The Wolf and Deer (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

|| Three Houses ||

A/n: Picture above is of Presea (Preh-seh-ah). I do not own any images used in this story! All rights go to their respective owners! Also, I didn't expect this chapter to be this long. But anyway, I hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
••••••••••••••••••••

The sunlight pierced the canopy of the forest, the warm rays casting down upon the group. Jeralt and the Knights of Seiros led the way to Garreg Mach Monastery while Dimitri, Claude, Edelgard, and Byleth follow a few yards behind them. They stared down the path, seeing a break in the tree line up ahead.

After a prolonged silence, Dimitri spoke up. "This will be your first time at the monastery. I'd be happy to show you around," he offered Byleth.

"It really is Fódlan in a nutshell. The good and the bad," Claude chimed in, walking in between Dimitri and Byleth.

"Like it or not, we'll be there soon enough," Edelgard stated.

A minute of silence passed before the sound of howling filled the air. The only ones who were confused were Jeralt and Byleth. The young mercenary drew his blade when he spotted something in the sky flying straight for them.

Edelgard held out her hand, gesturing for Byleth to sheath his blade. Her piercing lilac eyes were focused on the silhouette as it approached at a rapid pace. "She is an ally."

"Oh, no..." Claude grumbled, taking a few steps back.

Dimitri grinned in amusement. "It seems you won't be able to lie your way out of this one, Claude."

Byleth glances between Claude and the Pterolykos. He was still confused as to what was approaching. Another howl echoed around them as Dimitri, Edelgard, and Byleth stepped away from Claude. The emerald-eyed boy glanced around at the others when he noticed them backing away from him. "You guys really are—"

He didn't get to finish his sentence as he was tackled to the ground by the Pterolykos. He groaned in pain from the harsh impact and opened his eyes slowly. With a sigh, he looked up at the wolf and into its crystalline eyes. "H-Hey, Presea," he spoke as another grunt of pain left his throat.

She growled, her front paws on his chest as she stared down at him with a fiery glare. Her wings were spread out in a threatening manner, but Dimitri and Edelgard knew Presea wouldn't hurt Claude in any way, shape, or form. She leant her head down, sniffing his clothes. When she received a whiff of the bandits, she climbed off his body and sat down as her wings folded up against her back. She whined with her ears flattened against her head as Claude sat up, rubbing the back of his head.

When Claude saw she was no longer mad, he leans forward and placed his hand on the top of her head. He stroked her velvety fur gently with a smile. "Sorry for worrying you."

Presea closed her eyes as Claude scratched behind her ears, which happened to be one of her favorite spots. He chuckled when he watched her eyes shut and lean closer to him. "You're really a sucker when it comes to petting, Presea."

The Pterolykos snorted a puff of air at his words, her eyes opening at his cheeky response. Her eyes traveled over to Byleth once Claude ceased petting her. She smelt a familiar scent from the boy and stood up, nudging her nose against his hand. He remained silent and unmoving, allowing the canine to sniff him.

Unconsciously, Byleth reaches out with his other hand and rubbed the top of Presea's head. He saw how she reacted when Claude scratched behind her ears and did the same. A faint smile appeared on his face for a split second seeing how gentle and calm the beast was under his touch before vanishing.

"Presea knows how to track you wherever you go, Claude," Edelgard said.

"Yeah, well..." Claude stood up, brushing the dirt and grass off his clothes from his fall. "She is a Pterolykos. It would be more surprising if she couldn't track a person."