Chapter 19
Nineteen
Knox
“ H ey, boy!” she says, bending down and patting my head. "Were you here last night? I don't remember seeing you."
I whine in response, wishing I could shift here and now and tell her everything. She’s looking a little worse for wear today, but she’s still stunningly beautiful in my eyes. Nothing could make her look any less perfect to me, not even being exceptionally hungover.
“Come on,” she says, and I almost lose my shit with how excited I am. Bailey’s never invited me into her place while in wolf form. Well, technically she’s never invited me into her place whatsoever. But she needed me last night. And I’m not a vampire; I don’t have to wait until I’m invited to enter a home. I couldn’t leave her asleep on the couch with her neck kinked the way it was. She would have been in even worse shape today if I had.
Putting her to bed and caring for her was the proper thing and what any loving mate would do.
I follow her inside. She shuts the door behind us and heads to the couch, flopping down. I sit on the floor and stare at her, silently begging to join .
"Oh, come on," she says, patting the couch beside her. "Get up here."
She needn’t ask me twice as I fly onto the couch and settle in beside her. I rest my head in her lap, sighing contentedly.
“That’s so funny,” she says, “I don’t remember putting my stuff away when I got home. I don’t remember … Well, I don’t remember much of anything, really. Did you see me come home, Wolfie? Did I put all my stuff away? Geez, drunk me must have her shit more together than regular me. That’s sad.”
I whine but don’t move. She’s scratching the spot behind my ear that I love. It’s the only good part about being in wolf form around here. I can tell she’s an animal lover, and I’ll take her care and affection any way I can, even if I’d rather it be in my human form.
“Wanna watch some TV?” she asks, leaning in for the remote and flicking the television on.
I lay there as she scratches me, my mind constantly wandering back to the thought of the way she felt in my arms. Dancing with her at the wedding was magical, but what happened in the storage closet … Fuuuck.
I decide to tell her the truth and show her who I am. We’re never going to be able to truly be together if I don’t show her both sides of me, including the fact that I’m a shifter.
I don’t know how many hours pass with the two of us curled up on the couch, but I must have dozed off because I open my eyes and realize it’s grown dark outside. Bailey stretches and yawns, sitting more upright and patting my back.
“You want to come sleep in my bed with me?” she asks, and now I’m even more sad I’m not in human form.
I whine happily, jumping to follow her as she turns the TV off and heads to her room. I jump up on the bed and stretch out beside her, happy when she throws one of her arms over me. As we lay there and I hear her falling asleep, her rhythmic breaths slowing, I decide tomorrow will be the day.
Tomorrow, I will show Bailey who I am.
I’m buzzing in anticipation as I hear her car pulling down the gravel road. Bailey returned to work this morning, but little does she know this is no typical Monday. I’ve been waiting all day for her to come home so I can show her the truth, and the time is just about here.
She flies out of her car and slams the door, eyes filled with tears. She shakily unlocks the door, not even bothering to say hi. When she opens it, she heads inside but leaves the patio doors wide open.
I follow her cautiously, not wanting to upset her further. I find her facedown on her bed, head stuffed into a pillow as she cries inconsolably. I jump up on the bed, nuzzling my nose into her hair.
“My job sucks, Wolfie!” she cries, words muffled by the pillow. “My boss is such a prick. He threatened to fire me for honoring a coupon that expired yesterday. Yesterday , Wolfie! Who fires someone for that? Besides, the lady was 80-something years old. She didn’t even know the coupon expired!”
She rolls over, tears streaming down her cheeks from puffy eyes. I stretch out beside her, setting my face beside hers as she continues to vent.
“I don’t want to work at the grocer anymore. It sucks! I wanna be a writer.”
My ears perk up at the confession. I’ve seen her sitting on her laptop and typing, but I always assumed she was on social media or chat forums. I didn’t realize she might be writing with a purpose.
But I think it’s fantastic.
She strokes my fur, the tears on her cheeks drying as we silently lay there. I decide tonight isn’t the best time to show her my transformation. She’s isn’t in the best headspace. I’ll have to pick another night to show her my proper form.
“Thanks for listening to me, Wolfie.” I lick her cheek, and she giggles. Her skin is salty and sweet. “I don’t know why you decided to show up here one day and never leave … but I’m glad you did. I’ve been a lot less lonely with you around.”
She rolls onto her side and drapes an arm over me. It isn’t long before her breathing slows, and I can tell she’s fallen asleep. I decide to stay with her tonight. She could use comfort, and I could use her presence.
I drift off to sleep, ignoring the anxious bit of my brain begging to sleep beside her in my human form.
For now, showing her that side again will have to wait.