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The next time I see Lily I pray that she hasn't taken our last conversation to heart, I really cannot be bothered for the silent treatment. Not that she says much to me anyway but this slow progress is killing me and I know I need to be patient but I just don't want her to hate me so soon.

By the looks of things she hates everything and I might be within that spectrum.

It's Sunday and most of the pack go and see their families, hang out with their friends and take the day off from their hard work, so the pack house is mostly quiet which I am always grateful for.

So when Lily comes downstairs just before lunch I catch her attention. She doesn't offer me a smile or she doesn't start a conversation, she just wraps herself up in her long cardigan and then avoids my gaze.

"Hey," I say as she approaches the kitchen counter. "I was thinking that maybe we could go for a run today. Just me and you, have some time to ourselves. I'm sure it's probably been a while since you last went for a run."

Her bright blue eyes look startled for a second but she clears her throat. "I don't know." Her head begins to shake.

I tilt my head and step closer. "It might do you some good to get out and get fresh air," I comment. "I know that my wolf needs a run, badly."

Lily's mouth swishes once and she folds her arms into her chest slowly. "Just us?"

"Just us."

"Okay," she says after a few moments. "For a little bit."

My hands hold up in defence. "For however long you want to."

Lily purses her lips and nods, saying nothing more so I beckon my head to the back of the house and she follows. "Let's go," I say as I walk down the back steps and out into our large garden.

We reach the trees and I walk slow enough that Lily can keep up and I'm not walking ahead. She keeps her head low but I'm sure that this will help her come out of her shell, even if it's just a little bit.

Show her that she can have freedom, that she can do what she wants, when she wants because she is not my prisoner. I will not force her to be here. Hopefully that will prove how sincere and honest I am, our relationship will never work if it's based on lies and false hopes.

As we weave through the tall trees I stop and begin to take off my clothes, Lily turns her head away immediately and moves behind a large rock. I look away because I would never want to disrespect her privacy.

That needs to come with time because I want her consent. I'd hate to make her feel uncomfortable when I'm trying to do something to help her open up.

Once my clothes are off I shift my body into my wolf, my bones crack in my ear and my mouth snaps out an aggressive grunt. Shifting doesn't hurt but it never feels less strange than the first time, the feeling of your body bending in demonic ways has a hold over you.

But once I'm standing on my four paws, glancing down at my blonde fur I stretch out my back and pad my feet into the dirt. Raising my snout in the air and taking a deep breath.

Lily takes her time and I don't rush her, I wait patiently.

I walk up and down behind her boulder, just to let her know that I'm ready for our run. A small little nose pokes out behind the rock and slowly emerges her little grey and white wolf, the detailing on her fur something I've never seen before.

There are patterns and shapes, something that takes my breath away.

Hi. I say through the mindlink. Unable to take my eyes off her gorgeous wolf.

Her eyes shut and she breathes harshly through her snout. I frown in her direction. Are you okay?

Yes. She grunts before darting through the trees. Her voice has my fur standing on edge, cascading all down my back and sinking through my spine. For a moment I shudder at her dreamy voice inside my head, just one word and it has this effect on me.

I follow her, she's quick on her feet but I never overtake. I allow her to take the lead, to run wherever she wishes. Reminding her that she is her own person, that she is in control of her own life and she can do as she wants.

Lily doesn't slow, she keeps running and running and I had no idea she had so much mighty stamina.

Her feet slip every so often when she doesn't land her paws correctly and I wince, she's going to injure herself by not knowing how to use her legs properly for pushing off the floor and landing.

She does it again, her ankle rolling over a small rock.

Slow down. I warn her. You're going to hurt yourself.

But she doesn't, of course. She ignores me and powers through, pushing off the ground and not looking where she is landing her feet. I catch up behind her but this only makes her run faster, I can hear her heavy breathing from here.

Lily. Stop.

Her head shakes. Stop mindlinking me. Stop. Stop it!

My head races with confusion but I don't slow down. You're going to hurt yourself so slow down, please!

Just as the last words echo in my own mind I can see Lily's ankle twist against a piece of bark, her body tumbles to the ground and rolls through the dirt. I halt my feet through the ground and pause next to her.

Jesus. I hiss and bend down to look at her leg. Are you okay?

I'm fine. She snaps and stands back on her four feet, shaking off the dirt and residue of leaves from her fur. Just stop with the mindlink, please.

