He doesn't buy anything from the stands around him and doesn't stop moving until he sees a young woman standing in front of a vegetable stand. He inhales, taking in the sweet scent that is still coming from her.
In all the years of his life, he has never found anyone's scent to be so instantly pleasing before. She smells like a combination of his summer home, like his mother before she had deteriorated from her sickness and passed away, leaving his father to die of a broken heart. It had been terribly romantic the way it was portrayed in the papers when it had left him orphaned at an age of fifteen. He had been angry at the world, angry at a system that treats Shifter as inferior.
The young woman scrunches her face as she tries to look for the best bundle of green on display. It is clear that even the humans around her know what she is not only by how much distance she is given but also by the way her tail is swiping back and forth underneath her dress, only the white, fluffy tip visible below the flowing white skirt. The modest white dress she wears is don up to her neck and long sleeves cover her to the wrists. She is wearing a large hat that twitches as she focuses, betraying the ears she is obviously trying to keep hidden.
Even from behind, he can see that she is still young, perhaps in her teens, her silhouette is lovely, but her waist is too dainty for her hips and she should grow a little taller. She's half a head head shorter than everyone around her.
Someone as young as her should have a chaperone. Cats are pack creatures and their young are never allowed to venture far, surely not someone as young as her.
Once she picks her bounty, the old man smiles at her and bundles it up quickly, rejecting her money.
"Did you get permission from your father to leave the house, Ally?" the man asks, laughing as though he had told a particularly funny joke.
She bristles and looks like she is ready to argue about something, but snaps her mouth close. "He's- he's helping Mama with something in the city," she says.
"You aren't living alone out in that cabin, are you, darling? It's hardly safe out there on your own!" he says, brows furrowing. "The Missus wouldn't mind having you stay with us if you want."
She shakes her head. "No, thank you. Dom is with me," she says.
The man startles at the name, having obviously heard that before. "Dominic is hardly good company," he says.
The way he says is piques Erik's interest at once. He recognizes that tone, it's the same tone people use when they talk about animals that they think should be put down. There are some Shifters in the city who are never able to integrate into normal society. The animals inside of them demand to live free, so even though they look human, they are more animal in spirit.
"Dominic takes good care of me and- and you shouldn't say mean things about him," she huffs and is clearly attempting to look more menacing than she is, puffing out her chest, the fur on her tail bristling. It's sweet how quickly she comes to her friend's defense. "We're not supposed to discriminate."
The man clams up and sighs. "If you say so, darling," he says. It's clear that the man has a soft spot for Ally. "If you need anything, you know where we are," he says.
She nods and reaching over the produce to gather her bundle, revealing dainty cream-colored shoes that matches her dress and a white stocking underneath her long skirt. "Thank you," she says, voice lovely and sweet as the rest of her.
He finds himself drawn to her, wanting to touch, wanting her to touch him in return. It is such a foreign thought that he shocks himself enough into taking a step back. Fuck. He doesn't even know how old she was. Probably too young for him.
He buys a basket of strawberries displayed in front of him and walks pointedly in the opposite direction. It feels as though he is walking away from something important.
He ignores that feeling.
Chapter Two: Gossip
He brings his strawberries to his new home and then sets out again because he's not used to being idle. Retiring is definitely not for him, but he's supposed to be on vacation for another two weeks. Or well, if he could find out how to earn money here and get the Alpha of this pack of Cat Shifters to join him. Maybe he'll set another precedent. He already has pack Alphas all over the country who are loyal to him. Why not Werecats as well?
He had been walking a good hour down the street when the sparse houses begin to grow closer together and it is obvious that he is getting near the center of the town. The town hall i
s a surprise, as is the library right next to it, large, old, and very proud-looking. He tilts his head up to look at the intricate designs on the arch of the entrance and can't help but smile at how well it had been preserved.
For the second time that day, he is distracted by a sweet scent coming from inside the library. He considers turning around and walking away again, but Erik has never been one to deny himself what he wants. Perhaps if he gets to know the young girl better, he could convince himself that it's just a fluke. Maybe she is using the same perfume his mother used to own.
The man sitting behind the reception desk is so old and deaf that he doesn't even notice Erik when he walks past. He is completely absorbed in the large-print book he's ready.
Erik strolls down the impressive rows of books deep in the library until he finds the young woman again, though the angle still prevents him from seeing her face. The proximity makes it easier for him to gauge her size and frame and the lack of the crowd allows him a full whiff of scent that is entirely her. She has her hat clenched tightly in one hand while her other hand reaches up, fingers wriggling as though willing herself to grow longer fingers on the spot. It is altogether endearing, tugging at his heartstrings.
Her ears are an adorable orange and black shade with dark tuffs from the tips of the ears. It reminds him of the Maine Coon that Jake's wife is so fond of.
She is reaching for a book that is too high for her, standing on tip toes and hopping adorably, bouncing on the tips of her toes and making little hugging noises that reminds him of something else.
His cock takes interest as his imagination runs wild and he fantasizes her on top of him, bouncing on his cock, pretty white dress ruffling and breasts bouncing lewdly.
It would be more appropriate for him to leave without admitting to seeing anything. His presence would likely just embarrass her.
But he wants.