Chapter 58

His shift had been so smooth and so powerful. His beautiful, large, black wolf was right in front of me. Most people's eyes would change whenever they shifted, but not Arsen's. It was something that I loved as I was able to continue to look at those dark eyes. He walked towards me with his wolf's usual grace- actually, even more grace than before. Someone wanted to be whistled, so I did.

I could see those dark eyes flicker with happiness as his head got closer to mine, putting his forehead against mine. I then wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged the beast, appreciating its warmth. He got onto the bed and settled himself. He had curled himself for me to sleep against him. I snuggled myself in that crook. He pulled the bed sheet over me with his mouth and I breathed his scent in.

He wasn't planning to sleep that night, but I was. I needed it, I had to sleep for my wolf to heal in peace next to her mate. I felt so guilty for not realising and not stopping it, but I learnt back to mind link so quickly. I couldn't see how she could've been in the wrong. It spoke volumes about how as much as I think that my relationship with my wolf is okay, it isn't. She doesn't trust me enough to shift and I don't trust her enough to listen and follow her lead.

"I'm sorry," I told Arsen's wolf, knowing that he must also be hurting. He shook his head, a very Arsen thing to do. "I wanted to shift, really badly and I- I wasn't patient enough, I wanted things to be right, and I ended up making it worse. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me after this," I confess.

He wasn't happy with my statement as he shook his head, but I had fucked up badly.

"You tell her I'm sorry," I said, snuggling closer to him, "she'll listen to you."

I was asleep before I realised it and when I woke up the following morning, Arsen's wolf was awake too. I had no clue if he had managed to get some sleep or not, but I hoped he did.

"Good morning," I petted his head and body.

He licked my entire face, making me laugh, getting the wetness off my face with my hands.

"Did you manage to get some sleep?" I asked, he tipped his head.

It was better than a no, but I wasn't expecting Arsen to say no, if he truly hadn't slept the entire night.

'*I want you to stay in bed today,*' Arsen mind linked.

"Are you sure it's the best thing for me?" I asked him, the face his wolf made was enough of a response.

'*Food will get delivered and starting from now, you let your wolf smell it and taste it first, allow her to decide what's good or worse for you,*' he commanded me, I nodded. '*You have tooo much control, which is normal after not having her for so many years, but it has to stop. Fifty-fifty, are we clear?*'

I nodded firmly.

'*We're having this sleep arrangement until my wolf decides against it, understood?'*

"Loud and clear," I answered.

His wolf got up and he left the room, grabbing his clothes with his mouth and leaving the room. I grabbed a pillow and cuddled it, already missing that feeling.

He enterred half-an-hour later with food for both of us, in his human form. He grabbed a chair and pulled it closer to the bed and sat there preparing himself to eat. I went to get out of bed, but that only earned me a growl.

"Can I not leave the bed to eat?"

"No," I rolled my eyes, "you're lucky I'm not feeding you the food. Now, eat."

I did as he told me earlier, I let my wolf smell the food and then taste it. She was so weak, it was breaking my heart to feel her in that state, but I also had to suffered for doing that to her.

After we ate, he grabbed my tray and his and pushed them onto a table. He layed a kiss on my lips and then pointed at me, "you're not leaving this bed. Any trips to the toilet are in and out, no wondering around, are we clear?"

"Yes," I answer, "and I'll continue to let my wolf try everything first."

"I may be able to come by for lunch," he informed me, "no promises though."

"Love you," I said before he left.

"I love you too," he replied and closed the door.

He didn't make it for lunch, nor was I expecting him too. This had been a direct attack against this pack's Luna. Something punishable by death. He was going to be very busy, especially also after all that was happening with the vampires. Everything was happening at once and it wouldn't be absurd to think that it wasn't just a coincidence.

Arsen made it back to ours just before dinner. He was Arsen, so he never did look tired or weak, but I could tell that he was indeed very tired.

"Sorry I couldn't make it for lunch," he apologised.

"No worries," I quickly dismissed, "what did you do today?" I asked, leaving a space for him in the bed, right beside me.

He took off his shoes and sat on the bed right beside me, "busy."

"Well, mine was very boring, so if you could describe it a bit more for me..." I proposed, he chuckled.

"We caught the 'witch', she was sent by your friend, Ascian, confirming what we were suspecting. He wants you back," he explained.

"What?" I exclaimed startled, "he rejected me! I went through the whole rejection process and now he wants me back? He can go to hell for all I know!" I looked at him as he smiled, "don't you there pull a 'you're hot when you're mad'."

"I wasn't," he laughed.

"Good!"

"But you *are* hot when you're mad," he affirmed.

"Oh, shut up!" She couldn't help but chuckle too. As that spark of happiness died down, I realised a far more important question: "he won't attack the North, right?"

I looked at him with worried eyes and I waited for an answer.