Yes, somehow, I saw all of that while following Cherry’s lead. We stomped the ground, swayed our arms, spun in one direction and then another. Simple, easy choreography, and yet it felt sogoodto move my body that way. To moveourbodies that way. Wolf. Kitsune. Bear. Young ones with no animal form yet. All of us shared the momentum together.
Because when it came down to it, we were all connected by the breeze gently navigating through the trees, caressing our skin and fur as we moved. By the earth beneath our feet as we stomped or stepped over it, the grass releasing the scent of damp earth and early spring. By the blanket of stars in the onyx sky above us. By our breathing. By the blood pumping in our veins.
We were our own, we were many, but we were alsoone.
I looked over to Ben. He was smiling and laughing like I was, teeth flashing as we all moved. Did he feel it too? I hoped he did, because the mix of emotions and sensations within me was truly wonderful.
Time had no meaning, even when I could feel my breath shortening and my chest beginning to grow tight. Although myendurance was quite terrible, I didn’t care. I wasn’t pushing myself beyond my limits, because for a short while, it felt like I didn’t have any.
But all good things had to come to an end, even enchanted moments. Cherry gave a bow, and we all retreated back to the edge of the circle.
There were a few more dances, and while I didn’t join in, I sat on the grass and watched with rapt attention. Honestly, it could have gone on the whole night, and I would have been all right with it, teacher’s sleeping schedule be damned. However, I wasn’t the only one getting sleepy. Once the circle broke, I spotted plenty of yawns all around.
It was so unifying. No matter what kind of creature they could turn into, everyone got the sleepies at some point or another.
“Thank you,” I said as we all began to disperse, my heart feeling so full in my chest.
“For what?”
“For inviting me.”
“So, you liked it?”
“Ben, Ilovedit.”
He took my hand again, but this time, he raised it to his lips and pressed a kiss there as if he were a prince. Fire licked up my arm pleasantly, making my heart skip a few beats again.
“I’m glad. For what it’s worth, I’m really happy that we came too. Do you think you’re ready to pack it in for the night? It is pretty late for you.”
It definitely was. Although I would have loved the jamboree to last forever, I knew it couldn’t.
“Yeah, I think I’m ready.”
We didn’t get far before a small group intercepted us. I didn’t recognize them, but Ben stopped and waved when one of them called his name.
“Alpha Benjamin!” the eldest of the group declared, his voice big and booming like that Greek grandfather in the comedy movie about getting married. “It has been so long since I have seen you! We have missed your presence here.”
“I’ve been… occupied,” Ben murmured. Yeah, that did seem to be the most diplomatic way to put it.
“What was that?”
“I’ve been occupied.”
“Alpha Benjamin, I’m over a hundred and thirty years old! You’ll have to speak up for this mangy wolf here!”
“I’ve been occupied!” While he didn’t shout it, it was definitely much louder than Ben’s usual cadence and over-enunciated. If the younger shifters around the old man thought anything of it, their faces didn’t betray it, which told me this was a pretty common thing.
“We understand, we understand! The road you’ve walked isn’t easy.” His gaze drifted over to me, and I got the impression that he was at least similar in age to Mrs. Hayashi. Was he another one of the elders that Ben had spoken about? “And who is your companion?”
“This is Giselle.”
“Pardon?”
“Giselle!”
“Ah, wonderful! Giselle, such a beautiful name.” He shook my hand, thick calluses rubbing against my palm. I was surprised that shifters could even get calluses. I would have thought their healing thing would take care of that. “Are you young Ben’s friend?”
I opened my mouth to agree, but Ben spoke first.
