Chapter 38
“I’m going to tell you a story.”
My explanation is ready. I prepared, this time, on the hike over. Clearing my throat with a sip of water, I stand up and move away from the large rocky ledge. Tiny bits of grass stick out along the cracks.
Stark’s eyes watch me. “A story?” He stays down on the gray rock, turning around to face me with his knees bent and arms loose around them.
“About me.” I pull in a breath and try to relax my limbs. “When I was fifteen, my entire world changed.”
“Your mom?” His eyes soften.
“No, that was later. Please . . .” I lift my finger to my lips, and his face lines with questions.
“My entire world changed, and along with it came rules—no going to school and no hanging out with friends. I got angry for a while, and usually I’d lash out at my mom.
After a year or so, I adjusted, and learned to live through books or running.
She felt guilty for hiding me from the pack, so occasionally, she’d let me test my magic.
I’d leap off cliffs, climb trees, throw myself into rapids, and go to the city for a form of socialization.
Later, my mom got sick, leaving Pratt in charge, and I love .
. . loved my brother, although his rules were more intense.
When they shot him, there was no one left who knew me. ”
I take another few steps from him.
“Living at your house became a new type of prison. At home, even if I was alone, I could be myself. I thought one day I could be myself with everyone despite what Pratt and Mom said . . . until that day in the Elders Chambers. They were right. Some things need to be secrets forever.”
I put my arms out and stretch them, letting the heat crawl through me.
“You said I didn’t trust you, and it’s not so simple. I trust you in all the normal ways, but I needed to trust you in this way too.”
“You can.” Stark stands.
I put my hands up to get him to stop. “I needed to know you wouldn’t hurt me, the real me.” I close my eyes. Try not to freak out, and don’t, um, attack me.
I let go and turn into my werewolf self. Ruby fur rims my eyes.
Stark’s blue eyes glow as he turns too. Red.
Yes?
You’re the red wolf.
I thought you’d figured it out. My thoughts are a whisper.
I did, and then I questioned it each time. I read all those books and that diary you keep rereading. When I saw your hair the other night, I didn’t know what to do. They want to kill you.
He steps closer and starts to circle me. Even if I’m big, he’s at least half a foot taller, and he’s much thicker, even under the black fur.
Do you want to hurt me?
He stops and comes around beside me, then rubs his head into my neck. Switch back.
This might have been a mistake.
I drop onto my two feet, and he does the same. He grabs me, and I flinch.
“You said you trust me.” He pulls me in and hugs his arms around me. “I wish you’d told me earlier, maybe before you went and ripped apart a few dozen humans, revealing yourself to the pack. But even so, you’re mine, mate.”
“You’re not worried about me being a risk or killing all those people?” I choke.
“I could take you.” He lifts me up, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
I kiss his neck. “I don’t know about that.”
“The girl I know loves to heal. What created the red-wolfed monster everyone thinks you are?”
“They shot you. Everything after that is a bit foggy.”
He grins. “No more mysterious red wolf saving the day. They can look for you forever, and they’ll always look in the wrong place.” I shrug in his arms, and he rolls his eyes. “Give me a warning, at least.”
“Okay, I will try.”
“Now, want to race?”
“Race?” I say, surprised.
“Everyone claims you were running so fast you were a blur. I have to see it.”
“Are you sure?” My cheeks lift with my huge smile.
“Yes, let’s go find somewhere.”
I turn, and Stark does too. We line up at the edge of a field. I let the fire flood harder.
I can feel you doing that. Using magic seems like cheating.
Minor details. Ready? My teeth show as I grin and dig my claws into the ground.
Stark bends lower and raises his one leg. Three, two, one.
I pick a spot across the trees and let my body take me there without a thought. I slam on the brakes when I get close.
I look behind me and Stark doesn’t slow down. He ducks his head and takes me to the ground, then we’re rolling together, and we take out a handful of trees.
You can’t just take me out.
He pins me down to the ground, those huge arctic eyes glowing in the darkness of his coat.
You drive me crazy. I snap my teeth at him.
You’re already crazy. I don’t have to drive you nowhere.
I lift my paw up, claws retracted, and whack his face.
Red.
He growls, and I start to cackle.
After a few more of Stark’s failed speed tests, we lay at the edge of the field. I curl into a ball, and he stalks up behind me, tucking our heads into each other and wrapping his tail around the end of mine.
I sigh into his scent. Can we just stay like this?
We can do anything you want.
I nudge his dark face and close my eyes. I still have him.
One question.
What’s that? I quirk my ears at him.
Why have you never eaten the steak I cooked?
Overcooked, you mean. I like it bloody. That might change now. It’s a legendary wolf thing, according to books. That’s your big question?
Yes. His snout brushes mine.
I love you, I send.
I love you, too, Red.
And the best part is, he loves the real me.