Read The Choosing for Free Online

almost see her mind working. “Just tell me who it is, Jerath. And why are you smiling like that anyway?”
    “Because the answer is going to make you very happy.”
    Serim scoffs at him. “The only thing that would make me happy is if it was—” She sucks in a breath and jumps out of her chair. “It’s Ghaneth, isn’t it? Please, please, please tell me it’s Ghaneth.”
    She’s practically jumping with excitement and Jerath laughs at her expression. “Yes, it’s Ghaneth. His fangs came in overnight.”
    Serim lets out a very undignified squeal and jumps on Jerath so hard he stumbles as he tries to catch her in his arms.
    “I told him you’d be happy.”
    “Wait…. What? Jerath!” She eases herself out of his grip and slaps him on the arm. “You did not!”
    “Yes, I did. He likes you too, so just relax.” Jerath rubs the top of his arm where it smarts still. “We can go see him if you like?”
    “Definitely not!” Serim gestures to her clothes. She’s dressed in what Jerath can only describe as old rags, and her long, thick hair is piled high on top of her head in a ratty-looking bun. “I’m dressed for fishing, Jerath. There is no way I want Ghaneth to see me like this. Especially not now!”
    Jerath grabs Serim’s hand and picks up the bags and wrappings she brought for carrying the fish back afterward. “Let’s go, then. The sooner we get your chores done, the sooner you can go see Ghaneth.”
    Serim eagerly agrees, but insists on sneaking out of the village, hiding behind houses, bushes, and even a line full of drying clothes. All so they don’t run into Ghaneth. Jerath is openly laughing at her by the time they make it to the relative safety of the woods, and she glares at him and sticks out her tongue.
    “Last one to the lakes has to gut the fish!” Serim shouts over her shoulder as she tears off into the trees.
    “But it’s not even my job!” Jerath complains. He grumbles under his breath before chasing after her. The breeding pools are at least an hour away, and there’s no way Serim can run all the way unless she… oh , she’s such a cheater. Jerath spies a bundle of clothes on a rock ten paces ahead of him and he stops to pick them up. “Serim!” he shouts into the trees. “Serim! That’s not fair, you know!” He hears a low, rumbling growl off to his right, and he swears it sounds like she’s laughing at him. “I’ve a good mind to leave your clothes here!”
    He shakes his head, vowing that there’s absolutely no way he’s gutting any of the fish Serim catches, and traipses after her through the woods.
     
     
    B Y THE time Jerath reaches the fishing lakes, Serim is asleep. He huffs as he spots the black panther sprawled out on one of the large rocks around the edge of the water. She’s lazily soaking up the late afternoon sun, and Jerath knows that if he runs a hand over her sleek fur it’ll feel warm.
    “Thanks for waiting,” Jerath grumbles.
    Serim swishes her tail in a dismissive manner, and Jerath swats at it as he climbs up onto the rock beside her. He loves Serim’s panther form. She’s so strong and powerful, her muscles bunching and relaxing under his fingers as he strokes down her flank. But at the same time she remains soft and feminine. Her fur is smooth against his skin, and her eyes are the most beautiful color Jerath has ever seen.
    They lie there for a while, enjoying the sun and the peace and quiet, but the sun is starting to drop and Serim needs to catch some fish before they can head back to the village.
    “Serim?” Jerath yawns and stretches, trying to wake himself up a bit. “You need to change back and get to work.” He hops down off the rock and places Serim’s clothes in the spot he just left. “I’ll go get the nets out while you change.”
    Serim gnashes her teeth at him and Jerath takes it to mean, “Yes, okay.”
    There are four fishing lakes in total. The people of Eladir need the fish when the autumn and winter months are