Valentina walked back to the cottage with an arm linked in Ellerie's. They had spent the day simply wandering about the village and through the forest. It was peaceful. The townspeople were friendly enough, and curious as ever to meet the new face, who Val introduced enthusiastically.

Since the last incident with her grandmother, the hybrid was more protective of her. She demanded updates on the crone's temper, and helped in every way she could. It became her responsibility, one she took willingly, to gather the firewood, lightening the brunette's work load substantially. They did the laundry and bought groceries together, all things that couples did, despite them labeling the relationship.

"Thank you for this evening," Val chirped, eyes glimmering.

Ellerie's smile was all teeth. "Of course."

They continued walking, letting the glorious sounds of nature engulf them. Birds were singing, the wind was blowing a calm, steady stream, and the air was still warm despite the retreating sunlight. Contentment and satisfaction lingered between them.

A looming feeling settled in the brunette's stomach as they approached the confining cottage. Their time always felt short lived, and whenever they were forced to part--whether in the mornings when they woke or in the evenings before they fell asleep-- Valentina longed for more of Ellerie's presence. She felt drunken, intoxicated by the woman, and hated the withdrawal that followed her absence.

Idea after idea seeped into her brain of how she could accumulate more time with her beloved. If she wasn't dependent on her position at the bakery, she would quit, but she needed income and the complimentary treats during her break was a plus. She could ask Ellerie to move into the cottage, but that would risk her grandmother finding out, and Val knew the crone's reaction would not be a pleasant one. Another possibility would be to ask the hybrid about the brunette moving in with her, but she feared the older woman's family would not be keen on that. Their final option was to move somewhere together, but Val knew she did not have enough saved to do so. She was close--approximating enough funds by the winter, but that was only if her grandmother *let* her leave, she died beforehand, or the young woman fled in the middle of the night.

The woman let her mid fall silent. She shouldn't be thinking of these things, especially when they soured her mood and Ellerie was around. Her sweet beast was present to keep her safe and remind her of what love looked like.

The duo stopped a few feet from the cottage, unlinking themselves and staring at one another. Ellerie stepped forward, placing a chaste kiss on smooth lips, which Val gratefully accepted.

"I cannot stay tonight."

The young woman nodded her head, accepting that she cannot consume the woman's entire life. "Okay. Will I see you in the morning?"

"I will try, so long as my brother does not aggravate the situation."

"Okay." Val leaned forward once more,, stealing a handful more of kisses. "I will miss you. I know it will be only a night, but I will miss you next to me."

"I understand—I will miss you as well."

They stood until a howl was heard from the distance. Wordlessly, they moved in harmony. Ellerie turned around and stripped of her clothes and Val folded them as she ran into the forest and shifted. When the wolf returned, the brunette held out the pile, allowing the beast to grab them by her teeth. And they went their separate ways, not bothering to watch the other go.

The old crone waited in her rocking chair when Val emerged through the door, hardly acknowledging her presence. Scoffing at the bastard of a woman, the brunette worked to prepare dinner, boiling hen eggs and potatoes over the fire. She snacked on fresh veggies as she waited, letting her mind become distracted by ivory skin and taut muscles.

She had had lustful thoughts before—fantasized about faceless bodies that appealed to her, but this was different. The only thing she fantasized about was Ellerie, and not just her body. Her dreams consisted of what their future could be, the home they would occupy together, and the life they could build. There were so many different possibilities—they were endless and easy to get lost in.

The overflow of water sizzling on the fire pulled Val away. She quickly stirred the pot, settling the boiling water, and let it sit for another few moments. Satisfied, she pulled the pot off the fire, and emptied the eggs and potatoes into a bowl. The shells were peeled off, the potatoes were diced, and the meal was plated and distributed between her and her grandmother.

"It's been some odd years, and you still can't cook for shit," the old bat cursed, shoveling another potato into her mouth.

Valentina shrugged, disinterested in the woman's disdain of everything she does. "I believe it tastes fine."

"You're a fool!"

She did not grant a response, chewing with green eyes narrowed at the woman she was charged with.

"You waste my time, can't cook, and can't clean—you're useless," Her words pierced like a knife, and offered one more stab with four, simple words, "just like your mother."

The young woman stiffened, jaw tight. She dropped her fork, seeing nothing but red. How dare her grandmother speak of her mother like that--she was a saint compared to the hag. Val knew she had worth, knew she had a purpose, at least she did now that she had Ellerie to remind her of such.

She was fed up with the way the woman spoke of and to her. The complete disregard of her feelings was tolerated long enough. It did not matter the consequences, nor did it matter that Valentina had nowhere to go after the fall out. Her tolerance and patience was empty.

"No!" She screamed, shocking herself and her grandmother with the outburst. "Do not speak to me as if I were the dirt beneath your shoe. I respect you every day, but you do not have the decency to do the same. I have done everything for you, but I am tired of it."

Thick stillness blanketed over the cottage. Val and her grandmother were mute, yet communicated clearly to the other. Similar eyes burned with violence, daring the other to make the next move. Val wouldn't--she wasn't a fool. There was nothing left to be said or done with the situation, and saying anything further would stoke the flames that already threatened to engulf them.

Standing with a crack in her bones, the old woman crinkled her nose in disdain. "Get outta' my house." Her voice was eerily calm despite the aggression expressed in her stance.

She couldn't leave--she needed to stand her ground for once. "No," Valentina simply stated, voice matching her grandmother's.

They were playing a dangerous game, Val knew that. There were only a few ways that this would play out, and most of them ended up with the young woman injured or dead. If circumstances were the same now as they were months prior, she wouldn't be worried about possible death. Now that Ellerie was in the picture, Valentina had something worth losing--newfound hope, confidante, and lover.

Elderly bones moved, approaching at a slow but steady pace. Her heart quickened, threatening to break her ribs just to be free. Sweaty palms clenched and her breathing labored, but feet remained planted. Val's stance was firm, almost authoritarian.

Almost nose to nose, her grandmother repeated herself. "Get out. Now."

"No."