CHAPTER 19

Krey sniffed at Pip who sat by the base of a tree, trembling on the woodland floor. Krey wished to stay in his wolf form. He wanted to lie next to Pip and comfort him until he calmed down. Krey worried he might faint; Pip's skin had paled dramatically.

Krey was a huge wolf who terrified other humans to the point where they lost control of their bladder because of his snarling and barking. Pip must worry that Krey would turn on him any minute, and Krey didn't blame him. If he were a defenceless human with no knowledge of werewolves existing, he would have run for his life.

He wanted to tell Pip to trust him, but how could Krey ask for such a thing? Wolves didn't exist in England. To humans, Wolves didn't live in the United Kingdom. Krey shouldn't be in a small town in the north of England, roaming the woods and staring into little Pippor's blue eyes.

Red eyes lowered to the ground. As time went on, Pip was in more and more danger the longer Krey kept him a secret. Exposing his wolf form was a step closer to Pip knowing about who Krey really was, though Krey reminded himself that Pip needed to move at a slower pace.

Tears still streamed down Pip's face. His pace was as slow as a snail, and Krey had no choice but to tiptoe behind him, making sure not to step on him and crush his protective shell.

Krey started backing away. His heart broke when Pip looked relieved.

One day, Krey thought. One day he'll love me for who I am.

Krey tore his eyes away and sprinted down the path. Leaving Pip was like trying to run with paws pulling on elastic bands that hurt the further away he travelled.

He sniffed out Pip's yellow puffer Jacket and carried it in his mouth. His scent drove Krey wild as he ventured off the path to find a safe place to shift back.

When he was in his human form, Krey stood and stretched. A bone in his back cracked and he stretched his arms above his head. He picked Pip's coat back up and jogged in the direction he came, hoping Pip was still by the tree.

Pip was still where Krey left him, but now on his feet and holding his stomach as though he was about to be sick.

"Pip," Krey said, and the human leapt almost a foot in the hair. Pip spun, pinning his back to the bark.

He relaxed when he saw a familiar face. Pip was relieved to see Krey's human side and his wolf whined within, wanting the same acceptance.

"Are you okay?" Krey asked. His hand ached to dry Pip's wet cheeks. He gripped Pip's coat tightly to stop himself. Krey hated to see him upset.

Pip clutched the trunk of the tree like he couldn't stand without assistance. "K-Krey," he stuttered, turning away from him and breathing deeply.

Krey wanted Pip to tell him everything that happened, but it seemed they were not close enough yet because Pip sucked his emotions in the best he could.

"I'm okay," Pip breathed. "I just... a-a sickness came over me all of a sudden."

Why won't he tell me about the wolf? Is he worried I won't believe him? Krey stepped through the frozen mud, crunching leaves under his big boots.

"Is this your coat?" He held it in front of him, wanting Pip to approach him so Krey didn't seem too eager.

Pip nodded.

"Why was it on the path back there?" Krey's deep voice was soft in the quiet forest.

"W-Why are you in the woods?"

Pip was rooted to the ground, so Krey moved closer and gave him back his jacket. Pip put it on immediately and zipped it up to his chin. He dug hands in his pockets, glancing nervously around.

Krey had petrified him with his wolf. The guilt was like a sharp wound on his heart. "I was checking the perimeter of the institute." Being truthful felt good. Krey wished he could tell Pip everything about himself, the institute, and why he kept coming back to see him. "Also..." Krey sighed. "I saw an enormous animal. It looked a bit bigger than a dog, and I saw no hum- no owner with it."

Pip's eyes stopped darting around the trees. "Was it brown and sort of black?'

"Yes."

Pip pursed his lips.

Come on, just tell me, Krey thought, but Pip stared to the ground. "Did you see it?" Talking to Pip was probably how his mother felt talking to him.

Pip slowly nodded his head to say yes.

"Was it a dog?" Krey narrowed his eyes. Pip's answer could be significant. Krey had to know if he was open to the possibility of wolves existing in England.

"Um," Pip whispered, still staring at his feet. "I don't know." Krey deflated until Pip added, "But it didn't look like a dog."

