Glory folded her hands behind her head. Closing her eyes she leaned her head on the tree, pressing against it, making small scratches on her forehead.

Sweat swam down her temples. Down her back. Her shirt was almost drenched.

Her chest rose and fell. The pain was inescapable.

There was nothing Edan could do but watch.

The first month away from NightShape - her first full moon - it wasn't that bad. She just had a major temper and couldn't stand it when someone voiced their opinion. The second month - her second full moon without shifting, it wasn't that bad either, it was much like her first. Until the last three days of the cycle, that's when her temper turned physical. The third month of the full moon without shifting, her temper had slowed down. It's just that every little thing they said annoyed the hell out of her, and at night when the moon was visible, she started to feel the pain of her bones starting to shift by force - it was hard trying to control it but it was manageable. The fourth month of the full moon, the one she was currently experiencing, was the third all over. Just ten times more extreme.

Edan and Everest watched from the wooden cabin. Through the hole they considered to be their window. "Maybe you should go check if she's okay."

Edan looked at her like she was a serial killer. "Why me? You're the one that's buddy-buddy with her."

"It's your turn!"

"And? She'd kill me in a heartbeat. You're a lot stronger."

"No, I'm not.

"Okay," Edan challenged. "Let's say we both broke our legs. Who would heal faster?"

Everest furrowed her eyebrows and sputtered, trying to find words. "That's not fair. It's your turn!"

"Well, I don't speak female!"

"What's the difference?"

"I don't know!"

So the two bickered while Glory, in very much pain, was mere seconds away from shifting. Her canines grew, a layer of claws grew and hide her human ones. Her scent already getting stronger by just those simple actions.

"Glory," Edan sneaked up behind her; which probably wasn't the best idea.

A low growl erupted past her lips and she turned away from the tree. He put his hands up in defence, so she would see he wasn't a threat. Her wolf was taking over. Her eyes started to glow. She growled at him again. Her lips turned up to expose her sharp teeth. He stepped closer to her, despite her threatening growl.

Everest watched from the cabin. Thinking she should feel guilty for sending him out there with a murderous untamed female who was about to shift, but she didn't feel guilty. At all. To Everest, it just seemed like a better way for the two to spend time together and bond. They needed that.

Edan was never really into any females back in their pack. Even though he was hiding it. It took a blind wolf to see the chemistry the two had been developing the last four months, and they were both blind wolves. Okay, maybe it wasn't that obvious, but it was obvious to wolves that knew Edan before - to the ones that knew how little interest he showed in other female wolves before.

Glory, however, Everest didn't really know Glory before so maybe she was reading the signs wrong. Maybe she acted like this around all male wolves. Maybe she got all the wolves back home in her old pack like that. If she didn't, she was whipped. So badly. So intently. Everest even felt sorry for her. As for Edan, she was glad that he had to suffer. He deserved it.

Glory's eyes narrowed, the growls becoming louder, threatening.

Edan didn't know if he could stop her from shifting. It was hard. The first time that this happened to him he couldn't resist the temptation to shift either. He knew that if he couldn't stop her from shifting he had to get her as far away from here as possible, so her scent wouldn't stain their territory.

If she shifts, depending on who is looking for her, she is very likely, very screwed at this moment. Edan just hoped she wasn't very wanted, otherwise, they were all screwed. If she shifts on their territory they have to get out of there as soon as possible, and considering how human Edan was and how much strength Everest has lost. They aren't going to make it. There's a possibility Everest might, but no chance Edan will.

He stared into her glowing red eyes. Stepping closer. "Glory." He spoke carefully. "Look at me."

He walked a step closer, careful not to overstep his boundaries. "Glory. Hey. Listen to be okay." Her nostrils flared in anger. She wanted to attack. "I'm not going to hurt you if you don't hurt me."

Slowly. Surely. He reached for her hand. "I'm not going to hurt you. You can trust me. Let me take your hand. I can help you."

