Page 38 of Court of Aether and Shadows

The Wolf Dilemma

~LIAM~

“There we go.”

I helped Sparrow settle onto a fallen log, my hands lingering on her shoulders longer than strictly necessary. She was still trembling slightly, her eyes wide and unfocused.

The scent of her fear and confusion hung heavy in the air, setting my wolf on edge. It had been a while since I experienced these unnerving emotions from Sparrow.

Years actually.

She’d come so into herself as a woman, moving through life’s hills and valleys so effortlessly, I dare forget when she ever felt a shrivel of fear.

It wasn’t until she got shot a few weeks ago that I felt the vivid spirals of emotional turmoil taint the atmosphere with its polluted scent. I knew many creatures enjoyed the scent of fear.

Some got a high out of it.

I — and my wolf — despised the scent.

Guess I could see why my fellow pack mates enjoyed mocking me for being the most humanistic wolf on the block.

That the “human” I’ve been guarding all my life is rubbing off on me to the point I’m becoming a soft piece of shit.

Would it be bad to admit they may be right?

They don’t grasp my role in this world. My duty and how it intertwines with this so-called “human” they thought I was wasting my life on because I loved her.

Okay…they weren’t completely wrong there, but I didn’t deem this as a waste of my lifespan.

I’d do it for all eternity if it meant remaining at her side.

Romantic.

A shame, Sparrow has no fucking clue.

"It's okay," I murmured, crouching down in front of her. "You're safe now. Just take a deep breath and tell me what happened."

She’s as pale as a ghost and her exhaustion after that madness is obvious. I hate seeing her in this state, but I need to do something to at least calm her down.

To maybe make her understand what she possibly just experienced.

If she can wrap her mundane mind around the various laws of physics she just broke enjoying a ‘casual run in the forest’.

"I don't even know where to start, Liam," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everything's so confusing. I was just running, enjoying the trail, and then... it was like I stepped into another world."

My poor Omega…

She doesn’t understand it.Understand this.I can’t blame her for not being able to comprehend what was stripped from her. Her reaction is valid, but I want to show some sort of support.

Even if I have to act like a naive fool.

"Why don’t we talk it out?” I suggest.

“You’ll think I’m insane,” she whines, looking defeated.

“If that was the case, I doubt we’d still be best friends after all these years,” I note the obvious. “Talk to me, Sparrow. Even if it sounds absolutely insane, know I won’t judge you. I’ve proven that, yes?”

“Well…” she pauses and stares into my eyes. “I guess you’re right,” she mutters in defeat. “Except for that time I got wasted and puked on that billionaire that tried to send his whole damn mafia army after us.”

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