INDIGO'S POV
-Mate...she's here. She's here!-
Shadow started to gain control and pushed me to the back of his mind. I no longer had any authority over our wolf form. It felt as if I was going numb, I could no longer feel anything. The only senses I had left were my sight, smell, and hearing. Shadow swung his tail back and forth as he inched forward toward our mate. As we got closer Lily stumbled back, I could still hear the rapid beating of her heart.
~Shadow stop! You're scaring her!~
He didn't listen and continued to walk forward. I expected her to run away from us instead she stood there. She moved toward us with a curious look, her flashlight still shining on our face. She stopped only inches away. We stared into her silver eyes that appeared to glow against the night sky. She reached out her empty hand and dug it into the fur of our neck. Shadow wagged his tail faster, excited to feel our mate's touch.
~No! I know what you're thinking! Do not do it!~
Shadow whimpered as his leg shook.
-But...but she's right there!-
~We are trying not to scare her away, remember!?~
My wolf became more agitated I knew that he wouldn't listen to me. I cleared my mind to regain control over the wolf form and I failed. Shadow jumped on top of Lily, pinning her down to the ground. He started to lick her face causing Lily to howl in laughter aggressively.
~She's laughing. That's the first time I've ever heard her laugh.~
"Stop! Stop you big dog!" She tried to push Shadow away but he would not budge.
~Get off of our mate! You're going to smother her you big lump of fur!~
He continued to ignore my pleas and kept suffocating Lily with licks. She managed to lift her hand up during the barrage and scratched behind Shadow's ear causing us to fall to our side. She took advantage of our now exposed state and rubbed our belly aggressively.
~Get a hold of yourself, Shadow! Goddess, this is embarrassing.~
-But it feels so good!-
I sighed with the sudden urge to headbutt against one of the nearby trees. Lily stopped scratching our belly and ran to grab a stick that lay on the ground. She held it up and started waving it in front of our face.
"Hey, big doggy. You want this stick?"
-Yes!-
~No! Damn it Shadow stop acting like a dog!~
-Stick!-
Shadow hunched down with his backend in the air. His tail wagged energetically as his slobbering tongue hung out.
"Oh, you do want the stick!"
-Yes! Stick, stick, stick!-
~We are not chasing after that stupid fucking stick!~
"Go fetch boy!" Lily threw the stick away from the lake causing Shadow to lunge into the air. We caught the stick in our jaws before it hit the ground. We landed on all fours and looked back at Lily. Her laughter rang in the air. Shadow ran back towards her, she was standing near the edge of the lake.
~Shadow slow down!~
We bumped into Lily causing her to fall. Shadow dropped the stick and stood at the water's edge. Lily was lying in a shallow pool, her hair and clothes were completely soaked. Shadow pouted as he lowered our head towards her to see if she was okay.
"I'm fine you big dog!" She chuckled as she started to lift herself out of the water. She hissed out in pain as soon as she put pressure on her ankle. "Fuck!"
~Shadow, give me control.~
-I can help!-
~We don't have time to argue! Give me control now!~
My wolf whined and gave me complete control over our body. I was able to once again feel the wind on our fur. I stepped forward into the lake, my paws stung in the stark cold water. I nudged her shoulder with my head hoping to catch her attention. She stared at me with wide eyes.
"What is it, boy?"
I turned my head parallel to her, hoping she'd understand what I was trying to do. I saw her nod out of the corner of my eye as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She pulled herself up and supported her weight on her good foot. I helped her keep her balance as she hobbled out of the lake and sat on the ground. She was furiously shivering and rubbed her arms to try to keep warm. I sat in front of her and pawed at the zipper of her jacket.
"Do you want me to remove my coat?" I pawed at the jacket's zipper again to say yes.
"Okay," She took it off and placed it on the ground next to her. I laid down behind her, she felt cold as she leaned into our fur and she slowly stopped shivering. I laid my head on her lap to try to comfort her.
"Thank you, boy." I closed my eyes, my body shuddered as I felt her hands stroke my head.
