Savior of the Wolves

Jess’s POV continued

“I’m sorry Momma,” I cried.

Another howl escaped my lips before things began going black.

Then I heard a howl that wasn’t my own. Somehow, I knew this howl to be saddened. It whimpered as it lunged toward us. I sensed it was Josh. He found me.

The monster turned from me to him, its body was translucent, and I hoped Josh could rip through its skin as easily as it tore through mine. The only other time I saw a wolf defend me, it had been Aiden against a bear, and now this. Josh was strong like his brother and his rage fueled the momentum of his attack as he began tearing the scourge apart. Piece by piece.

My pain began to numb, and I felt myself smile if that were possible. There was a new hum all around me. It was soft and melodious. It felt soothed from it…but especially because I knew I wouldn’t die alone. I closed my eyes.

“Open your eyes. Please, please open your eyes.” I could hear a voice in the distance. It was like I was in a dream.

I could hear Odia chanting over me, “I’m keeping her alive as long as I can. She’s slipping away.”

“Open your eyes. You have to look at me.”

I wanted to open my eyes. But why was it so hard? The pain was over, except for the slight burning around my throat. I felt pressure on my throat, someone was holding their hand there.

I kept willing myself to open my eyes. But it felt much like my arms before. Like they didn’t belong to me. I couldn’t operate them.

“Open your eyes. Fight to stay awake a little longer. Your body can heal...but you have to stay awake. Please...please, open your eyes,” the voice begged.

I realized that my exhaustion was partly why they remained closed as I began to regain some reasoning. Like I had been in the deepest slumber of my life.

I could feel my eyes moving and then suddenly, something was coming into view.

“Yes, that’s it. Just like that,” Josh urged. “You have to look at me,” he begged.

I looked up and his wolf was staring down at me, “How can I hear you?” I said, without moving my mouth.

“That’s my girl. You’re doing it. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, but I’m so tired. I just need to sleep.”

“No!” he yelled. “You have to look at me a little longer.”

Odia was trying to help us link, but it sounded like we were talking through a wall.

Suddenly, Josh collapsed beside me. His stare never left mine, he touched his mouth to my face, and I heard him whisper, “I will protect you. Always.”

And I absolutely believe him.

My heart leapt at the words. The sound of his wolf was like a song so beautiful that your eyes closed to experience it more deeply. It took you somewhere…better.

But I didn’t have to leave my new place to find this better place. This family had given it to me.

My vision became blurry, and I could barely make out the dark cover draped all over me. I was unusually warm and comforted. I tried to move my once broken arm to feel my neck and I saw the impossible in front of me...nearly black paw.

A wolf’s paw.

I laid my head back down. Exhausted and utterly confused. Was that my arm…my paw?

Then as if all my memories came flooding back at once. My mother’s sacrifice. She was a wolf and now I had finally shifted. But as that realization settled in, I also felt my strength deplete. My arm collapsed from where I tried to lift it.

“I’m just going to rest for a second,” I said as my eyes rolled back in my head.

“No, Jess. Keep looking at me. Keep talking to me,” Josh begged.

Then I felt like something was pulling me…my body was telling me it was okay to just let go.

But something in my heart, my wolf, said, “He’s close. Hold on.”

Then I just knew. I was going to die today. But I wanted to see him one last time.

I fought it, my eyelids felt like the weight of the world was pulling on them, but I opened them, just to see...and there he was. His wolf was running to me at a dizzying speed. I blinked slowly, trying to erase the sleepiness. I just wanted to look at him. I wanted to feel engulfed by his eyes once more. It was my favorite place.

His face nearly crashed into mine as he placed his face to mine, staring at me, and I instantly knew I loved him.

“I love you too,” he whimpered, so close to my ear. Or was it in my head? Somehow, he heard my thought. Maybe I linked it. I didn’t know, but he loved me too. How could that be possible?

But the fates were ever cruel to me as my blood continued to ooze from my neck onto the ground.

Then I felt a sudden jolt and saw every second that he looked at me. Every beautiful way his lips smiled or slightly parted before he took a breath to calm himself. I had affected him as he had me…since the very second I arrived.

I saw the curves of his strong shoulders under his shirt. I saw his broad neck, his perfect nose that almost hugged mine as we passionately kissed. I saw his pale blue eyes that looked at me like I was everything. Why was I seeing it all now?

I wanted so badly to believe it before but felt naïve to believe that this beautiful man could want or need me as I did him. But I knew beyond any doubt...we loved each other from the first moment we saw each other.

“Do something!” I heard Aiden beg.

“She’s slipping,” I heard Odia cry.

I could hear him...but he sounded so far away. He was screaming and I wanted nothing more than to help him, but I was so tired.

But I had to let him know. “I’ll love you forever.”