"What did it look like?" Krey felt the world zoning in on them both until it felt like they were the only ones to exist for miles and miles. The cold hung in the air, and birds stared from the trees. Fallen leaves bounced along the solid ground. Krey stared intensely; he could melt metal with the burning desire for Pip to whisper the word.

Pip opened his mouth and closed it again. He glanced to Krey and tried to look away, but his eyes glued to him, glossy and afraid. Pip stared when nobody else dared.

Krey found himself stepping closer. "What did it look like?" he asked again, as soft as the breathy wind stroking their hair.

"It looked like a wolf."

Krey shivered from head to toe as his wolf jolted with elation. What could he say next to not completely out himself as a werewolf? He took too long to reply because Pip shook his head.

"It's stupid," Pip mumbled.

"It's not," he said strongly enough to sound serious. Krey's voice, deep and confident, was excellent at asserting power, but with Pip, he spoke in a much calmer tone. Krey didn't want to be above Pip. He wanted them to be equal.

"Y-You think wolves are back in England?" Pip asked.

"They never left."

"You seem very sure of that." Pip looked around the woods, scoping out every tree. "W-Why are you so sure?"

Krey had the opportunity to tell Pip his secret or say something that would make him suspicious and find his secret out on his own. "Why do you think I'm so sure?"

"You saw the wolf too?"

I am the wolf. Krey tensed his jaw when he was close to saying his thoughts aloud. Tell him, tell him, tell him. A sudden gale broke through the woods, creaking the trees and whistling between them. The wind spooked Pip. He wasn't ready to know. "Come," Krey said, "I'll buy you tea." He turned away from Pip, but a small hand grabbed his jacket sleeve.

Krey's entire arm sizzled. The hairs on his forearm stood with excitement. Krey didn't look back because he knew his pupils had doubled in size.

"What about the wolf?" Pip whispered.

"If he wanted to eat you, he would have done it already." As Pip let go of Krey's sleeve, Krey's hand swiftly grabbed his and slotted their fingers comfortably between each other's. His mate blushed, and Krey's heart hammered in his chest. Stay calm and don't grip his hand too hard.

They walked together through the woods. Krey wanted to mention Mark and why he hated Pip so much.

Krey knew Pip had questions too, but they both succumbed to silence, letting the woods speak for them.

Crescent Town soon came into view, and Pip pulled his hand out of Krey's.

"Um," Pip looked down to the ground. Krey noted that avoiding eye contact was a nervous habit of Pip's. "The guy you punched in the café a few days ago. he and his friends are looking for you. They want to fight."

Krey would have bellowed a laugh if he weren't so good at keeping a straight face. "Is that so?"

Pip nodded. "I'm sorry."

Krey frowned. "It's not your fault. I'll deal with them."

"I told them I didn't know you so that they wouldn't look for you. They didn't believe me."

Pip could have easily shifted the blame to Krey and diverted his bullies for a while. He chose to make things worse for himself just so Krey would be safe. Why was Krey pared with such a pure soul?

"Are you worried that they'll see us together after you told them you didn't know me?"

Pip nodded.

"Let them see." Krey edged a hand closer. Pip didn't look at him, and Krey had to see his blue eyes. Slowly, he touched under Pip's chin. His skin was warm and Krey tingled all over. Pip looked up from the shock. Their gaze connected and Krey hoped his emotions were buried deep so Pip couldn't see the desire in his eyes. "Your trouble is my trouble."

"That's not fair for you."

"It's not fair for you to deal with them on your own either." The thought of anyone scaring his mate was enough to make him curl his fingers to fists and fight back his surfacing wolf. "Why do they bully you?"

"Why do you care so much?"

Krey shook his head and bit down on the inside of his lip to stop them curling towards a smile. "You're hard to talk to."

"So are you." Pip smiled for him, and Krey wanted to pull their bodies together and never let him go.

I care because our souls are bounded by force stronger than anything physical. I care because it's impossible not to worry about a mate. I care because you're so kind and sweet and deserve the world.

Krey couldn't say any of that to Pip, at least, not yet.