Page 13 of Rogue If You Want To
He didn’t a minute ago and we’d been trying for ages.
As if he could read my thoughts, Auden told me thatIhad been trying to reach the otter. “There’s a difference.”
“You have to let go and give your wolf the power to do what he must.” That was Larkin chiming in.
Trust. I had to trust my beast and his instincts.Are you ready for this?
Yes. We have to do this for our mate.
Here goes. I closed my eyes and allowed my wolf to take his fur. I’d never get over the thrill of shifting, but today that emotion was tempered by worry about my mate’s injuries.
I can’t feel him, but I sense he’s squirreled away, deep inside our mate.
Despite my fears, I smiled at his reference to squirrels.
Closing my eyes, I handed my energy to my beast as he used his mind to find the otter. That smell I’d picked up yesterday, of sodden dead leaves floating in water, reared up, washing over us. It was invisible, but my wolf pounced on it and yanked it as if he was pulling a thread from an old sweater.
He’s there but curled up with his eyes closed.
He’s scared because he’s been through a lot. Also, he hadn’t been able to save Otto from the attack.
It’s safe to come out now. I’ll protect you with my life.
I was impressed with my wolf. I’d never seen him in this role.
Your human needs you, more than he ever has. Please show yourself.
Still nothing, but my beast told me to be patient. Wow! I was really being schooled today.
My wolf sent an outpouring of love toward our mate’s beast. Again we waited, and suddenly there was a fluttering.
What was that? Was it the otter’s heart?
Shush.
I had to remember to stop asking questions.
I’m Otto’s mate’s beast. This is a safe space. If you talk to me, we can help Otto.
Hello. It was a tiny squeaky voice which didn’t sound like an otter, but I’d only heard cartoon otters, so what did I know?
I rumbled with excitement inside my beast until I remembered I was supposed to be still.
I’m s-scared. His trembling voice needed a hug.
I know, but you’re safe now.
I can’t. The bad people might be there. The poor thing had suffered as much trauma as his human. A piece of my heart chipped off at how vulnerable he was.
We have a pack now. They will protect you and us.
We don’t have a pack.
You do now. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure we were part of the pack but didn’t contradict my wolf.
Oh. And Otto needs me?
Yes. A shift will heal his wounds.
