A Nurse Among Wolves

Chapter 19: Torin

Our mate was goddess sent. To know that she had never been with a man and that we had the honor of showing her that world is beyond joy. Since Ash's confession and Miren's acceptance of us she has become more open to us physically, being more welcoming of our touch. I had managed to fix the guest bed so now she had her own space in our home though the only place I felt that she truly belong was in our bed. I was a selfish bastard. We had been living in a comfortable companionship for weeks now, with hugs and small touches. The highlight of which was when Rowan wanted to watch a horror movie. Every time she jumped or was startled, she would pull Ash and I closer a hand wrapped around each or our arms. But the closer she comes the more I crave her. I know I'm not the only one, Ash's wolf has been closer to the surface than ever before. He had started to go out at night to let his wolf out if only too easy the tension. My own wolf has been rearing his head more than ever before. I was starting to worry that if we didn't do something soon one of us was going to shift in-front of her and then we would all be in trouble.

I growled as I swung the axe again. I needed the physical exertion to help calm my wolf. He growled with his need for our mate and I answered with one of my own.

"We need to tell her" Ash said, he was leaning against the wood house looking thoughtful.

"but how" I grumbled, swing my axe again "she's still nervous and no matter how we say it she'll run away from us screaming" I finished with a growl of frustration.

"I know" Ash signs, scrubbing his hands over face "but we are all growing restless, if we don't do something soon we will all go crazy". It was hard for mates to not solidify the bond and to go weeks with nothing by small touches was driving us all a little mad.

"We need to show her" he says finally "tonight we need for her to see one of us change"

"What brought this about?" I ask, knowing it is more than the mating madness.

Ash signs again, loudly, before dropping down into the step and resting his elbows on his knees.

"The bears are getting bolder" he tells me as I put the axe down, taking a seat next to him "I have been patrolling Miren's house at night and have chased them off several times. I am afraid that they will try something and the longer so remains unmated the more danger she is in"

I know he is right. The bears have become extremely bold and have even cause a few scuffles in town. But to think that they would steal or goddess forbid harm a female is beyond imagining. Shifters aren't like humans, it is instintic, a part of our very being to protect and care for females even those that are not part of our pack.

"Surly Zain wouldn't allow that? He always seemed like a reasonable Alpha" Ash just shakes his head at my question.

"I don't think these are Zain's bears, they don't smell right" My ears perk up at this.

"Are you saying there is an entire den of rouge bears out there?!" I almost shout. Rouges are dangerous in ones and twos but a whole den that could be up to 30 bears was a serious threat.

"We have to speak to Zain, he needs to know about this" Ash tells me "but first we need to complete the bond with out mate"

I nod "who do you want to shift?"

"I will shift" He says, standing "tonight we will tell her, and I will shift".

"If she can look past your ugly mug then the rest of us will be just fine" I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

He grimaces "I will terrify her" he says with a frowns.

I know that his appearance has always been a sore spot for him. Knowing that his wolf might scare our mate must be very painful. In my heart though I know that our mate loves Ash and that she isn't scared of him in the slightest nor will she be frightened of his wolf once she understands that the wolf and Ash are one in and the same.

"Granted you are one scary motherfucker" I tell him, leaning back on my elbows "but she doesn't seem to mind you in this form so I seriously doubt she will mind you in your other".

Ash sends me a glare that would make other men piss themselves but I just smile wider.

"you're a real pain in the ass, you know that?" I laugh, jumping up to through my arm over his shoulder.

"Of course I do" I say happily, we start walking back toward the house "That's why you love me" we both laugh at this. Coming closer to the house we see Miren, Roman and Rowan hanging up laundry on the line. She smiles as soon as she sees us, running toward us. She practically throws herself into Ash's waiting arms, beaming up at him and then over to me.

"You guys were gone for ages" she pouts, pulling Ash's arms around her more tightly. He leans down and kisses the top of her head. And the bastard thinks she will be afraid of him.

"then, Little one, we shall never leave you again" Ash tells her, looking more content than I have ever seen.

I send a prayer to the goddess that she might give our mate the strength to make it through tonight. For she alone holds that power to either make us the happiest men in the world or destroy us completely.