Chapter 110

Fiona

“Thank you. I… we should’ve talked about this weeks ago,” I mutter, dropping my head forward to rest on our combined hands.

“You’re right. I promise I’ll let you know about anything happening from here on out. We’ll work through problems together,” Ethan tells me. “Now, come with me.”

Surprised at the sudden change, I follow him out of the car and up to the house, allowing him to lead me through the house to the backyard. He stops at the edge of the patio and turns to me.

“Wait here while I shift. I don’t want you to be too close and get hurt.”

I do as he says, sitting on the steps as he walks out onto the grass. I plant my elbows on my knees, my face in my hands, as I watch curiously.

Like last time, his bones crack and his body contorts, but unlike last time, the change is faster. He’d said the more they shift, the faster it gets, so I guess since it hasn’t been that long, it’s easier for him.

What must it feel like to have your entire body change shape? It seems like it hurts- sounds like it would hurt.

The shift is over in less than a minute this time, and once it’s done, Ethan’s wolf stands on the grass. He looks up at me and sits down, nodding his head. I take it as permission to approach, so I stand and close the distance between us.

He’s as large as I remember, which is enormous. I’ve only ever seen a real wolf once before, but if I had to guess, Ethan’s wolf is twice, maybe three times, the size of a regular wolf. If any scientist found a Lycan, there would be so much trouble. I can only imagine what they’d do, how they’d torture the beast to figure out how they work.

I shiver and shake the thoughts out of my head, stopping in front of Ethan’s wolf when I reach him.

“What now?” I ask, unsure why he brought me out here. We were having a very important conversation and now he can’t have any conversation.

The wolf huffs and flops over on his side, laying down. With a chuckle, I lower myself and sit beside him. When he lifts his head to look at me, I reach out and pet his head.

A soft humming rumble vibrates through the wolf’s body, creating a soothing song that has me leaning against him like he’s a stuffed animal. A very large, very warm stuffed animal. I loved stuffed animals as a kid, and now I have a living breathing one. I giggle at the thought, running my fingers through his fur again.

Calmness washes over me as I lean against him and watch the stars.

“Is this how we’ll spend our nights now?” I ask teasingly. The wolf huffs again, which I guess is the only answer he can give, except he lifts his head, twists his neck, and lays his head on my lap. I turn a bit to make the stretch easier on him.

While petting the wolf, the fear I felt before is nonexistent. Knowing Ethan is in there, controlling what should be a deadly creature, is comforting and probably the only reason I’m not afraid.

“You know, I used to watch the stars like this with my mom when I was a kid,” I murmur, leaning my back against the wolf’s belly and using it as a pillow. His warmth fights away the chill in the night air as I speak. “She would take me out to the park to this little clearing that’s in the patch of trees out there. We would take snacks sometimes and watch the sun set, then when the stars came out, we would lay on our blankets and stargaze.”

I grin at the memory and think of another that Ethan might like.

“There was also this time in college when I went to the zoo with some friends. I saw a wolf there,” I tell him. He lifts his head again, watching me as I continue. “He was alone. There were no other wolves in the enclosure, so I thought that was sad, but I also remember thinking he was pretty—”

A growl interrupts my story, making me grin even wider. He nudges me with his nose and when I go to pet him again, he nips at me softly. Teeth graze my skin, but not with any amount of strength or intention to hurt me. In fact, it’s playful and tickles a bit.

“Well, he wasn’t as handsome as you,” I coo, nuzzling his nose with mine. He freezes momentarily before rubbing against my neck and cheeks, his soft fur tickling my exposed skin.

The rumble coming from Ethan’s wolf turns into a purring sound when I slide my hands down behind his ears. I smile. Who knew a wolf would like to be scratched behind the ears like a dog?

“Is me petting you like this weird since technically you’re a person in there?” I ask, looking into his eyes. It would be strange if someone tried to pet me on the head, but is it the same in this type of situation?

The wolf lifts his head from my lap and shakes it, glowing eyes meeting mine.

“So, you won’t talk to me today, wolfy?” I ask, tilting my head in curiosity. I love talking to Ethan, but I would also like to talk with the wolf again. Like Ethna said, they’re part of each other, so if this is going to work, I want to get to know both parts of him.

The wolf nudges me again, this time it’s a bit harder, so I stand. When he gets up, I move several feet away like he had me do earlier. He stretches and soon, he’s back to his human form, but the glowing golden eyes are very much present and burning bright.

“Wolf?”

He growls, “Mate,” but there’s no anger in the sound. It sends a shiver down my spine and brings a smile to my face. His voice is deeper and huskier than Ethan’s, and while I also love Ethan’s voice, the wolf’s voice is downright sinful.

“Hi, wolf,” I whisper, studying his face. He leans in with a sniff, making me pause as he gets closer and closer. It’s almost like he’s stalking toward prey, which has me taking a step back.

“What are you doing?” I ask quietly.

Hands clamp around my waist, tugging me to his body as he runs his nose up the column of my neck.

“You smell damn good, little mate,” he rumbles, sliding his hands down and tightening his hold on my hips.

“Th-thank you, but um. I was wondering, do you have a name?”

His head tilts to the side curiously before he replies, “Not in the way you have a name. I have always been Ethan.”

“But why don’t you have a name? A name is important. It makes you who you are.”

“Because Ethan and I have always been one, so I didn’t have a need for a separate name,” he says, rubbing his thumb beneath my shirt and against the skin at my waist. “We are two forms that share a body, but he is the main entity. Ethan is me, and I am him, but if you would like to call me something different, you may. I would accept the gift of a name from you.”

He makes it sound so important, like getting the name from me specifically is what will make the name significant.

For now, in this moment, I’ll indulge him. If he wants a name, who am I to deny the request?

“Zev,” I whisper, and his eyes immediately find mine. “I read somewhere that the name Zev means wolf.”

“Read it somewhere, little mate?” He questions, touching my cheek. Heat blooms there, and everywhere else he touches. Always.

Okay, so maybe I didn’t just happen upon the name Zev. Between searching for jobs and ignoring Ethan, I looked up some names that people normally associate with wolves. I was curious and wanted some sort of connection to Ethan without actually talking to him during our time apart.

“Zev…” The wolf hums in thought, leaning in and pressing his forehead to mine. “I like it, little mate.”

I smile up at him, proud that he likes it, and just as I’m about to ask another question, he leans in and captures my lips.

The kiss is soft at first then it becomes heated as Zev pulls me into his lap and settles me there, deepening the kiss.