That comment surprised me. After all of our history, Hugo was still willing to look out for me?
I sat down, wrapping my tail around my paws. My ears flicked back. "After what I did to Len?"
"I'll be honest," Hugo said. "I still don't know what possessed you to do that. But I know you better than that now. No matter what happened in your past, you're a good person now. I've seen you try your best and I've seen you do good things."
I fidgeted my paws. If only I could tell Hugo the truth. It was embarrassing, sure, but at least it provided an answer for my crappy behaviour back then. But I couldn't muster the courage.
Maybe it was time to get braver. I thought of Orpheus. Now that guy had courage, probably even a bit too much of it. If he was in my position, would he have struggled this much? I didn't think so.
It wasn't the time with Hugo. I knew that. But I felt myself coming around to the idea of telling someone.
And that someone was waiting for me back at the alcove.
* * *
After my huntingsession with Hugo, I stuffed the prey into my jaws and made my way back to Orpheus. He was already awake from his nap and he burst into laughter the second I walked in.
"With your giant cheeks, you look more like a hamster than a fox right now," he said.
I spat out the smorgasbord of prey and shifted to human form. "It was easier to carry it, okay? There's a surprising amount of room in my mouth." Orpheus arched an eyebrow and I realized what I'd said. "Not like that."
He chuckled, then took stock of the gifts I’d brought him. "Is this all for me? You shouldn't have."
"A thank you will suffice."
Orpheus did a mock bow from his waist. "Thank you so much, my foxy angel."
I blushed and rolled my eyes. Out of all the nicknames, that was the stupidest one, but I also found it funny, so I never told him to stop using it.
Orpheus rolled his shoulders. "Now, let's see if I can…"
The shift happened like magic. In one second, there was a tall, dark and handsome man sitting on the alcove floor. In the next, he had been replaced by a huge black bird with a formidable beak and eyes as dark as night. He was a beautiful creature in both his forms.
I shifted as well so we were both in our animal forms. It was the only time that I was taller than him.
I noticed he was standing. It must've been easier in raven form, since his bones were much lighter and he weighed less, but his wings weren't tucked primly into his sides like they should've been. They sagged a little, as if it was uncomfortable to put them in the right position.
"How are your wings?" I asked.
Orpheus glanced over himself. His head had an almost comical range of motion in this form. "Honestly, not as bad as they look. It's hard to hold them right, but I'm in much less pain than I was at first, thanks to you."
"Good." I smiled. Maybe it was the fox instincts kicking up, but I had the urge to lick his head, like I would've done to another canine. I doubted Orpheus would appreciate that so I restrained myself.
Orpheus used his beak to skilfully pick up the closest vole and gulp it down. It was always interesting watching birds eat. They didn't even have to chew anything. It seemed convenient, but the ancient predator part of me also enjoyed the act of tearing meat with my teeth.
"You caught all these by yourself?" Orpheus asked, nodding his beak towards the pile.
"I had some help. You know Hugo, the wolf shifter with the grey fur?" When he nodded, I said, "he caught me just as I was leaving and decided to tag along."
"Then I have him to thank as well."
My thoughts during the hunt came back to me. How could I bring them up without it being awkward? It wasn't that I didn't want to. It was just a lot more difficult than I expected. Orpheus and I usually had fun conversations. I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable by bringing up this topic.
Orpheus nudged a mouse towards me with his beak. "Go on. I don't want to be stuffing my face by myself."
I scooted the mouse around with my paw. I wasn't quite hungry. There were too many things on my mind.
Orpheus grabbed another mouse and was mid-swallow when he paused. Its tail dangled out of his beak, which made me grin.