His voice was soothing. Unlike the other times when he was bickering with Everest. Glory liked this tone. So she let him take her hand. Gradually leading her into the forest, away from their home. Away from exposure. She trusted him, so she let him. Looking into his eyes, feeling turn herself turn human bit by bit. The wolf withering away from her thoughts. The pain disappearing.

She focused on him. His long hair falling into his eyes. The light stubble his face was developing. He usually didn't let it grow too long before getting rid of it by scraping a sharp knife along it.

She didn't know how long they had been walking, but she was clutching Edan's hand like her life depended on it. Which it did. Her shirt was dry like the sweat was never even there, she must've smelled bad. However, that was the last thing on her mind. She couldn't think straight, she could barely process the trees as they walked by.

Her mind was foggy, her wolf wanted to be in control, it was begging to be let out. It whimpered and scratched. Glory wanted to cry at how bad she was making her wolf feel.

Edan sensed her sadness. It was impossible not to. He's been through the same thing and he knew what emotions to look out for. So he held her hand like she was holding his and led her to the lake.

When they got there he let go of her hand; she was still clutching, hesitant to let go. Her mind was still hazy, her judgment fogged up.

She looked at the lake, confused. She couldn't think straight. Shifting her eyes towards at Edan; who was already staring at her. Watching her for any sort of reaction.

She rubbed her upper arm, a shy look in her eyes as he started to walk towards the water.

She watched as the water casually engulfed him. First taking his feet, then his legs. Till he was in rib deep - he turned towards her, "are you coming?"

She really had no idea what to do at this moment. When he realized she wasn't coming he started walking towards her again. Emerging from the water. Dripping. His shirt clinging to most of his body outlining his V-shaped upper body.

He reached for her hand and started to drag her towards the body of water with him. "Water helps. It calms you down."

She couldn't stop looking in his eyes. She was in a trance. Captivated.

"Focus on the sounds. On the feeling." His words were a muddled

She could only focus on him.

Her feet met the water, as did his. Her legs were consumed; so were his. By the time she was shoulder deep in the water; he wasn't even chest deep.

He let go of her hand - this time he was being the hesitant one. Edan reached up to her face, his long fingers sliding into her hair. Admiring her long brown locks. "You should get a haircut."

She smiled, her gaze hitting the water. She remembered when she told time that. She also remembers the next day; her first full moon out of NightShape. Her first full moon without shifting, it was much easier than this one. There was less pain, and there was Edan - distracting her. Much like he was doing now. The day before, the one they spent in the cave. It changed a lot about how they saw each other. They still had arguments, they still bickered like five-year-olds - but there was a change in atmosphere. It was a good change.

He dropped his hand into the water and started walking backwards; deeper into the water.

Slowly closing his eyes; holding his breath as his head plunged under water. He was supposed to distract her, take her mind off things so she wouldn't turn. Yet, he felt like the only one that was distracted.

He opened his eyes, vision slightly blurry from the water. She was standing in front of him. Her shirt was floating around, exposing her stomach.

Not helping him at all.

He released his breath, bubbles making their way to the surface as he closed his eyes again. Trying to relax.

He felt her moving, so when he opened his eyes again he wasn't all surprised to see her staring at him. Her almond shaped eyes burning into him.

Her hair was floating everywhere, which made her more attractive than she already was. Her cloudy grey eyes seemed darker.

This is not helping either.

He pushed his head out of the water, taking a breath. So did she.

"Are you okay," she noticed something was off.

"I should be asking you that," he rasped.

"I'm. . . Okay. You, however, look out if it." She was beginning to feel more like herself.

"Well, it's kinda hard not to look out of it when you could shift any second and kill me."

She grinned. "Good point." She made a weird circular motion with her hands around her head while saying, "my head - it's errm - getting clearer."

Her statement sounded more like a question.

"The freezing water might be doing the trick."

