The Hollow
"Come on," he said, his tone brisk but not unkind. "I've got somewhere to take you."
Nova hesitated, then pushed herself to her feet, brushing off the cloak. She followed him silently, her curiosity piqued despite her exhaustion. They walked through the dense forest, the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step. When they finally emerged into a clearing, Nova's breath caught in her throat.
A waterfall cascaded down a jagged cliff into a crystal-clear pool below, the sunlight catching the spray and creating faint rainbows. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of moss and damp earth. The hollow felt secluded, almost magical.
Kael gestured toward the water. "You should clean up," he said, setting the satchel down on a nearby rock.
Nova glanced at him, unsure. "Here?"
He arched an eyebrow. "You don't have to if you enjoy feeling like a swamp creature," he said dryly, but there was a hint of teasing in his tone. "There's soap and clothes in the bag. I'll give you space."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving her alone by the water. Nova watched him go, her cheeks flushing slightly. She hadn't realized how self-conscious she felt until now.
She approached the satchel hesitantly and pulled out its contents. Inside was a bar of something that looked like handmade soap, a brush, and a bundle of clothes—not quite her size, but close enough. Nova stared at the bag for a moment before deciding to follow Kael's instructions. She had to admit, she did feel grimy, and the idea of being clean again was too tempting to resist.
She slipped into the water cautiously, shivering at the initial chill but soon relaxing as the cool liquid washed over her. For the first time in days, she felt truly refreshed. The soap had a faint herbal scent, and as she scrubbed the dirt and blood away, she marveled at how much lighter she felt. It was as if the water was washing away more than just grime—it was easing some of the weight she carried.
After drying off, she unfolded the clothes from the satchel. The pants were a little loose, but comfortable and the shirt hung slightly off her shoulders, but it was a vast improvement over the oversized shirt and cloak she had been wearing. She glanced at her reflection in the pool, startled by how different she looked. As she brushed her tangled hair, it fell in damp waves around her face, and her skin was clean and glowing. For a brief moment, she didn't recognize herself.
Kael returned just as she was tying the drawstring on the pants. He carried a small bundle of firewood under one arm and set it down near the edge of the clearing. Nova quickly turned away, embarrassed by the idea of him seeing her like this, but he didn't seem to notice. Instead, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto a nearby rock before slipping his pants off and stepping toward the water.
Nova's breath hitched as she caught a glimpse of his bare backside. His muscles shifted fluidly as he moved, the scars crisscrossing his skin telling stories she couldn't begin to imagine. She quickly averted her eyes, but not before stealing a glance as he dove into the pool. The water splashed up around him, and she bit her lip, feeling her cheeks heat.
Kael emerged moments later, shaking water from his hair like a dog. He glanced over at her and smirked. "Enjoying the view?" he teased, his tone light.
Nova's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she stammered, "I—I wasn't—"
Before she could finish, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the clearing. Kael's playful expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp intensity. He turned toward the sound, his body tensing as a massive bear lumbered out of the trees.
The bear's eyes locked onto them, its movements slow and deliberate. Nova froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She took an instinctive step back, but Kael held up a hand, signaling her to stay put.
"Don't move," he said, his voice low and firm. "It's just curious."
But the bear didn't seem curious. It let out another growl, its massive frame swaying as it took a step closer. Kael waded closer, posistioning himself between Nova and the bear, his stance protective. Without warning, he crouched in the shallow water, his body trembling as his muscles began to shift and elongate, and lept.
Nova watched in stunned silence at Kael's transformation. His skin rippled, dark fur sprouting along his arms and back as his frame grew larger, more imposing. Within seconds, the man was gone, replaced by a massive wolf with piercing amber eyes that gleamed with a feral intensity.
The bear roared and charged, but Kael met it head-on. The two creatures collided with a thundering crash, their snarls and growls echoing through the hollow. Nova stumbled back, her eyes wide as she watched the battle unfold. Kael moved with a ferocity and precision that was almost mesmerizing, his wolf form a blur of motion as he dodged the bear's swipes and countered with powerful strikes of his own.
Finally, with a final, furious snarl, Kael drove the bear back into the trees. The massive predator hesitated, then turned and lumbered away, its growls fading into the distance. Kael stood motionless for a moment, his chest heaving as he watched the bear retreat.
Nova couldn't tear her eyes away. Her heart raced as she tried to process what she had just witnessed. Kael turned back toward her, his wolf form towering and imposing, but his eyes softened as they met hers. Slowly, he walked up to her, and nudged her, as if to ask if she was ok.
Nova started at him, still too stunned to speak. Kael exhaled and shook his head, glancing toward the trees where the bear had disappeared.
This girl, he thought, attracts trouble like a moth to a flame. And yet, he found himself willing to protect her from whatever dangers she brought his way.