Page 8 of Saving Nevin
Wagging his tail, he trotted over and nudged up against my side. He towered over me, though that wasn’t a very big feat. I was small, even in wolf-form. I turned to look at him. At us. His gray fur was dark against my arctic white.
I dipped my head to submit to the Alpha—a trait that had been engrained into me since I was a pup—but Kace simply nudged his muzzle beneath my chin to lift it back up.
Then he jerked his nose towards the woods, barked, and took off between the trees. The sadness that had clung to me only minutes ago lifted, my heart suddenly light as a feather. I hobbled after him as quickly as I could. My tail wagged the entire time.
We pranced and danced through the amber hues of sunset. Kace nipped at my flank and sprang away, then dropped down into a play-bow. His forelegs and chest were flush with the ground as his rump lifted high in the air. Playful. Hopeful. His hazel eyes glittered with happiness.
Never in my life had I met an Alpha like him, so unburdened by his status. He wasn’t here to knock me down or dominate me. He wasn’t here to make my life a living hell, just for being born an Omega.
In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say his attitude was carefree and a little flirty. It made my heart race and ache at the same time, because damn it… For some dumb reason, my wolfyearnedfor Kace’s acceptance, his attention, his affection. It made absolutely no sense, because I’d never had any reason to trust an Alpha before, especially not one I’d just met, but Kace was different, somehow.
We collapsed into bed together, in a puppy pile, both of us still panting. Kace’s tailthump-thump-thumpedagainst the mattress. I nudged his cheek, only for him to lick my muzzle, from the velvet of my nose to the dip between my eyes. My heart swelled to the point of bursting, but not with sorrow.
For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I felt truly happy and I owed it all to Kace Howell. Even if he would never be mine, my life had taken a turn for the better and I would do everything I could to make it up to him.
8
KACE
With each day that passed,the Omega grew stronger. His appetite returned with a vengeance and, as he settled into our routine, his personality really started to shine through. He was quietly inquisitive, but bashful. Sweet and soft, but not without a little spunk.
I desperately wanted to see the man beneath the fur. I had no doubts that he would be just as gorgeous as his white wolf. I couldn’t wait to finally meet him.
After our morning romp through the woods, I bumped my shoulder into his with a soft bark. His ears perked up, his ice blue eyes glistening in the hazy morning sunlight. Dew clung to our fur and dampened our paws. I nuzzled his cheek, then took off at a lope towards the house.
He yipped and limped after me, his cast thunking over the forest floor. He’d been using that leg more and more, which told me that it was probably healed enough that he could shift back. Nerves danced a jig in my stomach, a perfect blend of excitement and anxiety.
Soon.
I dove through the doggy door I’d installed on the back porch, leaving muddy paw prints in my wake, then shifted back to man. Moments later, a whimper at the door told me that my Omega was waiting on me. I swung it open wide to find him gazing up at me, a hopeful expression on his face. His tail wagged so hard it banged off the doorframe when he trotted inside. I closed the door behind him and flipped the deadbolt, then bent to greet him.
“You’re getting along much better now,” I said, patting his shoulder. “I think maybe this calls for a trip to the clinic, so Mom can check you over. What do you think, honey?” I ruffled his ears. He whined softly. I smiled down at him. “Maybe we should eat breakfast first, hmm? How do omelets sound? Pretty sure I still have some leftover toppings from pizza night.”
I meandered into the kitchen and, just like always, my little shadow followed me.
I made fluffy omelets with cheddar cheese and a variety of peppers and sausage crumbles, but by the time we sat down, I was almost too nervous to eat. The Omega must’ve been, too, because he only finished half his plate.
He rested his chin atop my knee and closed his eyes. I transferred my fork to my left hand and stroked his head with the right. He whistled a whine out through his nose.
“It’ll be okay,” I told him. “Promise. Mom won’t bite.”
He heaved a sigh and I wondered if he could sense my anxiety. By the time we walked out to my truck, I was practically vibrating with nerves. My skin prickled and, inside my head, my own wolf let out a grumbling growl. Impatient. Restless.
I helped my ward into the front seat, and we were off.
Mom ran her veterinary clinic out of her home. That way, she was never too far from work in case there was an emergency, whether it be a client or someone in the pack. It had come in handy more than once. I didn’t like to think about what my Omega’s chances would’ve been if Mom worked in town.
I pulled around to the back of the building, so that none of Mom’s usual clients would freak out when I waltzed inside with a “wild” wolf at my side. I smiled at the thought, then reached over and patted the loner’s neck. He looked at me worriedly and licked his lips.
“Here we are. C’mon, honey. Let’s go get you checked out.”
Thankfully, Mom was between clients when we walked in. She was wiping down the exam room with antibacterial wipes. They made everything smell like radioactive lemons. I wrinkled my nose. She glanced between me and the Omega, who pressed himself up against my leg with a whine.
She frowned. “Kace? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, we’re good. I was wondering if you’d take a look,” I explained. “I think maybe we can take the cast off now. He’s been using that leg more and more, and he doesn’t seem to be in any pain. Isn’t that right, honey?” My wolf just whimpered and ducked his head.
“You got lucky,” she drawled. “I actually don’t have anyone else scheduled until ten. Bring him up here and we’ll do a little check-up.” She patted the edge of the exam table. I wrapped my arms around the wolf’s barrel and lifted him up, gently placing him on the cold metal surface.
