"Tell him what?"
"That the wolves in Rutchester aren't normal wolves."
I hum, but I have no idea how to tell him.
"He texted you because he was worried."
I nod.
"I thought it was a good thing, but maybe his reaction is...not logical, but explainable."
"How do you mean?"
"I believed him worrying about you was a good thing, but I think it tipped over into fear.I made him think we'd be gone for two days.On the evening of the second day, he started to worry."
I nod again.
"He was already worked up, right?Ira was most likely asleep already, and maybe he, too, has been waiting for us all day.He was excited, so he might have been looking forward to us coming home.So Ira is wondering where we are, along with his worry about you not arriving when I said we would, and then you argue about wolves."
I wince.It was stupid to argue about wolves.
"He realizes both Ira and he will be devastated if something were to happen to you, and you come across as irresponsible because you don't come home when you said you'd come home--"
"It's what I told you when--"
"I know.This is on me, and I'm sorry.But he might see it as you not keeping your word, and then you downplay the danger of wolves, something he fears after your little stunt back in June.You have to have noticed the way he tenses every time someone mentions wolves."
I groan.I don't know what else to do.
"So you have to tell him.You have to make him understand you're not in any danger, Ira isn't in any danger, and Simon never was in any danger back in June either."
"I don't think he can take any more revelations right now."
"I didn't mean you should wake him up and shift on his doorstep, but soon.It has to be soon."
I nod.I don't know how to tell him, but she's right.I can't continue to lie to my mate.
* * * *
Chapter 20
Simon
When my alarm goes off, I groan.I've slept like shit, and I don't want to face the day.I read Boris' text about coming home before I fell asleep, but it changes nothing.Does it?No, it doesn't.He chose to go camping with wolves.
I fling the cover off.Normally, I'd take a shower before I wake Ira, but now I pad into the kitchen instead to get the coffee maker going.I don't have a job to go to, so I don't need to shower right now.
When there is a tap on the window, I squeal.Boris is standing outside.He must be standing in the flowerbed to reach the glass.I huff at him.He nods in the direction of the door.Couldn't he have knocked on it like a normal person?
I walk to the hallway and unlock the door, a little puzzled at seeing Boris' bag resting on the doorstep.
"What are you doing here at this--"
He steps over the threshold and gathers me in his arms.The cool fabric of his jacket makes me realize I'm not wearing a shirt.I only put on sleep pants before going to bed last night.
"Boris."My protest is weak.
He nuzzles my throat, making goosebumps spread on my arms, which are now easy to see."I never meant to upset you.The whole trip was Zahrah's idea, and we were never in any danger.We know those wolves--"
