The Nymph of Black Forest

He had a multitude of minor wounds that were already beginning to heal.. but two major wounds were not closing. Three long, deep gashes all the way down his left side were still bleeding profusely..and I could smell aconite and glistening in the wound indicated silver poisoning. I washed the wound…knowing I can’t stitch it for twenty-four hours, I packed it with belladonna and alum to pull the sides closer together. Then, I started on his head wound. Again aconite with belladonna! Those rogues were prepared. They wanted this man dead!

I whispered “Who are you? Who is so pissed off at you that they would send fifty rogues after one man!?” Micah comes timidly into the room..frightened by the big wolf. I pick him up and tuck him in my hair. I tell him not to be scared. He is a good wolf. He killed most of the bad wolves..but they hurt him. Badly. He kept the forest safe..now it’s time for the forest to heal him. So don’t be frightened!

I watched him all night.. he started a low grade fever..whimpering in his sleep. At dawn, I checked his wounds and the belladonna had done the trick. The gauze had blackened from the silver and the wolfsbane had been absorbed by the alum. I stitched his wounds..knowing I will have to resew them when he shifts. But hopefully, they will have begun to heal a bit. His lost blood should start regenerating but he’s going to be weak for a couple days.

I start some breakfast.. making fresh coffee. I need some caffeine to get through this day! I step out to sit on a stump..wanting to enjoy the sunrise. Micah is chattering…asking a million and one questions about the wolf. I tell him when he wakes up..we will know more. I know he is an alpha. I know he is most likely the one the rogues were talking about they were waiting for. I know people will come looking.. and I have alerted all my furry friends to the Northeast to keep an eye out for outsiders.

I go back inside to pull my egg casserole from my oven and pop biscuits in, while I make sausage gravy. I pour another cup of coffee then go and check the wolf’s temperature. I notice his eyes are open…watching me. I speak softly “You’re safe. Your wounds were critical but have stabilized. I am asking you to not shift..at least until tomorrow.. the wounds are sewn closed and I am worried they will split again. The rogues used alconitum or wolfsbane..to you..and silver. They were prepared to kill you! They almost succeeded.” I ran my hands through his fur and quietly said “Do you feel that? The sparks? That means we are mates.”

I walked away to the kitchen and pulled the biscuits from the oven. I fixed him a plate of food and brought it back to him. I sat the plate in front of him.. he lifted his head and began to eat. And I began to tell him about me…who and what I am. He finished his food and I ended my conversation with “I understand if you want to reject me. Fuck! I wouldn’t even blame you! A crazy half nymph who lives in the forest with a mouse as her best friend! Yep! I’d be running for the hills!”

Derek’s POV ~

I lay here.. listening to this beautiful woman telling me what happened to me. Describing my wounds. Telling me she’s my mate.. I had already figured that out, as soon as I opened my eyes. Her scent surrounded me. Lilies and vanilla. Her name is Rhiannon. A beautiful name…fitting her. Her voice is calm…soothing. She speaks gently and at the end of it all…she expects me to reject her? That’s insane! I would never reject my mate! Ambrose is already half in love with her..but all he wants to do right now, is sleep. The wolfsbane is causing that…but I fight against it! I don’t want to close my eyes and miss anything she says.

I am trying to recall what happened..where I was coming from..heading to. My eyes spring wide… I don’t know my name! I can’t remember! Who am i? Is someone looking for me? Am I still in danger? Rhiannon said I have a head injury..is that’s what’s causing this? I feel myself losing consciousness again and I fight it.. until I hear her say “Go back..let yourself sleep. It’s your body’s way of recouping the loss of blood. I’m going to the river to catch us some fish. Rest..we will talk more tonight.” And I drift away…

I leave as soon as I see his breathing even out. He needs the sleep..I felt his mind panic a couple times.. and I am worried his head injury has caused his memory to be foggy. It should come back gradually. As long as he heeds what I say..and rests. His distinct scent of fresh pine and mint has driven me crazy all night. Edina whines in my head at leaving him. But I am actually expecting him to reject us. Whoever heard of an Alpha being mated to a hybrid? Although..my father was mated to a forest nymph…so the Moon Goddess must have a plan. I tell Edina to not get her hopes up…that our own father didn’t want us. But even I can’t help hoping!