~I'm sorry for snapping at you, Shadow.~
-You shouldn't apologize. I hurt our mate, you just wanted to help her.-
~Yeah but you are still my wolf. I shouldn't take my anger out on you.~
-Thank you, Indigo. Are we gonna tell her about us?-
~Not today. I want to ease into it slowly that I'm a werewolf. I'm also going to need to apologize to her first.~
-How long will the take?-
~I don't know. But she might take it better if we're friends first. But right now let's focus on keeping her warm.~
-Okay.-
My eye's jolted open when I could no longer feel Lily stroking my fur. I found her sleeping against our body. It made me happy to know she felt that comfortable around us.
~We should take her home.~
-How? With her asleep, she can't safely ride on our back.-
~I'll run there in my form. I won't be as fast as you but I can get her home in fifteen minutes flat.~
-Are you sure? You still don't have your clothes.-
~I'll run naked then.~
-What if someone sees you?-
~Then it will be the luckiest day of their life.~
-Okay, just be careful.-
~Don't worry Shadow I will.~
I raised our head off of her lap and started to shift. Before Lily moved an inch I caught her in the arm of my human form. With my other arm under her knees, I lifted her up slowly careful not to wake her. Her head was resting against my chest, she was still cold and her clothes still damp. I sniffed the air to try to pick up her scent. It was hard because with Lily being so close her scent was overwhelming. I tried to focus on any scent that lingered in the air until I found her's.
~She came from the trail.~
I took off down the trail running as fast as I could, Lily heavily asleep in my arms. I followed the scent trail to an open window on the bottom floor of an apartment building. I looked inside and saw it was a bedroom, her scent was everywhere.
~This must be her apartment. Where is her window screen? At least I can get in through this way.~
I carefully climbed in through the window holding on to her tightly. I gently placed her on her bed hoping not to disturb her.
-We should take off her clothes.-
~What!? Absolutely not she's unconscious!~
-She might get sick though if she stays in those wet clothes.-
~You might be right, shit.~
I frantically tried to think of what to do though my mind was coming up blank.
~I can't do it, Shadow. I won't touch her not without her permission.~
-Then ask her permission.-
~Absolutely fucking not. I'm naked in her bedroom, she'll think I'm a creep and call the police!~
"Indy?" I froze as I heard Lily's sweet voice. "Are you still here?"
"Yes, Lily." I walked closer to the bed surprised to find her eyes still closed.
"Why are you and Shadow arguing?"
My eyes grew wide and my jaw dropped.
~Did...did she just ask why we were arguing?~
-She did.-
"Because..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Your clothes are wet and Shadow thought we should change them. So you don't get sick."
"Then change them."
"Are...you sure, Lily?"
"Yes, Indy I'm sure."
"Oh...ok." Something felt off. I couldn't understand how she knew Shadow's name. And she wouldn't open her eyes.
~Is she sleep talking? No, she can't be, right?~
"Indy, it's ok. I promise." She turned over on her back, a smile on her lips.
~Fuck, control yourself Indigo.~
Lily let out a soft giggle.
~Did she hear me?~
"Yes, I heard you Indy. Now, are you gonna get me out of these wet clothes or not?"
-She can hear us. She established a mind link, our mate bond is getting stronger.-
~Holy shit, you're right.~
"Lily," I leaned down over the edge of her bed. "I need you to open your eyes."
"Would that make you happy?"
"Yes, I need to know if you are really awake."
"See look, my eyes are open now." I stared at her closed eyes hurt and confused. I didn't know what was happening but it concerned me.
I'm sorry Lily but I won't touch you. You saying yes in your sleep is not consent.
"Please Indy don't leave me alone."
"Waterlily..."
"He's going to hurt me."
"Who? Who's gonna hurt you, Lily?"
"He found me. He knows where I am, and he won't stop till he gets what he wants." Tears fell from her closed eyelids down her cheeks. I wiped her tears away and held her hand.
"Lily, I won't let anyone hurt you. I will always be here whenever you need me."
"Promise?"
"I promise." I raised her hand to my lips and tucked her into bed.
~I hope these blankets are enough to keep her warm.~
"Goodbye, Lily." I walked away and went out through the window. It didn't take me long for me to find my car once I shifted into my wolf. Once I got dressed I drove home and flopped onto my bed. I glanced over at my alarm clock and the time read 3:41 am.
~Fuck me. I'm not gonna get any sleep.~