(Aiden's POV)

I had to move quickly before I lost him. Jayden was running off into the woods while I chased after him in my wolf form. Hunter and Dylan yelled after me, trying to stop me but I couldn't stop. My mate was off on his own and was possibly still injured. I had no time to waste.

Do you know what you're doing? We don't even know where he is at. Dylan asked from beside me.

I have to find him Dylan, I can't let him go thinking this was his fault. I answered, running faster into the woods. I was starting to lose his scent.

We're with you, Aiden. Don't worry, we'll find him. Hunter promised.

(Jayden's POV)

I ran as fast as I could. I kept running even when my lungs were burning and screaming for me to stop. I ran as far as my body would allow me until I heard footsteps off into the distance. I grabbed a bunch of leaves and dirt, rubbing them all over myself to mask my scent so all h would smell is the natural forest air.

I then climbed a tree and quietly waited until they passed me. Not long after, three wolves stopped below the tree I was in, looking at each other as if they were having a conversation. I watched them as they ran in all different directions, looking for me. My eyes started to water as I watched the larger wolf run in the opposite direction, away from where i was hiding.

A little bit of time had passed by and I was sure they were gone. I carefully climbed down the tree, scraping my feet and fingers on the rough bark on the way.

I looked around at the barely lit forest with the sunset falling beneath the tops of the trees, slathering myself with more mud and leaves, whatever I could get my hands.

~

It felt like hours had gone by as I trudged through the forest. The sun had already set and I think I've fallen over at least 15 times. My knees and elbows were scraped and bruised, I had cuts on my arms from the harsh bites of the tree branches.

I felt dizzy and wished I would have eaten more food before I left the hospital. I felt really sick to my stomach and incredibly dizzy.

I leaned against a random tree, trying my best to stay upright but the darkness was persistent and decided to take all of my vision.

I saw a large figure in the distance but my vision was too impaired to see anything.

(Dylan's POV)

I was running in wolf form, trying my best to follow Jayden's scent. Fear struck through me as I started to smell blood, Jayden's blood. I followed the new scent, running as fast as I could in order to find him.

I was soaring through the forest, going impossible speeds for how big a wolf was. His scent was getting stronger so I stayed in the direction I was going. The blur of white that flashed past my eyes was so small, I almost missed it.

I skidded to a stop and trotted over to where I saw the white.

There, lying beneath a bush, was a small bundle of white fur. There was red splotches in it's fur both nothing too serious that wouldn't heal over time.

I found him! Guys I found him! I cried, nuzzling the poor bunny with my nose. His little ear twitched a little bit but that was the most reaction I got out of him. I could hear his heartbeat, that was a good sign at least.

The pack I and were now all together and were taking Jayden back to the hospital.

"Thank god he doesn't seem to be too hurt." Aiden said with relief, holding Jayden in his arms.

Hunter came over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and giving me a sweet kiss.

"Good job." He said as he ruffled my hair.

~

(Aiden's POV)

I was back at the hospital holding Jayden who was still in his bunny form as the doctor from before tended to the wound on my back.

I rubbed his little head with my thumb as he slept soundly. He was so small, I could fit him in one hand if I really wanted to.

"Alright Aiden, you should be okay just make sure to not overexert yourself. Okay?" The doctor asked as he was heading out of the room. I just nodded at him and carefully pulled my shirt back on.

I carried Jayden over to the sink in the bathroom. Since he was so small, I might as well wash him since he's covered in dirt and dried blood. It would be easier to treat his wounds too when he was clean.

I turned the water to a warm temperature, making sure it wasn't too hot so it wouldn't burn him. The water turned brown as I rinsed off his little paws, his nose twitching when the water accidentally hit his whiskers.

As I was drying off his stomach, he suddenly jolted awake. He started to panic and looked around the room frantically.

"Hey, hey it's okay Jayden. Don't worry, you're safe." I assured him as I started stroking his ears, watching as his body relaxed and he calmed down.

With a puff of smoke, he turned back to normal, his clothes tattered and covered in dirt.

"I'm sorry." He said, shifting his gaze down as he wrung his wrists.

"Jayden, you don't have to apologize. It wasn't your fault and I don't blame you for anything. I understand you weren't in control."

"Yes, but it was still me. I was still aware of everything that I was doing, I just couldn't stop it." He said holding out his trembling hands and looking at them hatefully.

"Jayden, I'm not having this discussion with you. You didn't want to hurt me right?"

"No..."

"And you wanted to stop right?"

"Yes."

"Then that's all I need to know. End of conversation. Now let's get those wounds treated." I said calmly as I held his cheek. He stared into my eyes, seeing my sincerity and truth in my words.

"Okay..." He mumbled after a couple seconds.

As I was going to call the doctor, I could feel his eyes on me like he had something to say to me.

"What is it?" I asked, smiling. He puffed out his bottom lip and rested his chin on his hands that were holding the rim of the tub.

"I wanna take a bath." He said. I nodded, though I was still confused.

"W-with you..." He mumbled.

My heart almost stopped beating in my chest.

I never would have thought that I would hear those words come out of his mouth.

"Um, okay." I said after a moment, still stunned that he wanted to do this.

We headed to the bathroom, filling up the tub with warm water.

I stripped my clothes off as Jayden stood behind me, doing the same.

"Like what you see?" I asked with a smirk. He blushed and looked away as if I hadn't caught him.

"T-turn around." He stuttered, a blush still on his face.

I chuckled but obeyed, covering my eyes with my hands.

A second later, I heard splashing in the tub and him give the OK to move my hands.

He was curled up in a ball, covering everything with either his legs or his hands so I could only use my imagination.

"You don't have to cover yourself up, I'll see you naked sooner or later. We are mates after all." I told him with a smirk.

He blushed harder and shook his head, curling up into himself more.

I laughed at the uncomfortable expression he had on his face before beginning to wash myself, pretending I wasn't affecting him.

~

"Hey Aiden?" Jayden asked me as I pulled up to his house to drop him off.

"Yes Jayden?"

"Would you like to come in for a little bit? The nurse you sent over from the hospital called me earlier and told me my mom was doing okay and that she was asleep by 8:00." He asked. I could tell that he wanted to spend more time with me. I couldn't blame him, I was feeling the same way.

"Sure, I'd love to." I said, smiling at him.

With that said, we both headed inside.