“I don’t want a fling or some wolf to mess around with. I want a mate.” His voice was clear, and there was almost a desperation for her to understand.
“Maybe think it over.” Megan offered, and I smiled.
“This is the wolf you have thought about daily for months. Maybe something came up, and he was away. It’s not like you know his human and he can let you know when there is an issue.” I waited to see how she would take it.
“Are you both on his side?” She sounded a little hurt.
“Not at all.” Megan shook her head.
“We are with you, Nix. But we also can see his side of things. Plus, you’re angry, and you have a right to be, but I don’t want you to hate yourself for shutting him out. You might move past the hurt and realize that you made a mistake. I don’t want you to be sad later for your anger today.” We waited for her decision.
She slowly turned back to Erubus. “My human has asked me to reconsider you.”
He jumped to his feet, and his ears perked up. “And?”
“I might give you a second chance. But I need to know, where have you been?”
There was a silence that settled in the clearing. “There have been more attacks,” he paused, and I saw a flash of guilt pass over his eyes. But it cleared, and he continued. “The king needed me at the forefront of the attacks.”
I felt Nix settle. If there was one thing she supported, it was saving weaker wolves. “You were protecting people?”
He gave a nod. “The king, he needs powerful wolves surrounding him that don’t have divided loyalties.” Nix threw back her head and laughed. Erubus stiffened. “What’s funny?”
Nix shook her head. “I was just laughing at what you said. Every king needs to be surrounded by loyal people, but this king needs it more.” She shook her head. “I know kings have to be careful, but somehow, this king seemed to surround himselfwith everyone that wants him to die.” I felt the change in Erubus before Nix did.
“Nix. Be careful. He didn’t like what you just said.” She turned to face the male, and she could see the shift in him finally.
“What did you say?”
Nix didn’t like his tone. But I cautioned her. “You called his king, our king, stupid to his face. And Rowan is doing the best he can.” I felt a little hurt by her words, too. He was put into this position. He didn’t make it himself.
Nix conceded. “I’m sorry if I said it wrong. I know someone the king is close to. She knows the situation he is now in.” Nix shook her head. “He is doing his best with the shitty hand he was dealt.” Her tone calmed down.“But what? You don’t agree with his methods?”
“Not at all,” she confessed. “I think he is trying to placate everyone when he doesn’t have to. And I know people are actively trying to kill him. But…”
“But this farce of the council forcing him to select a mate instead of waiting for his Goddess-given mate is ridiculous.” Nix called back to me. “He is hurting you, and I don’t like it.” Then she turned her attention back to Erubus. “He is hurting my friend.”
I watched Erubus recoil. “Who is your friend? And why is she hurting?”
But Nix was done. “I won’t speak on her behalf, because honestly, does your king deserve to know?” She shook her head. “I’ll give you one last chance. But if you disappear, if you disappoint me one more time. That’s it.” Nix stared at him. “I like you. As much as it pains me, I like you a lot. But I won’t allow any man or male to play with me or my feelings. Not now, not again. So I need you to think about this, Erubus.” She stepped closer to him, and she drew in a breath, trying to scent him. But still, there was nothing, and that aggravated her. “I need you tothink long and hard before you show up next, because if you do and then you mess around, or disappoint me yet again, that’s it.” She got closer to him. “I will never give you another chance. So think, long and hard, before you male your decision.” Then she took off.
Chapter Forty-Two
We ran for a while, and we all heard when Erubus started running after us, but Nix snorted. We were far enough away that Nix had a plan. She ran for a little while longer and then she dove into a bush. “Your turn Megan.”
“What?” Megan jolted up, but Nix was already running back to us and then she pushed Megan forward. “Nix, what are you doing?”
“It’s your turn to run. Now go.” Nix chuffed out a laugh as she pushed Megan to the front, almost forcing the shift from her form to Megan's. Then I watched as Nix ran to the candle and added another.
“What are you doing?” I walked over to her and watched as the second candle flared to life.
“Changing our scent.” She looked at me like I was dumb, and in that moment, I felt it.
“Why?”
“Because we can’t have the same scent, and I want to see how this male treats my soul sister.” Once the candles were strong, she turned back to Megan, who had just finished shifting. “Now, run and be free, Megan.”
Megan was frozen on the spot for a moment, but then the wind rustled through the bush and she took off. Wind ruffled her fur and, for only the second time in her life, she was free for longer than a second. Her thoughts, which she usually kept to herself, were rushing through all our minds. She was so carefree and open with us; it hurt my heart.
