I felt her stiffen next to me and she turned her head to look me in the face. “You would have no reason to fight in my form.”
I wrapped my arm around her. “It is always better to be prepared. What if you are running and are attacked? We won’t be able to stop and shift into Nix.” I ran my fingers through her fur. “It would make us vulnerable, and it would expose our secret.”
I watched as she thought through my words. “But not everyone knows about me.”
I raised my shoulder. “Toya and Wendy do. I’ll work out a day that Toya will run the training in wolf form, instead of me, and I will attend as you.” I bumped her shoulder. “Do you not want to?”
She shook her head, but her voice was low. “I want to.” She looked away. “I just thought you didn’t think I was important enough.”
Her words hurt me, but I obviously made her feel this way. “I am so sorry, Megan. I didn’t even think about it until you were both gone. I never should have neglected you.”
Her eyes widened, and I could see a slight bit of panic enter them. “You didn’t. That isn’t what I meant.”
“Don’t lie to us, little one.” Nix’s voice was soft, but she turned and started running through the trees. “We are all in this together. If you feel you need something, talk to us, and we will help you.”
So obviously she kept this from Nix as well. “You are both a part of me, Megan.” I got to my knees and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry we weren’t paying attention to your needs.”
“Me too.” Nix called to us, but then she skidded to a stop. “You.” Both Megan and I snapped our attention back outwards and froze. Nix’s snarl was vicious as she stared at the wolf in front of her. “You have some fucking nerve to show your face in front of me.”
The wolf, that looked black in the dark shadows of the trees, stepped out. His dark grey fur rippled as he came closer, dropping to his belly, and slowly shuffled closer to us, with his white blue eyes focused on Nix’s. “I have been looking for you.”
Nix snorted. “I stopped believing your words months ago. When I stopped looking for you.” She turned and went to run, but the male jumped in front of her. “Move.”
“Please listen to me.” He dropped back down and rolled onto his back, showing his belly to her. Both Megan and I stiffened.
“Males shouldn’t sow their bellies to females.” Nix’s voice was icy and dark. She was still unimpressed.
“Any male will if he knows he fucked up.” His dark voice made all of us shiver, but Nix turned to leave again. “Please.” His begging stopped Nix’s paw.
“Just say what you wanted to say, Erubus.” Her words were knives even I winced.
“Maybe you should hear him out.” Megan offered softly, but Nix snorted and turned.
“I was told to hear you out, and I will. Not because I feel you deserve the chance, but because my soul sister asked me to. Now speak.” Nix words cut him. I watched as he winced.
“I swear to you I haven’t neglected you.” Nix snorted again, but she stepped closer. “I swear I have been out here every week, looking for you for months. But you have been missing.”
I felt his words hit, and Nix softened a fraction. “I searched for you for months, and you never came.” Her words, uncertain. “I gave up.”
He dropped again and slowly approached on his belly. “I wasn’t able to get away for a little while. I didn’t know who I could trust. But I figured it out and I have been out here waiting for you.”
“How do I know you are telling the truth?” Nix cut in.
He stopped, as if to think, but shook his head. “I know my words mean nothing to you. But all I can do is prove it going forward.”
“And how do you expect to do that?” She scoffed.
“Every other day from four in the morning until sunrise, I am out here. I have been out here. That is my time to run. Join me?”
Nix snorted. “You already told me you ran Tuesdays and Fridays, yet every day I looked for you, there was no one. I’m tired of inconsistent males trying to impress me.” Nix turned away from him. “If you are looking for a fling, or someone to mess around with, I am not your wolf.”
“What?” His surprise sounded genuine.
Nix snarled at his tone. “I said what I said.” She bunched her muscles, and I knew she intended to leave.
“Wait.” There was something in his voice that made her pause. It wasn’t panic per se, but something like it.
“What now?” She was at her wit’s end. The male had played with her too much and she was over it.