He didn't even realize how cold it was until she mentioned it. Goosebumps were all over her arms.

"So you're not going to go all crazy on me?"

"Can't make any promises."

He stared at the water.

"Seriously? What is it?" Glory's never seen Edan like this - distracted - out of it.

He swallowed. "It's complicated."

She huffed. "Everything is complicated to you. Why can't you just tell me?"

He didn't answer her for a few moments. "I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Same reason you can't tell me why you left your pack."

"I thought we were over this. We put our differences aside and just get along. And we've been doing great for four months! Is this about me shifting?"

"I can't tell you Glory. That would be breaking our deal."

"Okay then. Why don't you tell me why you left your pack and I'll tell you why I left mine. Why do I have to go first?"

"We've been over this a million times!" Edan wanted to plunge his head into the water again. They've been over this so many times. So many.

"Okay. Fine. I'll drop it."

Now she was upset. So was he. This happened at least once a week. Possibly even every day. One of the two pushed the other to tell them what they wanted to know. Although this was happening, it didn't stop them from growing closer to one another. Maybe even closer than Everest and Glory.

Sometimes, sometimes. Edan even let Glory wear his hoodie by the fire in the evening.

The only thing that was keeping them from growing even close was the secrets they held from each other. They didn't fully trust each other, but they did trust each other a whole lot more than they did four months ago.

"So are you going to let me wash up or not?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"No."

She gaped at him, "why not?"

"Because I can't risk you turning. And if I'm all the way out there, I can't be here. To make sure you don't shift and expose your scent."

"Nice to know you care," she murmured sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes dramatically. "I'm just saving my own ass."

"Oh. That's funny. Last time I checked - you didn't have one."

He glared at her, resisting the temptation to say something about her checking him out. He decided not to, she always, always, had something to reply. "Whatever."

She grinned and splashed water on him. "Turn around."

"Why?"

"Because I want to wash. I smell."

"Than wash, Glorious."

"Haha - don't call me that. If you're not going to turn around, then you're going to have to watch."

One thing Glory liked about Edan was that, most times, he was very easy to convince. He was a completely different person than the one he was when she met him. He was nice. Sweet. A pain in the ass. . . Which didn't really change - and he was very considerate of her feelings. He was actually a lot like Everest.

"Fine. I'll turn around." Edan wasn't sure if he liked this newly found confidence Glory was developing the last couple months. She was getting too comfortable. Maybe it was a bad idea to let her in.

"Hold this," she slung her shirt over his shoulder and he rolled his eyes. Then her pants. Fortunately nothing else.

"Hey. Edan? Can I ask you a question?" She spoke through splashes.

"Mhmm,"

"How do you guys wash up during the winter time?"

"We don't."

"Like. Never."

"Nope."

"Oh."

"But if you're desperate enough you can melt yourself some snow and spill it on yourself. I don't really know how that would work out."

"No thanks."

"Usually we just wash our clothes in the thing we use to sterilize our water, but that's only once a month. It a pain waiting for them to dry them out."

"Where'd you get all that stuff anyway. You know the cups, the pans the pots. Even the knives and other weapons."

"We took some stuff with us when we left."

"How? I was barely even able to sneak out on myself."

"I guess we thought it through and you clearly didn't. And sometimes, in the beginning, we'd sneak in and steal some stuff, but after a while, it got too risky."

"You guys have a serious death wish."

"Death is our middle name - are you almost finished?"

She scoffed, pretending to be insulted. "It's been five minutes - not even. My hair my feels disgusting."

"Do you want me to wash it for you?" He smirked.

"Yes."

It would be a lie to say he wasn't surprised. "Are you being serious?"

"Yes. It's kinda hard to get the scalp when you have long hair, plus long nails."

Edan still wasn't sure if she was being serious. Yeah, sure she wasn't completely naked, but she was halfway there. She wasn't always this confident, but every full moon and the few days before, she magically grows an extra pair of balls.

