My breathing grew haggard, my wolf wanting to release himself into his animal form.
“Easy man, she’s safe now. You can go after all the bastards that ever hurt her.” Locke patted my shoulder, but I turned away.
My wolf paced at Journey laying on the mattress alone. I sat down on the old mattress and pulled her into my arms, where she would always stay.
She was so small, so tiny, and she had gone through things no woman should have to go through.
“Possessive bastard, isn’t he?” Bones winked at me. I showed my fangs as he rolled his eyes.
“Right, I’ll get some blood for the tests. I’d like a full work-up on her when she’s feeling better. Most likely, she’s gone into shock, Grim. She’s been on her own, trying to protect herself for who knows how long, and now that you have come along and saved her, along with a bond pulling you to her, she knows she will be safe with you. She may not understand it, but I think it’s there. Especially since her body relaxed quickly, and she fell asleep in your arms.”
“You think so?” Locke looked hopeful. “Think that humans can feel it?”
“Why else would she have relaxed so easily when she was shaking in fear before he touched her? Is she skittish around others?”
“Yeah, she is,” Locke answered. “She wasn’t afraid to snap at Grim the other night when he threw her over his shoulder. No one snaps at Grim.”
Bones hummed, a smile playing on his lips.
“We may have hope, then. If Grim, a wolf that was due to go rabid any day, can do a hundred and eight degree change, then I’m sure we all have something to look forward to if time is on our side,” Bones sighed. “At least that is what we can hope.”
“Hope for all of us,” Locke said. He smiled.
I couldn’t help but reciprocate as I held Journey close to me, her face buried in my chest. My wolf purred contentedly as she grabbed my shirt again to hold me close.
Bones sniffed, coming closer to me. “What is that smell on you, Grim?” Lock coughed into his fist, and Bones backed away.
I growled a warning, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
“My nose isn’t what it used to be, but I swear I smell rutting root?” Bones cocked an eyebrow. “Locke!”
Locke puffed up his chest, prepared to go on the offensive, ready to take Bones out the door. Bones stood his ground, looking at me then back to Locke.
“Do you know the repercussions of using that shit? Especially without the advice of a doctor?”
Locke pulled a bag from his cut. “I did what I had to. He hasn’t rutted in years, and now he has a mate to take care of. He can’t let her know yet what he is. She’s fucking terrified. What else was I supposed to do when my second is fucking his hand in the other room while his mate has a panic attack?”
Bones sighed audibly, his hands gripping and releasing into fists. His eyebrows furrowed, slowly softening as he took in my hold of my mate. “It’s just that,” he groaned. “Your rut will be twice as bad the second go around, Grim. You won’t be able to keep your hands off her. No one will be able to go near her, and you very well might scare the shit out of her if your wolf takes over.”
Locke cleared his throat, uncomfortable at the new information.
“Grim, I didn’t know.” Locke shook his head. “I was just trying to help.”
I shook my head, running my fingers through Journey’s hair.
“She will know who I am next time it happens.” My lips touched her forehead. “I will make our den. There’s time to prepare her.”
“And what if she isn’t ready?” Bones asked worriedly. “You wouldn’t force her, would you?”
“Never,” I growled.
The deep vibrations in my chest rattled the floor. A whimper left Journey’s lips, and my wolf instantly stopped.
“I will keep her locked up in the apartment with me. I’ll do what I have to and make sure she is never afraid. Even if I have to lock myself in the bathroom to take care of it.”
“That would take an obscene amount of self-control, Grim,” Bones said.
“I’d do it, for her.”
