Snowy Vacation

Angust spots Kania entering the resort gym beside Leon and brightens beneath the hammer-and-leaf banners. He waves them inside, his wild beard lifting with his grin.

Angust leads Leon past weight racks, padded mats, climbing frames, and carefully maintained machines. Kania follows proudly, explaining which spaces she uses most.

Juliet appears at the gym entrance with an easy smile. She has already guided Rosmira, Nayla, and Jews to a private room, where a movie night and refreshments await.

Leon glances once toward the corridor, then returns his attention to Kania as she gestures toward the padded practice area, inviting him to try a friendly session.

Leon gives the corridor one last glance, then steps onto the padded floor. Kania’s pleased smile grows as she moves closer, ready to guide him.

Kania demonstrates a balanced sequence across the mats, her auburn braids swaying with each turn. Leon follows carefully, matching her pace instead of overpowering it.

At the gym entrance, Juliet watches them with a soft, satisfied smile that lingers a little too long. Her expression remains warm enough to seem entirely ordinary.

Juliet gives Kania an encouraging wink, then leaves the gym with quiet satisfaction. The doors ease shut, and the resort’s warm corridors carry her footsteps away.

In the private room, a cheerful movie flickers across the screen. Rosmira, Nayla, and Jews lounge among blankets, fruit, pastries, and sparkling non-alcoholic drinks.

Nayla keeps one hand around her citrus drink, though her attention repeatedly drifts toward the door. The wolf beneath her ribs answers every romantic scene with a restless whine.

Nayla’s ears twitch at the teasing, and Rosmira’s presence beside her keeps the longing gentle rather than urgent. The three women settle deeper into the cushions.

Rosmira sends the small text and sets the phone down among the blankets. Jews and Nayla remain absorbed in the movie, neither noticing the quiet summons.

Across the resort, Leon’s phone vibrates against the gym bench. He reaches toward it, but Kania catches his wrist with a laughing, practiced wrestler’s grip.

Kania shifts closer, guiding his shoulders and hips through the maneuver. Her hands stay confident and familiar, while Leon’s attention keeps flicking toward the buzzing device.

Leon finally slips free, retrieves the phone, and reads Rosmira’s message. His expression softens with immediate recognition as he types a quick reply and turns back toward the room.

Leon gives her an apologetic smile, grabs his phone from the bench, and hurries toward the corridor. His footsteps fade beneath the resort’s warm, festive music.

Kania keeps her smile steady until the gym doors close. Only then does it soften at the edges, a quiet disappointment carefully tucked beneath her composed posture.

Juliet rounds the corner carrying folded towels and pauses beside the doorway. Her fond gaze moves from Leon’s retreating figure to Kania’s thoughtful expression.

Leon reaches the private room door and pauses outside. Inside, the movie continues softly, but Rosmira, Nayla, and Jews all turn toward the quiet knock with immediate curiosity.

Nayla rises before anyone can answer. The moment she opens the door and sees Leon, her restraint vanishes, and she launches herself into his arms.

Leon catches her securely, laughing as she wraps herself around him. His ears spring upright, and he presses his face into her hair while the others watch fondly.

Nayla refuses to let go immediately, holding him as though the gym had taken him across a distant world. Rosmira and Jews make room among the blankets.

The room’s easy laughter stops as a warm, unfamiliar scent clings to Leon. Rosmira, Nayla, and Jews turn toward him together, their attention suddenly sharp.

Leon freezes in Nayla’s arms, ears flattening as he looks from one woman to the next. For one helpless moment, he resembles a startled puppy caught near an overturned bowl.

Nayla studies his face, then inhales carefully at his collar. Her suspicion eases, though her arms remain firmly around his waist.

Nayla’s eyes flare an eerie yellow. Her embrace tightens around Leon as dark fur ripples over her arms, her posture shifting from guarded woman to bristling wolf.

The transformation completes with a soft rush of fur and muscle. Nayla remains upright and controlled, but her ears pin back while her wolf’s displeasure rolls through the room.

Rosmira and Jews exchange a quick glance. They recognize jealousy in Nayla’s voice, but neither can sense how pregnancy is amplifying every protective impulse.

Leon nods quickly, keeping both hands visible as Nayla’s golden gaze tracks him. The movie continues unwatched, while the room waits for her anger to settle.

Leon lowers himself into the center chair, sitting rigidly with both hands on his knees like a criminal awaiting judgment. Nayla’s wolfish stare follows him.

Jews gently takes Nayla by the arm and guides her toward the adjoining room. Nayla goes, though she looks back at Leon until the door settles nearly closed.

The room quiets around Leon. Rosmira faces him from the blankets, offering simple counsel rather than accusation, while the warning beneath it remains unmistakable.