Her words are dripping with sadness and I can't help but furrow my brows and step closer. Why? Have I done something?

Just stop. She's pleading like it's hurting her.

Lily's wolf shudders and she puts pressure on her ankle, a small yelp falls from her mouth and I shake my head. Let's go back to the house and I can look at your ankle.

I bring her back to where our clothes are but she doesn't look at me, she hobbles on her feet and then keeps her eyes glued to the floor. Avoiding my sight at all costs. I want to ask what it is about mindlink but I don't want to push her.

When we get changed into our clothes and Lily emerges from the rock again, I glance down at her slightly swollen ankle. "Let's get that looked at," I tell her as I tug at the bottom of my t-shirt.

She shakes her head aggressively. "No, it's fine."

"It's not fine," I respond quickly. "Let me just look at it."

Lily's arms fold across her chest and we walk back up to the pack house, maybe the run wasn't as successful as I thought.

We walk into the kitchen and I hold the back door open for her, she limps to the stool and I pat the counter. "Sit here," I order. "And I'll take a look."

She looks up at me through her lashes, I can't tell if it's a frown or a look of disappointment but I choose to ignore it. Her hands press to the counter and she props herself on the edge as I drag a stool in front of her and perch.

I take her ankle in my hand and place it on my thigh, the connection of my skin on hers has electricity shooting down my veins. My chest inhales an extra breath and I'm sure I heard Lily's throat clench.

This is the first time I've touched her and I'm only touching her bloody ankle.

Every fibre in my body explodes and reconfigures as I roll her foot in my hand softly, trying to ignore how many sparks I can feel and the fact Lily is now breathing harder. Control yourself.

"How does that feel?" I force out of my mouth to try and ignore the static between us.

I glance up at Lily and her lips are parted, cheeks flushed with a tint of pink. "F-" she cuts herself off to swallow harshly. "Fine."

My mouth turns upside down and I continue to hold her ankle because I don't want to let go just yet. "Why didn't you want me to mindlink you?" I ask softly. "Is that why you were running away?"

Lily's jaw becomes tense and she looks towards the wall. When she shrugs I release a long breath, my grip on her ankle becoming looser.

"Please stop ignoring me," I plead and her distant eyes find mine. "I just want to understand what's going on in your mind."

Her eyes float down and I don't know if she's pondering an answer or if she's ignoring me on purpose. Most likely the latter as usual.

"Lily, I–"

"Because it feels good and I shouldn't get used to that feeling."

I'm instantly taken back by her response, at first I'm shocked and then my expression drops. "Why wouldn't you want to get used to it? It should make you feel safe, to know that you are wanted, here with me."

Her eyes whip back to mine with a new found anger or sadness but I cannot put my finger on it. "Because I can't get used to a feeling that can be so easily ripped from me." Her words are so raw and so honest that I want to know who the fuck hurt her. Who made her believe that she cannot have the good things in life.

"Lily," I murmur. "I don't know what happened to you before but you can talk to me about it. I want to be there for you, to support you. To understand why you're so closed off to me, why you won't give yourself a chance at life."

I'm sure I see her lip tremble but she bites down on it to stop the movement.

"I know someone has hurt you," I brush my thumb across the skin on her ankle and Lily gasps quietly. "And God, I fucking want to know who they are so I can make them pay for what they have done to you."

The thought of someone touching her, or manipulating her or making her feel less about herself. I want to rip their limbs off, tear out their eyes and shove them down their throats. She's so young and she's so damaged, the thought of her being mistreated or used sends me into a killing frenzy.

She's been homeless for three years, her parents kicked her out at a young age. So many things could have happened to her which has dampened her trust and I want to know so I can get my revenge, no one mistreats what is mine and gets away with it.

Lily's glassy eyes glance up into mine and she breathes irregularly. Like she's trying to grasp what the hell I've just said, if I meant it at all.

She wipes her eyes before the tears can fall and she pulls her ankle away from my grip, leaving my hands to feel like ice without her presence.

"You're probably disappointed."

My forehead aches from the sudden movement. "Not at all." I lean in closer and lower my tone to a delicate sound.

Lily runs a hand down her face and pushes back into the counter, letting her legs dangle in front of me. "I just can't believe your intentions," she mumbles so quietly that I barely hear it. "I can't believe that anyone would want to be nice to me, to give me the time of day."

