When they run together, she slows down for him now. They're like a matching pair, like horses pulling an invisible carriage, like they're tied together somehow.
She reports to him every day like they're in the army, but when it's just the two of them running together, there is no rank.
Watching over Nessie has taken over a lot of his life, but somehow he always has time for this. They call it patrolling, but there is no danger now. He feels like it's catching his breath, letting his mind relax, just being the wolf, and being with her.
When they phase back in the woods at the edge of the rez, shyly turning their backs on one another as they slip on their clothes, he talks to her, not even turning his head, but the words slip easily into her acute ears.
"I feel like more like myself with you in my head than I do when I'm in there alone."
She snorts, laughing like the wolf even though she's changed back to the woman, and they fall into step without trying as they make their way into town.