Lupa and Romeo (292 words)

Daily Flash Fiction entry: Keeping in touch with your inner wolf

Lupa and Romeo

(292 words)

Lupa snuggled up to Romeo on the couch, her head on his shoulder, their eyes on the television screen. “The moon is full tonight,” she said, suggestively.

Romeo fidgeted. “Can’t we just stay in?” he asked.

“Maybe just a little bit of howling?”

“No tonight. I’m tired.”

She missed her crazy canine. Routine bogged them down. She put her nose to his neck. Smell was everything to their kind. “Your scent awakens the primal in me,” she said.

He sighed. “Lupa, please … I had a hard day.”

How to bring the spice back into their marriage? Work had taken over their lives. It was time to make one another the priority. “Shapeshifting is all the more recommended then,” she said, lightly. “It’s our special time.”

“Every moment with you is special.”

“Don’t you want to feel the cool night air on your nose?”

He breathed in deeply, thoughtfully.

“Cock your ears to mysterious sounds?”

He turned to face her. “I guess it’s been a while.”

She put her hand on his chest. “You need to get out of this skin.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Run free.”

“You think that’s what I need?”

She ran her fingers through his shaggy hair in an affectionate touch. “Trust your gut. What does it tell you? Go into your soul, go into your instincts. Embrace that rush of calm, that clarity, that comes with being the real you.”

He smiled. “The best therapy.”

“Got that right.”

“What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to find out.”

“I love you.”

She kissed him on the lips. “Who’s my big bad wolf?” she murmured.

Out they went and renewed their spirits. They howled at the moon and ran the woods, paws pounding, hearts thumping. Authenticity has its rewards.