We spent several hours at the stream. I had planned a quick fishing trip to the river..maybe catching a few trout, or bass…but I had a hankering for a more meaty fish. So instead, I went to the stream for some salmon. I’m almost back home now..and decided to check on Momma Squirrel. Her leg is healing nicely.. I redress it and argue with Squeaky to give her one more day!

Entering my cottage, I pull up short at the naked man, asleep and shivering on the floor, in front of the fireplace! I grab a blanket to cover him with..taking a moment to admire him. He’s tall..probably close to 7’ midnight black shoulder length hair. The longest eyelashes I have ever seen.. his cheeks show the permanent lines of dimples and a cleft chin! Muscles that go on for days! Absolutely gorgeous man! I noticed his wounds had indeed reopened..but he had obviously shifted in his sleep.. so I can’t be upset! I cover him.. and get a fire blazing to warm his icy body.

I am cleaning and preparing the salmon for dinner.. when I hear a deep, gravelly voice say “I’m sorry” and I jumped…startled. I walk into the living room, genuinely confused “For what?” He shrugged “shifting… I must have done it in my sleep.” I smiled at him “That’s okay..but I do need to restitch the wounds on your side. They were quite heinous and I want the scars to be minimal.” He nodded and asked “Now?” And it was my turn to nod.

I went to get my suture kit and a healing poultice of red clover and stinging nettle…which sounds incredibly uncomfortable..and it is slightly..but it stimulates the nerves to reknit and heal faster. Coming back into the room, I apologize “I must apologize..I have no clothes to fit you. But I started on a pair of shorts for you, last night. I will finish them, after dinner.” He laughs..a deep masculine chuckle asking “Is there anything you can’t do?” And I immediately snap back “Golf…I can’t golf” His eyebrow shoots up into his hairline and laughs…then he gets serious “I may or may not be able to teach you..if my memory returns..so I might know my talents. If not..we can learn together!” And I laugh “Nah! That’s okay! I have no desire to learn a game where the spectator has to whisper!” And we laugh together!

I roasted the salmon.. and placed a huge steak on a bed of rice I had seasoned with garlic and wild onion. He ate like a man starving..which is a good sign! I offered him tea.. with several drops of Tulsi..holy basil and gingko biloba.. the herbs should help heal his brain injury. That was the reason behind the fresh salmon, as well. He kept fidgeting and was uncomfortable… I couldn’t stop the giggle as he raised an eyebrow at me, I realize that’s his signature expression for ‘What the fuck?’ I tell him the discomfort is caused by the stinging nettle..but necessary to stimulate the nerves into regrowth!

He sits..feeding the fire… while I finish his shorts. I pull the sweater out that I had made with the lambswool.. it ir ginormous..so I am hoping it fits. I ask if he would like to try walking to the lake..it’s warmer than the river, this late in the year. And he nods. I grab the new sandalwood soaps I had made..and vanilla hair conditioner…taking towels from the cabinet, we head out. I tell him I will put a waterproof cover over his bandages to keep them dry. And that I will join him to wash his hair and back.. I don’t want him twisting his side or lifting his left arm above his head. He chuckles “Allow me to apologize beforehand for any response my body will have to close proximity of you. And I mean..my body will most definitely respond!” We both laugh, as I tell him “I am the last remaining Forest Nymph..all things natural, do not alarm me..nor embarrass me.”

Bathing was an ordeal. Apparently, I was wrong! The size of his…umm..endowment, standing at such attention..did indeed embarrass me..which then, in turn…caused me embarrassment by my own nudity. We persevered..and accomplished our set goal. However…he was most amused by my pink cheeks. I was right, though! The sweater fit him nicely!

We headed back to the cottage when a huge elk crashed through the brush.. my mate pushed me behind him, which was as flattering, as it was amusing. I asked the elk what had him so excited.. He said there were several men searching the woodline..to the Northeast. I nodded.. and brought my mate back to the cottage. I didn’t mention what the elk had said…simply fixed a cup of tea for us both…adding a sleeping draught for my mate.

Getting him settled into my bed, for the night.. I grabbed my weapons and headed Northeast. I took to the treetops.. staying out of sight, as I listened to the men.