Chapter Four

Holden

Miffs. Something was wrong with Nelson. I didn't know much about outer-worlders, but I knew I couldn't help him in my turtle form. I quickly shifted back and put on my clothing. The material was awkward and itchy, but I'd worn the thing they called underwear to make the newcomer more comfortable. Apparently, it wasn't enough.

I crouched down beside him. "What's wrong? How can I help you?" I didn't know whether to rub his back, make him lie down, or rush him to the healer.

"You're a shifter." He sucked in a heavy breath. "I just watched you change from a human into a turtle."

"Yes and no." I nodded, unsure what he was getting at. "I was born as a turtle, but the magic of this world allows me to take a humanlike form." He'd never met a shifter, so I thought a demonstration of what I could do would be an appropriate introduction. But maybe it was too much for him. Too soon. Ahmed hadn't left me specific instructions for when the outer-worlders arrived.

"But you still shifted forms." He hugged his knees to his chest and began to rock back and forth. "That should be impossible. This can't be real. I have to be in the middle of an elaborate dream, but I can't wake up."

"It's not a dream." I decided to rub his back, hoping that would at least calm him a little. I couldn't take him to Banir in such a state. The leader wouldn't be happy that I already upset the outer-worlder who could end up being his mate. "There are many shifters in the Enchanted Forest. I can introduce you to the others, too. Would you like to go now?"

"No." He shook his hand, palm toward me. "I need a minute. Or several. Maybe some water. Do you have any water around here?"

Water. I could do water. I stood up, ready to get some from the pond. Then I remembered what Ahmed had said. Switching directions, I headed to the well. I worried about leaving Nelson on his own, but he didn't seem dangerous. And I hadn't observed any weapons on him. Hopefully, he would be okay for the moment.

Making a mad dash for the well, I hadn't realized until I arrived that I would need something to put the water in. Luckily, someone had left behind some containers tightly woven by Marcel, a mallard duck shifter. And I didn't have time to search elsewhere for a clay cup.

A woven bowl probably wouldn't hold all the water, but it would get some to Nelson if I hurried.

When I returned to the outer-worlder, he had some strange device in his hand and held it up in the air while pacing between the meadow and the forest. "There is no signal anywhere."

Signal? What kind of signal was he looking for? I shrugged. I doubted he would find anything up in the sky. At least not until nightfall when the stars came out to help guide us.

I didn't think I would ever understand what happened in the outer-world and was glad it wasn't the other way around, where we had to leave the Enchanted Forest to find a mate.

"I...have some water."

Nelson's body tensed as if I'd startled him.

"Sorry." I held the bowl of water out to him, the bottom wet, but most of the liquid had remained inside. "This is all I could get in a hurry, but there is more to eat and drink in the village."

"Thank you." He scooped some water into his hands to drink before splashing more onto his face. "I'm still finding all this hard to believe. It feels like a dream. I know I said that many times already, but it's the only way I can try to understand things I always believed weren't real or were impossible."

"I think I can understand that. Your world would be just as confusing to me." I rubbed my hand behind my neck, unsure how to get him moving so I could take him to the council. I did not believe force was appropriate or warranted in the situation. He was cute, so I didn't mind spending time with him, but I didn't want to get into trouble with the council for not bringing him to them right away.

His eyes grew wide, and his cheeks flushed as he let out a soft moan. My cock bobbed in response to the sound.

Okay, maybe cute wasn't the right word. He was alluring, and I was tempted to hide him from the council and keep him for myself. Nelson must have seen the shift in my clothing as his line of sight darted down my body before he gasped.

I quickly covered my erection. "Sorry. That was inappropriate. I must get you to council."

"And what if I don't want to go?" With his arms crossed, he pouted in a way that made my shaft even harder. Almost painful.

"Then I will be forced to put you over my shoulder and carry you to the village." I had to get him there one way or another. Regardless of my body's attraction to him, he wasn't deemed to be my mate.

The corner of Nelson's lips turned up in a half smile. "Maybe that's what I want." He put his forearm to his forehead. "After all, I do feel weak."

I couldn't deny the outer-worlder what he wanted. And if it was the only way to get him moving, I had to carry him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I heaved him over my shoulder before we started on our way. As we got closer to the village, he began to wiggle, so I held my palm to his backside, ready to give it a tap if needed. Yet, my touch settled him quickly enough.