"Okay," I nod and purse my lips. "You might not believe my intentions yet but you will. One day. On your own terms, you'll realise that I have been genuine and sincere with my feelings and emotions towards you from the start."

There is a glimmer in her eyes that I haven't seen before. She wasn't expecting me to say that, maybe she was expecting me to shout and demand things from her. I have no idea what she's gone through but I've promised myself that she will never go through anything like that again.

Not if I'm around. She will be safe, forever. Even if it kills me. I will keep her safe and protected until the day I die.

"Is your ankle really okay or do you need some ice?"

Lily bites on her lip and I have to look away because the sight is too much for me. "I think it's okay, I just twisted it." She places her hands in her lap and plays with the hem of her jumper. "Silly me."

My lips fall into a smile but she doesn't replicate it. "Let's check up on it in the morning and if it's hurting then we can get the doctor to check it out. Hmmm?"

"Okay, sure," she nods and then purses her lips. I can't fight my smile because maybe we're finally getting somewhere.

"Maybe next time we can go for a run but we can take our time," I suggest lightly and Lily takes a deep breath. "Did you enjoy going out?"

"Yeah," she nods but avoids my eyes again.

"Well we can go out whenever you want," I tell her honestly. "If your ankle is feeling better, we can go again tomorrow. Get you out of the house or just for a walk."

Lily doesn't say anything more but I'm sure I can see the corners of her lips flick up at my words, but with a blink of an eye the action is gone.

"I'm going to shower," she helps herself down from the counter in front of me and loops round the stool.

I twirl in the chair and nod. "Okay, well I'll be in my office if you need me."

Her head nods but she doesn't look back as she heads for the stairs.

I'm sitting alone for a few moments until someone claps a hand over my back. "Brother," Milo says loudly as he walks directly to the fridge. "How is everything?"

"Fine. You?"

He quirks a brow and swipes a hand through his hair, opening the fridge wide. "Fine?"

"Yes, that's what I said."

"Things with Lily are all fine?"

I roll my eyes. "Technically they're fine, we're getting somewhere. Slowly."

"Trouble in paradise? Hmmm?"

"Shhhhh," I hiss at him. "We don't need to talk about this here, Lily is upstairs."

"So yes... trouble?

"I'm going to throttle you."

"I'd rather you not, my throat is only available for Ross and Ross only."

My face scrunches up at his crude comment. "Who is Ross?"

"Ross," he repeats like I'm meant to know. "The guy from the committee, remember. Bradley Cooper."

I scoff and lean onto the counter. "That's still a thing?"

"Sure is," he drops his eye into a wink. "He sure knows what to do with his hands."

My throat almost releases a scream. "Shut up before my ears bleed, I don't need to know about your sex life with anyone. Especially not Bradley fucking Cooper."

Milo rolls his eyes at me and slams the fridge shut after pulling out a yogurt. "You're just jealous because you want a shag and you can't get one."

"Fuck off, Milo. Seriously."

He chuckles and steps closer. "Chill, I'm only joking. You need to relax."

"I'm trying," I huff out and tug at the stands of my hair. "Things with Lily have just been a little stressful but I'm trying to relax, I'm trying to be a good Alpha and mate."

Milo offers me a sympathetic smile. "Things will get better bro," he grabs a spoon from the drawer. "You're very persistent and you have golden retriever energy."

"Golden what?"

He waves me off. "Doesn't matter," he rips off the lid of the yogurt. "She will come around sooner or later, she's still here isn't she? She could have made a runner but she's still here, it's clear she's trying but she just needs more time."

"I know she does," I say as I watch him devour his food. "I just wish I could make everything better for her."

"Her life is already better if she's got you in it, Everett." Milo smiles at me.

"I think that is the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

We both laugh at the same time. "Don't get used to it."

"Trust me, I won't."

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Author's Note

Hello my loves. What did you guys think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Lily not wanting to hear Everett's mindlink hurts because all he wants is to comfort her🥹 And their little touch, awwww he cares so much and I adore him!

Who loves Milo because I absolutely cherish that boy hahah, he's one of a kind🤩

PLEASE don't forget to leave a vote. Takes one second and means the world!

Thanks for reading! See you all on the next one, love Savanna x

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