***
“Oh, we’re not.” Will laughed, assuming the comment was meant for him. “It needs to know your scent before you touch it. Go on, pet it.”
“Oh, finally.” Gaia didn’t pet the wolf though. She went in for a full hug. “Damn, I’ve missed you.” She whispered into the wolf’s ear. Then aloud she said, “I’d better let it go before it gives me fleas.” The resulting growl only made her laugh.
The three spent about two hours together. Whilst Gaia relaxed against the tree, Will lay with his head on the wolf which kept licking at his face intermittently. And the entire time, Gaia entertained Will with her theory on the concept of werewolves and how they lived their life. Whilst she happily said what she thought and answered Will’s hypothetical questions, Stan kept groaning in exasperation within his wolf. The soldier was, however, refreshingly oblivious to the factual nature of what Gaia was saying. He thoroughly enjoyed the stories.