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Marble was almost the same size as me by the time winter ended, and I was worried. All three of us were staying as wolves for much too long, thus beginning to age prematurely. It made me happy to realise that the weather was warming up, and that we’d all be able to stay in our human forms without freezing to death.

The boy was huddled up under a blanket when I found him. With his human form, he would be able to pass for a thirteen year old even though he had only been alive for a year and a half. Personally, I wasn’t growing as quickly as the other two. There were both ups and downs to being born in wolf form and human form. Wolves would mature quickly as children and be able to look after themselves, but would age quickly if they stayed in wolf form for too long. I, on the other hand, was born in my human form and took a while to be able to shift, thus requiring much more care than a normal wolf pup or baby human. However, I would not physically age at a fast pace if I were to stay as a wolf.

I sat down next to Marble and wrapped one of my arms around his shoulders comfortingly. “How are you holding up?” I asked softly.

Marble nodded. “Fine,” he mumbled, his eyes darting to where Cole sat across the room from us. When Cole caught his gaze, Marble flinched, burying his face in my arm – he was still a child after all.

“I’m going to get food,” Cole said as he stood up.

I nodded silently and waved.

When he was sure my brother had left, Marble turned to me. “Let’s run,” he said, tugging on my arm. “We keep traveling in circles, so if we can get back to our previous camp spots, we can get back to our house.”

My expression was soft as I looked at him pityingly. “We can’t do that, Mar,” I whispered, hugging him tighter. “If Cole manages to find us again, I don’t know what he’ll do.”

Marble sniffed and hugged me back. “I want to see Dad,” he whined quietly.

“I miss him too,” I said shakily, my finger raking soothingly through his streaked hair. “I’m sure he’s worried about you.”

“He’s worried about you too. When Miss Khione arrived he told her that he was extremely upset that you’d left, and that he was waiting for you to come home.” Marble explained.

I bit my lip and tried to change the subject. “Are you hungry?” I asked. “I’m sure we’ll be able to eat soon.”

He shook his head. “I want something that you’ve cooked.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Of course you do,” I said. “After all, I’m a fabulous cook.” I stuck my tongue out jokingly.

Marble laughed and sighed, closing his eyes and leaning his head on my shoulder. “I do want to see Dad, though,” he whispered.

“I know,” I whispered in reply, placing a reassuring kiss on his head.

~~~*~~~

“No,” Cole growled pushing me to the side.

I stumbled back. “Please?” I begged. “I just need to know that he’s doing okay without me. He needs to know that Marble’s safe!”

My brother grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Listen Runt, the fact that you’ve both been separated for this long means he’s probably moved on already. Didn’t you hear him? He’s getting married to that girl.” He let go and roughly shoved me again. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

I pursed my lips and looked down. “Can I write him a letter and leave it at the house? I won’t say anything about you or where we are. You can read over it before I deliver it if you want.” My voice cracked as the tears came through. “Just…” I trailed off. “Please?”

“Fine,” Cole snapped. “But show it to me straight before you deliver it. I don’t want you slipping anything extra in after I’ve read it.”

A broad smile spread onto my face and I blinked through my tears. “Thank you so much,” I said, giving my brother a quick thoughtless hug before running off to find some form of stationary. When I did, I wrote down the first thing that came to mind:

Rowan,

Don’t worry, Marble and I are both safe.

Congratulations on your engagement.

We miss you.

I still love you.

-       Jay

My bottom lip trembled as I signed my name. All I could find was a group of sticky notes and a lead pencil, but it had to do. I stared at the notes until a brilliantly risky idea popped into my head. I gently peeled the first few sticky notes away from the rest and flipped the small stack over, roughly carving the word ‘help’ onto the paper. When I peeled away the original note away, the word ‘help’ was lightly indented into the back. I smiled to myself, flipping the note over and making my way back to Cole. I handed him the note and he read over it.

“I’ll take you tonight when the kid’s asleep,” he said. “Remember, Runt, I’ll be watching while you deliver this note of yours, so no funny business, okay? I’ll be able to see and hear everything you do.”

I smiled and nodded. “I just need to say goodbye,” I said. “This note will do.”

~~~*~~~

There it was. The house that I had called home for the past year stood in front of me, seeming much more intimidating than it had ever seemed. I slowly made my way up the stairs and onto the porch. I stood for a moment, wondering what I should do. I quietly peaked through the window. The pups were nowhere in sight, but Rowan and Khione were on the couch, huddled together. Khione was sound asleep while Rowan’s arm was wrapped around her waist. He looked exhausted.

