Chapter 11

Checking the weather forecast for storms has become a regular part of my day now. I’m so used to it that hardly any weather event gets past me now. Storms aren’t common here though, so for a month Myles and I continue our relationship exactly as we have been: we try to meet up whenever we can, and Myles frequently stays the night. I’m still unable to fall asleep in human form while he’s in my bed, but shifting into my wolf form always seems to do the trick. It’s nice, falling asleep with him next to me - especially when Myles is also in wolf form, since he’s able to curl around me. My wolf loves it too; we both feel so safe and comfortable with out mate protecting us.

Relaxing on my sofa watching my favourite TV show and attempting to learn how to knit, I don’t notice the rain beating against my windows until a loud rumble cracks through the sky. I immediately drop my knitting and grab my phone, calling Myles. Standing up, I open my curtains to look at the dark sky. It’s only the afternoon but it’s dark enough to be early evening. And Myles still hasn’t picked up. 

After the third failed attempt to get through to him, I grab my raincoat and keys. I’m going to get soaked out there, but…I can’t leave Myles by himself when I know storms are a big trigger for him. If only I had a car…I’ve never been to the pack house before but I know it’s a decent distance away…I’d better go in my wolf form. I can carry my house keys in my mouth so at least I’ll be able to get back in afterwards, but I strip down and leave everything else in my house. Here’s to hoping that no one on the street opposite me looks out their window and sees a naked man locking his door and turning into a wolf…

It doesn’t matter. Myles is what matters now.

I run as fast as I can, the keys dangling in my mouth but I clamp my canines around the keyring so that they won’t accidentally fall out of my mouth. I know the vague direction I’m heading in, and then I’ll just have to hope that once I’m close enough, either my nose will lead me there or some wolves out on patrol will find me. I’d rather not get pounced on by some big, male wolf, but…I’m in my wolf form. It’s ok, I can deal with this.

As I expected, once I enter the pack’s lands it doesn’t take long for three wolves on patrol to find me. They growl menacingly and I know that I have to shift back if I want them to take me to Myles. Feeling exposed and vulnerable, I shift into my human form, gripping my keys in my hand.

“I’m Beta Myles’ mate. Please take me to him,” I say with as much courage as I can. I don’t want to look weak in front of them if I can avoid it. One of the wolves shifts also and smiles at me kindly. 

“It’s nice to finally meet you! My name is Hibbi. Myles has mentioned you,” they say gently, leading me out of the woods. It’s still raining hard, but once Myles is alright I can dry off and it’ll be fine. One of the two wolves growls again and snaps at my calves, his breath hot against my legs. I freeze up and instantly shove my wolf to the front, forcing a shift. My wolf doesn’t even try to stand up for us though, and instead just whines, tucking his tail between our legs. At least it wasn’t our thighs…the scars there…Hibbi turns around, frowning. 

“What’re you doing?” They glare at the wolf who was being a shit to me, and the other wolf pushes him out of the way, escorting me instead. I don’t like that other wolf…Hibbi walks by my side, an apologetic smile on their lips. 

“Sorry about that. Ignore the one being an ass; the one following you now is Rye, his mate.  They’re pretty protective over each other when other wolves are around,” Hibbi fills me in, and I instinctively move a little further away from the other wolves. A large clearing finally appears and out of the rain looms a giant house. Well, it’s more of a mansion than a house, I suppose. Hibbi walks us up and knocks on the large double doors incessantly until they finally open.

“Now I’m not too sure where Myles is currently so I’ll just deliver you Alpha Xabien and let him sort you out,” Hibbi explains, gratefully accepting the shirt and skirt from the person who opened the door to us. They quickly get dressed before instructing the other two wolves to go back out on patrol. We pass a few male wolves in the corridors and I instinctively shrink away from them, despite me being in wolf form. I just want to see my mate already. At least when the door to the Alpha’s study opens I see a familiar face in Xabien. I don’t know him all that well, but at least we’ve met before.

“Hibbi? Who’s this?” Xabien asks, standing from his desk and approaching me. I back up away from him until I hit the door, my wolf letting out a small whine. I really want to see Myles now…the feeling of breath on my bare legs earlier made me really, really uncomfortable.

“Said he’s Myles’ mate? He’s quite timid though, and quickly shifted back into a wolf,” Hibbi explains for me. Xabien immediately smiles in recognition and takes a step back from me, aware of my discomfort. 

“Caro! I’m sorry, I’ve not met you in wolf form before. I didn’t know you were coming - let me take you to Myles. He went to bed quite some time ago but I’m sure he’ll be excited to know you’re here.”

Myles is awake, I’m sure of it. I can feel his fear through the bond…I’m glad I came here. Myles needs me.

Xabien leads me through a few more corridors and up some stairs before knocking on a door. “Myles? Caro is here to see you,” he says through the door when there is no response. And then the door creaks open, the room completely dark. Xabien makes eye contact with me, a gentle smile on his lips. He must know what storms do to Myles. 

Pushing the door open with my snout, Myles’ arms immediately wrap around my neck as he buries his face in my wet fur. He clings to me, flinching as a clap of thunder crashes outside. Xabien pulls the door closed, leaving us alone. Shifting back into my human form, my skin is cold and soggy but at least I can hug Myles back this way. He instantly presses his face into my shoulder, scenting me shakily. Holding him tightly, I stroke his back over and over until finally the storm begins to ease up, the thunder disappearing and only the heavy rain remaining. Myles sags against me, breathing heavily as the tension flows out of his body. 

“You…you really came here,” he mumbles against my shoulder, his breath warm against my bare skin. But it’s so completely different to how revolted I felt earlier, when that wolf breathed on me. When it’s my mate…I don’t mind it at all.

“Of course I came. I promised I would,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to his temple. I would do anything for Myles. Anything to make him comfortable, to be here for him when he needs me.