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“I don’t want to be responsible for holding you back,” I whisper.
“Unless you are going to refuse me it doesn’t matter,” he says firmly. “I’ve made up my mind and nothing you do or say is going to change it. You’re my mate.”
Leaning my forehead against his chest I breathe him in. Pine trees and rain, my favorite scents. I want to stay snuggled against him forever but I know I can’t. Not yet.
If I can get my animal to return, if I can shift, I would feel better about taking Nico as my mate. At least then I wouldn’t feel as deficient as I do now. I have no idea how I am going to bring her out of the dark but I know it’s the most important thing I will ever do.
****
Nico
Emmaleigh pulls out of my hold and steps back. “I may never be the mate you need,” she says sadly, wiping a tear from her cheek. “But I want to try.”
“Honestly, that is more than what I expected.”
“Meaning?”
“I was terrified you would refuse me,” I explain. “I know from what Rose shared of her own ordeal that you have been through things no one will ever understand. My greatest fear is that you would be too afraid of men to ever accept me.”
“Men don’t scare me, close-minded people, human and shifter, scare me.”
I nod, understanding what she means. The Hunters have decided we are the enemy without taking the time to learn anything about us. They simply wish to eradicate us because we are different and because they don’t understand us. Because of that, innocent people are going to end up hurt on both sides of this war.
“Have you eaten?” I ask, trying to think of any possible way to keep her close.
“Peyton keeps bringing me mountains of food,” she says with a smile. “I never finish anything.”
Silence envelops us. I can’t tear my gaze from her as she stares into the forest.
“I wish I could run,” she says softly.
“What about a walk?” I ask. “Let’s give you and your wolf the time you both need to heal. Perhaps just being in the forest every day around nature will coax her out of hiding.”
I know it’s a shot in the dark and we should rather consult the pack elder, Xavia, but if this gives me the chance to spend some time with my mate, I will grab it with both hands.
Emmaleigh studies me for long moments and I worry that she will say no, that she might not feel comfortable being alone with me.
“I don’t think it will work but I would like to give it a try,” she says softly, looking shy for the first time today.
Holding out my hand, I wait patiently for my mate to place not just her hand in mine but her trust in me. Once she does, I walk us slowly around the house and through the compound.
The sun is setting and all around us family and friends gather to share a meal. Laughter comes from behind us as children play on the grass, kicking a ball and just enjoying their youth.
“Do you think Thomas looks at the other children and wishes he had a childhood like theirs?” Emmaleigh asks. “Do you think he resents them?”
“Honestly? I think you can’t miss what you never had,” I say. “I never knew that a pack could be like family before I came to the Katus. Now I couldn’t imagine anything different.”
“You didn’t grow up here?” she asks in surprise.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve only been here for a couple of years.
“So we are both living better lives now?” A serene smile crosses her lips and I barely hold back the urge to kiss her.
“So much better,” I say with a soft smile as I watch the sunlight bounce off her hair.
I lead us through the forest to the waterfall. I want her to see its beauty and just enjoy the peace around us. It may even calm her wolf and make her feel safe enough to make an appearance.
Chapter Seven