I crouched down and slipped the note under the door, accidentally hitting my hand on the door loudly. I froze as I heard someone rush to the door and open it.

Rowan looked down at me. The dark circles that were evident under his golden eyes indicated that he hadn’t been sleeping well. Judging by his closeness to Khione, I could guess why. His eyebrows furrowed and his mouth opened slightly. Rowan bent down and picked up the note, flinching when I did. I stepped back and Rowan grabbed my wrist. He read over the note before looking back at me. “What the hell is this?” he asked angrily.

I cringed, trying to tug my hand away from his clasp and looking around for Cole. “I-I just came to say goodbye,” I stuttered shakily.

“You’re leaving?” Rowan asked incredulously. “After all this time I’ve spent looking for you, you’re leaving? Where the hell is Marble?”

“He’s safe,” I reassured him. “He’s with me.” My smile disappeared and I looked at the ground. “He’s safe,” I repeated. What had I done?

“But where is he?” Rowan asked.

I shook my head. “I can’t tell you.” If I did, my crazy brother would murder everyone. “Can you just trust me?” I asked.

“Can I?” Rowan asked. “You disappear for three months along with my son and now you come back telling me that our relationship is over? That you’re leaving me?”

I had to clench my fists to stop my hands from shaking. “What’s going to happen to me? Am I supposed to be some sort of mistress waiting while you go and sleep with your real wife?” I shook my head. “I don’t work like that, Rowan.”

He reached out and grabbed my arm when I stepped back. “What the hell are you talking about?” he asked.

“Don’t think I don’t know that you’re engaged to…” I trailed off; looking behind Rowan at the couch that Khione was asleep on.

Rowan followed my gaze before looking back to me. “I rejected her mother’s offer. We’re not getting married.” He said quietly.

My eyes widened as I felt my face flush. How could I have been so stupid? “Then why is she here?” I asked.

“Two reasons,” Rowan said, holding up two fingers. “The first is formalities. The second is to help the pack look for you and Marble.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “You do care,” I whispered. I looked up into my mate’s yellow eyes. “You’re really not getting married?”

His arms wrapped around my waist. “Come inside. You feel like you’ve lost so much weight.” Rowan whispered into my ear.

I was almost tempted by the smell of chicken and gravy before I remembered that I was being watched. I stepped back. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I – he – the pups will be hurt.” I said.

Rowan grabbed my shoulders, holding me in place. “What do you mean the pups will get hurt?” he questioned.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry,” I apologised. “I have to go.”

“Wait,” Rowan said, tugging me back to face him.

Smiling, I stood on my toes, reaching up to kiss my mate. His lips were dry and chapped, but I didn’t care. I was driven by the memories of soft, warm lips telling me how much he loved me. I pulled away and smiled up at Rowan. “Goodbye,” I whispered. “I love you.”

He shook his head. “When will I see you again?” he asked.

I bit my lip, looking towards the forest where I knew Cole was lurking. “My best guess is never.”

Rowan looked heartbroken as I took a step back. His hand reached up to stroke my cheek, caressing my face softly. “I love you too, Jay,” he said, smiling sadly. “I’ll come find you.”

I nodded before making my way back down the porch steps.

“Jay!” Rowan called out just before I was about to shift.

“Yes?” I asked, turning back around.

My mate grinned. “What happened to your glasses?”

I touched my face, realising that I had completely forgotten about my thick-rimmed retro glasses. I shrugged. “I’ve been in wolf for so long; my eyes have probably learnt to adjust.” I smiled. “Is there anything else before I go?”

Rowan frowned staring at me – taking in the way I looked – for what was probably the last time. “It’s just that,” he paused. “I love you.”

I nodded as I felt my smile grow wider. “I love you too. So does Marble.” I went silent. “We both miss you.” With that, I shifted into my wolf form and ran off into the forest. I watched as my mate stood on the porch for a while longer, seemingly in a state of shock. He smiled sadly to himself before he returned back into the house.

It took you long enough, Cole growled and I jumped at the sudden noise.

I apologised and followed him back to the abandoned house we were staying in. I kept turning around, hoping and praying that Rowan had decided to follow me, but, to my disappointment, he wasn’t there. I just wished that he could at least find my hidden message at the back of the note.

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