He turned around to her brown eyes peering up at him. A glint of something he couldn't quite identify in her eye's. A slight grin tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Don't look at me like that," he mumbled.

"Like what?"

"Like that?"

"I don't know what you mean." She defended.

"Just don't."

"Okay. Though I can't promise you because I'm not sure which face I'm making. And if it's making you uncomfortable I should probably make it more often."

"It's not making me uncomfortable. It's something else - just don't do it." He spoke quietly, reaching down to take her hands.

She puckered her lips slightly, watching him. She wanted him to kiss her. Though she knew he wouldn't, especially since he didn't fully trust her.

"The sun starting to set." She whispered.

He looked up at the sky and looked at her. "We should probably go."

"You haven't washed my hair yet."

Her voice sent goosebumps up his body. She'd think it was from the water, but he knew better.

Without another word, she turned around. His finger slithered into her hair and he massaged her scalp. She dipped her head back so her hair was completely engulfed in water.

Her brown eyes gazed into his, he wanted to kiss her but he knew he couldn't do that.

Even if he could, he wouldn't. Edan learned a lot about Glory that day. Even though he had been pushing her to tell him, he wished that he wouldn't know. He may not know that much, but it was a start, and to be honest. He was beginning to think he didn't want to know the truth.

He was scared the truth would take her from him.

▪

He exhaled. The cold air making his breaths visible. He slides down, his back pressing against the cabin. He dug his fingers into the dirt, grabbing a first full and throwing it. He slammed his head back into the wood

"You're gonna get yourself a head injury," Everest folded her arms in front of her chest. Walking up to him. You're also going to get yourself sick. It's cold out here. You're not invincible."

He didn't look at her. He couldn't meet her eyes.

"What's wrong Edan?" Everest handed him a cup of tea of her famous mint tea Edan didn't really enjoy. He took it anyway.

"You know damned well what's wrong Everest."

"Tell me, Edan. Maybe I missed something."

Edan converted his gaze to the ground; massaging his temples. Everest sat down beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Tell me. What's stopping you? I can see the way you look at her. She looks at you the same way, and has been for a while."

"This is the first moon she's come close to shifting. Her first. Normal wolves wouldn't have been able to suppress the first shift for so long. If they were even able to hold back shifting at all." One side of his lips turned up into a grimace like smile. "However she was able to do all that. Did you see her eyes?"

His eyebrows furrowed and he put down the tea he had been holding. He was torn.

"No. I didn't," Everest was suddenly interested, she sat down in front of him. She waited for him to tell her about Glory's eyes, when he didn't - "Edan? What about her eyes?"

Edan couldn't meet Everest's. "They were red. And we both know what that means."

Everest's head bowed, and shoulders slumped. Covering her face with her hands - she groaned. "Are you kidding me. What does that tell us?"

"Nothing," he deadpanned. "It shoves us more in the dark. But at least now I know why she might be hiding things from me."

"Are you sure that they're that red? Or pink red? Or - anything but red-red?"

"Have you ever seen a wolf with pink-red eyes?"

Everest pursed her lips together and her eyes looked up - trying to recall a memory she doesn't have. She shook her head, "no. No, I don't think so."

"Neither have I."

"So she's like what? She can't be an Alpha - I'm pretty sure we'd be dead by know - or at least one of us."

"I have no idea. All I know - she's an Alpha or a Beta's daughter and I'll be damned if they haven't been looking everywhere for her."

Everest let a few unholy words slip part her lips and fell on her back. Staring at the stars. Edan just exhaled, closing his eyes. He let his thoughts drift to Glory. They hadn't realized it but they sure as heck did how.

The moment Everest saved Glory from the goner their lives turned upside down. Things were not going to go the way they wanted - whether they knew that or not.

They couldn't leave her now, they both care too much for her. It soon was going to be put to the test how much they would give up for her.

🌲

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