Chapter 8
Brady
I watched her from a distance. I still felt broken about her having a boyfriend, and part of me wanted to punch his face in, but I knew I would never hurt Kris that way.
Kris was jogging. Her eyes were glassy, which made me worry, but she seemed to know where she was going pretty well. At least until she tripped on a tree root.
I half-expected her to get up and brush herself off. But then she screamed.
"Oh, God, ow!" she yelled. She yelled something else, too, but I was too deep in protection mode. I snuffled unconsciously. Her head snapped up.
Her breathing sped. I began to approach her, but had second thoughts. What if she got mad at me again? I mean, for all she knows, I'm a dumb animal. She could shoot me as soon as she's safe. I backed up a little, feeling conflicted.
"No, please... Help. I think my ankle's broken."
I approached her then, seeing that she was in immense pain. I nudged her right leg, trying to figure out which ankle was hurt.
"No... My left ankle hurts."
I was surprised she understood what I was trying to do. I walked forward and lay down so she could grab my fur. I jerked my head towards my shoulder.
Brady, is she hurt?
Yeah, I'm taking her to shelter. Thanks, Collin, but stay where you are.
Okay. Be careful.
I'll be fine.
I stood up, careful not to jostle her too much.
"There's a shed not far from here... It has a first aid kit. And food. You can take me there."
I followed her instructions and slowly walked with her. I felt her eyes on me. Maybe she was confused about why a wild animal would go near a human and actually help her.
Maybe... Seth was in my head, now.
"Were you... Are you the wolf that howled earlier?"
I fought a grimace and lost. I nodded.
"You shouldn't feel ashamed. I feel heartbroken sometimes, too."
I turned my head to look at her. She felt heartbroken? Why should she suffer?
"No, I'm not heartbroken now, if that's what you're thinking."
I was honestly amazed that she could understand me. We arrived at the shed. Kris hopped on one foot to the door and turned on a lantern. I looked inside.
There was a small bed on one side, and shelves and a trunk in the other. The shelves had packets of dehydrated food. I saw a gun in the corner. I left.
"Wait!"
I froze and pushed my head through again.
"Don't leave me."
My heart raced. She wanted me to be with her! I made my way into the shed.
Dude, you're going to have to phase sometime...
I know. Just let me be with her.
Okay...
I laid down on the floor of the shed. Kris's stomach growled. I looked up, snickering mentally.
"Shut up and hand me one of those packets on the shelf."
I looked at all of them. There was one that said "beef jerky" on it, so I nudged it off the shelf with my nose and flung it carefully onto her lap.
"Nice."
I really did laugh at the face she made at the jerky, but she didn't notice. She ripped through the package and ravenously ate the first piece. She threw one to me. I gobbled it down. Hey, I was hungry, too!
"Dogs ought to chew it throughly," Kris reprimanded me. She tossed me another piece.
Just to mess with her, I ate that one faster.
I wouldn't- Seth warned.
Oh, God, Collin laughed in his head with Seth as I choked. I spit out the jerky, which looked like it did before it was in my mouth. Kris made a face.
Dude, I think you're gonna have to eat it.
Yeah, dogs do it all the time.
I made a face at them and ate the jerky again. Kris looked sick, but she rested her head on the pillow. I stood and pulled the blanket up with my teeth. She closed her eyes.
A minute passed, and then I phased. I touched her shoulder gently.
"If only you knew," I whispered, "that I love you."
Her breathing was even. I sat there and stared.
In front of me was an angel I was willing to give up if it made her happy. I loved her, and I would do anything for her. I wanted to get to know her. I wanted to see her. To hear her voice call out my name...
I loved her. Pure and simple.
I pressed a hand to her cheek. She responded to the warmth, burrowed her cheek into my palm. My heart beat faster.
I leaned in, and kissed her forehead. And I morphed into a dog once more, and slept with my head next to hers.
AN: AWWWWWWWWWWWW!
