I can see quite a few people gawking at him. He doesn’t look as well as he used to, but better than when I got here. Plus I am sure they haven’t seen him out since I left. He is probably just an anomaly at this point.
Markus walks up to us from the training grounds. “I see she got you out of your self appointed cell.” He isn’t showing resentment towards his brother. That’s refreshing at least.
“I told you all that all I needed was her, you guys didn’t listen.” He pulls me closer. “All I will ever need is her. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Markus sighs. “It might be something that you will have to start considering. She is my mate.”
Darius growls. “My mate.”
I stand between the two of them. “Boys, this is not the time or the place. We need to conquer one hurdle at a time. Right now we have the ticking time bomb in Darius’s head that we need to worry about. We will address the rest when we get there. Right now is not that time.”
Markus kisses me. “You’re right. I’ll see you later.”
Darius is breathing hard. “Is that why you wanted me out here? To show me that?”
“No, Darius. I didn’t. I wanted you out here for your health. I want you to be better.”
“You want me better so you can be with him.”
“I’m not going to lie to you, it is one of the options on the table.” I take his hand trying to calm him down. “For right now I am your mate. Don’t waste it by getting angry and chasing me off again. Think of the baby.”
I can see him start to soften. As soon as the anger has ebbed he pulls my body to him. “I’m sorry. Don’t leave please.”
“I’m not leaving. Now stop acting crazy.”
He chuckles a little. “You make me a little crazy.”
I pull back a little, “Then maybe I should leave. I don’t want you crazy.”
“I’m crazy without you. I’m crazy with the thought of you leaving me.”
I smile. “So change of subject. Your uncle is coming to visit.”
“Really, I think I have only met him like once? He is always so busy.” He wraps his arms around me as we walk.
“Well, he is coming now. He is concerned for your health.”
“Sophia, I know I am asking a lot, but I really want you to consider just staying with me. I know you love Markus. I know I am selfish. I know I shouldn’t even consider saying this. I just love you so much.”
“I have a lot to consider, Darius. There is this baby, you and Markus. I have to pick what is best for everyone. It is a lot on my shoulders right now.”
I steer him towards the woods. I want him to shift. I am sure his wolf is restless. The doctor made it sound like a good idea. I can’t shift though because of the baby, so I am not sure that he will want to do it. “So here is what I want you to consider. I want you to shift and go for a run.”
He pulls me a little closer. “Will you run with me?”
“I can’t shift. You know pregnant she-wolves can’t shift.”
He pulls me even closer. I think I am on my toes at this point. “Then ride on my back.”
“Do you think your wolf can handle it? I don’t want to put more strain on your body.”
He smiles at my words. “How can you say you don’t love me, you are always so worried about me?”
“Because I care for you very deeply. You are the father of my child.”
“And maybe you love me just a little bit.”
I roll my eyes. “Will you shift please?”
“Since you asked so nicely. Plus you are riding my back.”
He walks towards the trees, pulling off his shirt. He looks around before he strips off his pants. We are pretty isolated here. Not that I think Darius would have really cared if anyone saw him naked. I am sure plenty of she-wolves have seen him naked. He was pretty experienced when he mated with me.
Before shifting he holds his arms out. “See anything you like, little mate.”
“Shift.” I direct him. Shaking my head in the process.
His body falls to all fours as black fur spouts from his body. His body shifts and contorts until a large black wolf is standing in front of me. He shakes out his fur. His eyes catch mine. Now I was a little concerned, because in wolf form we are in control but our senses are heightened and more animalistic. I am not really sure what to expect from his wolf. He has never shifted in front of me before.
His large wolf bounds towards me. I stand motionless, because I know running will make things worse. He will react by chasing me down. When his wolf reaches me he rubs his muzzle along my belly. He licks and purrs, nuzzling as close as possible. I almost expected his wolf to want his mate, but it would seem that the wolf sees me as his mate too. It is respecting me as the mother of his pup. He kneels down in front of me, a clear invitation to get on his back.
A little hesitantly I climbed on board. I grip on his scruff as he stands. He starts at a slow trot, then his speed increases as he sees that I am secure and not going to fall off. I can tell this is good for him. His wolf is helping to heal his body. Getting him back to his peak condition. Pushing him to go faster.