Chapter Thirty-Three

It has been one long arse day, but I still have things I need to do, however much I would rather stay here and sleep a few hours more I have prior arrangements that I need to stick to, the first being Adam. Extracting myself from the human and wolf pile I have seemed to have awakened up in I carefully untangle our limbs making sure to not wake any of them up in doing so, standing up I slide my phone out of my pocket to check the time, shit it's late. I'm going to be later than I have ever been before, what if he's already gone to bed or thought I've left him too.

Gathering up the food tubs I prepared earlier I quickly head off towards the cabins furthest away from the pack house with purpose in my stride, determined that he will be ok and there waiting for me. I don't have to worry for long though, soon as his cabin comes into view, I see his large frame sitting on the front porch steps looking up at the night sky. He still looks worse for wear but that is a given with what he has gone through.

"I'm sorry I'm late I accidentally fell asleep." His expressionless face finds mine and I smile down at him, handing him one of the containers, I plonk my bum down next to him then for good measure I nudge him with my shoulder in a way of greeting him not wanting to push to the hugging stage yet "missed you at the barbecue but thought we could enjoy the food now. Sorry it's not hot but it should still be delicious." Tucking into my food I pay him no attention; this is our regular routine after all; I bring food we eat, and I talk whilst he listens.

"Sure, is a nice night. Look you can see the Lupus clearly tonight" pointing up at the constellation before going into the story my parents used to tell me. The breeze picks up as I am telling the story and it slowly turns cold making me shiver.

"You're cold" Adam states his voice rough and raspy from lack of use, I feel him stiffen slightly beside me and out of the corner of my eye I can see how tense he has become, not wanting him to feel as though he has been caught up in a bear trap for talking, I pretend everything is normal rather than making a big deal out of him actually talking to me.

"Nah I'm okay" I immediately carry on talking so he doesn't feel like he has to carry on interacting with me "So I take it you and Aspen have been feeling-" he abruptly stands making me jump and I can only stare after him as he stomps into his cabin leaving the door wide open, ok then that was strange, not wanting to push it I remain seated staring up at the night sky just like Adam was doing moments ago.

I feel his presence as he returns not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable, I don't move, the soft fabric of a blanket gets laid across my shoulders before he sits his big frame back down beside me. "Thanks" I wrap it around me tighter enjoying the warmth it gives me. "Do you ever run with Aspen anymore? I wish I could run with someone. I haven't had a proper run in like forever" I wistfully ramble at him, still not expecting him to reply, I don't want him to feel any pressure.

"Aspen hasn't talked to me since our mate died. I think he has left me I don't feel him no more."

"He hasn't left you he wouldn't do that. He is just weak at the moment. I think he feels like he has no purpose anymore. Do you feel like that too?"

"How do you know my wolf's name Jenni?" Well shit damn, very good question Adam and one I cannot really tell you; how on earth can I tell you the one secret I have hidden for years, the one that not many know, everyone believed that Jet was the heir to the kingdom so he might not even believe me if I did tell him. No fuck it, you know what he needs this, him and Aspen. With my one-sided pep talk over with in my head I mind link my wolf.

'Val?'

'Hell yes. Let's do this' she cheers as she struts in my head like a damn cheerleader, obviously she was paying attention to what I was thinking for once, would have been nice if she had joined in with my pep talk but oh well this is Val.

"Ok so I er…Wow this is harder than I thought it would be. You know what. It would be easier if I showed you. Can you please come with me?" He gives me a perplexed look but stands up next to me anyway going with it, linking my arm in his I start directing him to where I want him to go. We don't speak as we move our way through the forest to the neutral territory and it isn't uncomfortable which is a bonus as I am nervous as a bunny in front of a wolf. Spreading out my senses, I check to make sure no one is around or following, thankfully we make it to the clearing in the neutral territory without any altercations.

"Ok so I'm going to shift. Do you mind turning around?" he does as I ask, and I quickly strip "I do hope you will do me the honour in running with me" then I let the shift take me my bones cracking and shifting within seconds, shaking out our fur I let Val takeover letting my consciousness float to the back as hers floats forward. She strides up to Adam and presses her nose into the palm of his hand, his body stiffens slightly before relaxing again, he turns slowly around only to end up stumbling back in shock when he sees us.

"Oh fuck" he shouts then slaps his hands over his mouth "Shit sorry I didn't mean" I watch through Val's eyes as he yanks at his hair trying to get control of himself. Val just sits down patiently as she tilts her head to watch him, bemused at his reaction to us.

'Think we have freaked him out.'

'No kidding Val. We were meant to be helping him.'

'Let me try' I feel her release a calming wave out towards him and see him calming immediately.

"I am sorry princess. No, your Highness" he bows slightly unsure how to act around us.

Not wanting him to feel awkward I feel Val come up with a solution and before I can stop her Val is sending through a command for Adam to shift. Instead of waiting for Adam to do this though Aspen decides to take the reins springing forward to the front of Adam's mind and taking control to make them shift, his clothes rip to shreds as his bones snap and crack before realigning themselves until a light brown wolf stands before us.

'Hi Aspen. We are sorry for your loss' Val links him pressing her head against him.

'I'm not worthy- '

'Do not talk like that you are more worthy than you know, and we are honoured to share our secret with you. Will you run with me?'

'Of course, your majesty'

'It's just Val. Or Jenni. No need for formalities and thank you Aspen. Oh, and a bit of advice I know it hurts but talk to Adam, he is going through the same as you. You both need each other. Your mate would have never wanted you to isolate yourselves and would be hurt to know you are doing this. Plus, Jenni could really do with a friend.'

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Returning to my clothes I check that Aspen is facing the opposite way, but I have nothing to worry about, he is already keeping guard of us, shifting I quickly get dressed.

"I'm done. I don't think any of your clothes survived I'm afraid. I am sorry I didn't know Val would do that." He presses his head against my leg, and I scratch the top of his head. "Thank you for tonight it was nice to have company." Trotting beside me he nudges his body against my legs in comfort and I scratch behind his ears.

Trying to stifle a yawn I fail miserably it is only now that I realise how much the run has taken out of me, but I cannot let that deter me I still have things I need to do. Opening up his cabin door to let Aspen in I turn to get on with the tasks I have yet to do, as Aspen passes me into the cabin, I quickly leave him with a parting message "Night Adam, Aspen. Oh, and if you feel up to it why don't you come for breakfast. I'm making pastries and they taste better warm. You don't have to talk to anyone, and you can sit with me and my siblings so you will have company. Anyway, just think about it." I tell him "See you tomorrow night if not beforehand."

Making my way back into the forest towards the obstacle course I built I gather the rocking chair I finally finished last night and balance it on my left shoulder as I grab the bird table and bath I made in the other arm. It takes a little time to get to Ms Hendricks and a bit of manoeuvring around the trees, but I eventually arrive at her cabin and start organising her surprise. Being old she is unable to get out much anymore and I have seen her sitting on her porch watching everything going on and realised she has an interest in birds, hopefully with what I have created it will draw more birds for her to watch.

Rocking chair on the porch and everything placed I make my way back to the packhouse thinking of the online coursework I need to get on with when my body starts to feel lethargic, and I feel my body stumbling forward. Perhaps I should have taken a nap before sorting our Ms. Hendricks surprise out. Before the darkness takes me, I feel arms snap around me hoisting me up into the air and the steady beat of a heart sounds by my ear as I tumble into it.