Shit! I’m sorry.
He stops me before I can pull away, curling his large head around my neck like he needs this as much as I do.Don’t leave.He licks me once on my neck.I shifted a couple of times before coming to you. I’ll be fine.
I ease closer, careful not to press too hard.I never would’ve hurt you, Rowen. I wouldn’t—
A soft whine escapes me, and he licks my face.
I know, hon. It’s okay. We’re okay. I promise.
Strange sounds come from me as I sob. How can something so small feel so many big emotions? I’m going to fall apart.
We stay like that for a while, the rain pattering around us. I can’t bring myself to move. Every time I close my eyes, I see flashes—Rip’s armscrushing Rowen from behind, Evan’s terrified face as I bite into someone, Jasmine’s horror as I lunge for her.
Rowen.
It feels like I’ve shattered everything I love. How will they ever forgive me?
I bury my face into his fur.You should go back to them. They need you.
I needed you more.
Something in me cracks. Rowen continues to lick me, cleansing me of the dirt and blood from the fight. Caring for me like a mate. It’s unfathomable that he’s even here after all I’ve done.
I’m not going anywhere, Toby. I promise.
He sends soothing waves through our bond, calming me. I nestle against him, my head buried under my tail. Between his warmth, the exhaustion of the day, and Rowen’s tenderness, I fall asleep within minutes.
41
TOBIAS
The next morning, the scent of something warm and earthy catches my attention. Rowen is still fast asleep, so I sneak away, following the scent until I find the small rabbit under a bush. It tries to hop away, but I kill it easily in a single pounce.
Pride fills me as I pick it up, and all I can think about is my mate. I rush back to him with my tail high, dropping the dead creature by his head. Rowen sits up, looking genuinely startled. Then, something like amusement flashes in his eyes.For me? You shouldn’t have.
Aren’t you happy? It’s the biggest rabbit in the forest. I caught it just for you.
His ear twitches.Eat with me.
My human side struggles with the concept of eating raw rabbit, but my animal side thinks it’s the best thing ever. My belly feels better within minutes, and the steady rumble in Rowen’s stomach subsides too.
He’s healing fast. I can feel his pain lessening by the hour through our link. I’m healing too. Faster than I thought possible.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand the magic of being a shifter, but honestly, I’m not as scared of it anymore. This body, as foreign as it is, isalso a part of me just like my hand is a part of me. I understand how to do things without knowing how.
It’s peaceful to be sitting on the wet earth with Rowen, our breaths syncing in the still forest around us. With his calm composure, I can almost believe things will be okay. But we haven’t really talked about what happened yet. And Rowen is quiet. Too quiet. Either from exhaustion or pain, or just being lost in his own head—trying to tell me how to leave, maybe?
He licks my ear.I can’t get over how cute you are.
I growl.I am not.
You so are. Look at your fluffy tail.
I nip him.
Rowen’s laughter echoes through our link, and he nudges me. A sudden burst of energy takes over me, and I dart out from our sleeping area, tail high and chest to the ground. Rowen yips playfully, tracing my movements. The fox in me delights in the chase. The man in me can’t stop laughing through it.
I nip him again, and Rowen barks.You’re ridiculous.
