Ronny

Letting out a lengthy sigh, the anxiety weighing over me dissipates at the notion of the only two people being capable of helping her are the same person. Rufus is pleased, and since the occurrence in the bathroom, he's settling down in the back of my mind. Enjoying the subtle bounce of the dirt path, the crack of twigs and shifting of leaves, I glance at the time on the display of my dashboard, and fifteen minutes have passed.

Sporting a warm smile, I tap her shoulder, thankful she doesn't startle at my touch, or start to hyperventilate. Instead, there's a small smile, and her eyes shine with sleep. "Hey, has it been fifteen minutes already?"

Her arm continues to hold her stomach, even when she had been asleep, she was unconsciously doing it, and it makes me wish I was greedy enough to pack a second sandwich. It won't be long, and Alpha will make sure she has the strength she needs.

Pushing the thought to the back of my mind, I nod, gesturing to the small haven of shrubbery. "Here we are. His cabin isn't far ahead, I'll walk with you."

Making sure the car was locked and parked beneath the camouflage of the shrubbery was the easy part, carrying her is the hardest. I'm not surprised her limbs are exhausted, still craving food, and irritable by the healing process, but I didn't know she would wriggle. Manoeuvring roots, ducking under overhanging branches, and sidestepping lumps of dirt, I try to hush her, and relief sinks in when her body relaxes.

Eve's groans and protests about being too hot concern me, but the moment I offer to help roll the sleeves to her top up, she furiously shakes her head, mumbling how her body is indecent. At first, I didn't understand the meaning behind her words, then the images of the injuries she sustained and what they must look like now as they heal crosses my mind, and I feel guilty.

Maybe if I was at the party, I could've somehow prevented it.

Soon she'll be getting help, then I know I've done my part, and she's going to unite with her Mate.

"She is going to need to catch up on a lot of things," Rufus snorts, and I try not to smile because she will think I'm being weird.

"She sure does."

I know I should mention I've been ordered to keep an eye on Kai, and I've got an inkling it's because she reached out to him, not that I blame her. However, I'd rather avoid adding more stress to the pile weighing on her shoulders. Alpha will have this under control, and when things blow over, I'm sure her and Kai will patch things up.

"Ronny, will you stay with me until. . . what did you call him? Albert? Alba? arrives?"

I can't help but laugh. I know I shouldn't, but I wasn't expecting that, and if Alpha heard, I'm sure he would have a thing or to say about it. Rufus snickers in the background.

"No, Eve. Alpha," I say, and she makes a small noise of acknowledgement. "And I would, but not this time. It's a lot to explain right now, but I'm sure if you ask him, he'll be able to fill you in."

I'm thankful she doesn't press the subject because I'm sure after a million questions, it would start to get uncomfortable for the both of us.

"You and me both," Rufus inserts, and hiding the grin gets harder.

"What are you grinning at?"

"Sorry, it's nothing. Just a thought," I answer, covering my chuckle with a cough.

She hums and rests her head against my chest as I proceed to trudge through the woodlands, enjoying the earthy odours, the melodies of the birds within the canopies, and the gentle crunch of leaves beneath the heels of my shoes. I'm excited for the day I can do this with my Mate, hand in hand, exploring the woods, and Rufus is dying to chase her wolf in a thrilling game of tag. It's days like those I want Eve to experience, none of this where she fears what's heading her way, what the outcome will be, and what it will leave her afterward.

"I remember you saying you were born like this, what was it like?" she murmurs against me, and it brings a smile to my face because she's curious.

Thinking back to my earliest memories, I remember my mum being there, and my dad. They had been waiting for me in their wolf's form, ready to take me out for the first time. Now I'm remembering it, it only feels as if it had happened yesterday. I was so small compared to them, trotting alongside them with Rufus trying to get me to pay attention to their instructions.

"Growing up," I start, finding the right words, "had been like you; our teeth would fall out, new ones came, we went through growth spurts, only they hurt a little more because our bones had to strengthen. Apart from that, nothing out of the ordinary. . ." I smile. "Other than when we shift. I was young for mine, my shift just came and went to accommodate my small size, but for you. . . I can't say."

Eve tenses, and I'm sure she goes to fight me but ceases when I tighten my hold around her. There's a choked sob, and when I study her face, she turns away from me. I know I've put my foot in it, but she needs to know the truth.

"You just made it real for her, she'll be fine," Rufus soothes, and it takes the edge off, but I know I should've kept my mouth shut.

"I don't want to be like this," she whispers, sniffling.

I sigh, rubbing the side of her arm with my thumb. "I know, and I wish I could tell you there's a way to fix it, but—"

"There isn't," she deadpans.

I remain silent. Rufus stirs at the sight of the miniature clearing up ahead and the small cabin perched in the centre.

"I can't sense him," he notes, and I inhale deeply, catching Eve's strawberry shampoo, anxiety, despair, and the earthy scents surrounding us.

Keeping my guard up because this is his territory, and I have his female in my arms, I take cautious steps toward the two steps leading to a small portion of wood outside the front door. Sitting Eve down with care, I take three steps back from her.

If he isn't here, I know he's not going to be far, especially if his Mate is going to be in the area.

Catching the inquisitive hue in her eyes, I offer another comforting smile. "I'm going to have to leave now, but he will be here shortly. No one is better at taking care of you than he is." And I hope you make it through the transition with no problems.

I don't add the last bit for fear of scaring her more than she is. The rustling to the left of me has Rufus's ears pricking, and I know I'm outstaying my welcome.

"Thank you, Ronny. . . for this. You're not a bad guy." Her sad smile tugs at my heart, and I feel terrible. She didn't deserve this, and I can only pray to the Moon Goddess that she can find peace with the new life that's been given to her.

"I'll see you around college." Hopefully. "You got this," I say, flashing another grin.

Taking another step back, I pivot on my heels and take the path I had when entering the clearing. Once covered by the treeline, I sense his presence before I see him.

"Good job."

With that, I leave with pride filling my chest, knowing I've done the right thing.

Calex

She's here.

The wild berry fragrance I picked up from when I first saw her hits me like a truck, mingling with my own scent and marking of the territory. I never thought having another's scent would be so thrilling, so addictive. I want more, to have every trace of her around me. It makes my blood boil in the most delicious way, and I can feel Flynn growling in delight. I should've asked Ronny for her name, but knowing she's on my doorstep was too consuming. I feel like a predator watching his prey, knowing any sudden movement will spook her. I can't help but admire her, something new for me. She's beautiful, but I don't miss how she's huddled in on herself, tucked close to the banister, clutching her stomach.

"She needs food, or she'll be too weak for the shift," Flynn rumbles, and I nod my head, eyeing the boar at my feet.

"We'll make sure she's ready, don't worry."

Knowing the outcome of bringing the kill with me, I leave it behind the tree. Flynn paces in anticipation for her reaction when she sees us, and I'm ready for the possible scenarios to follow. Her head jerks to the side, causing her hair to fly around and turn a stunning reddish brown under the sun beams. Her nose twitches, eyes narrowing, and I deliberately squash a twig beneath my heel to catch her attention.

When her eyes snap to me, they widen, soaking in the sun and showing me the bright green hue as she scrambles to her feet. Keeping the pace slow and steady, I stop far enough to allow her the assurance she has room to move freely, and to my surprise, she descends the steps instead of bolting for cover inside the cabin. My skin lights up under her gaze as she openly scrutinises me from my torn jeans, across my shredded shirt, then up to my face. The minute our eyes lock, the anxiety washing over her morphs into fear, and Flynn snarls in response.

"I-it's you."