groaned. “How the hell did Railen end up with a man like you?”

“I’m charming, witty, and amazingly handsome!”

“You said stew?” Reginald asked.

“Yup! I’ll have to gather a few herbs on the way home, but I’ll make enough for a man of your stature.”

Reginald walked away. “I know where you live. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Sounds good, buddy!”

Smiling to himself, Shane jogged after Rai, who was already past the tree line.

Once he caught up to her, he couldn’t bring himself to stop smiling. “That went well.”

Rai glared at him. “You’re an idiot!”

“You married this idiot,” he said with a smirk.

“When we get back, I’ll go hunting. You better drop everything off and pick up water from the river. We’ll be busy all day hunting down herbs.”

“Reginald is a good guy. I don’t know why you didn’t want to get caught by him.”

Rai growled. “Like me, he hates humans. He has his reasons, and they are not for me to share.”

“Sounds good!” Shane chirped.

Shane watched Rai roll her eyes before picking up her pace. They had a long day ahead of them.