Inescapable Love

Chapter Twenty-Three: Compromise

After Chris let all of his anger out, he was breathing hard and staring into my eyes. He stood there for a few more moments before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, spinning around and changing into wolf form before darting into the woods. I sighed as I watched him go, knowing he needed a run. I sadly changed into wolf form and turned the other way, running back home.

***

As I waited for Chris to get home, I sat on the couch and watched TV in a pair of his boxers and a tank top. I had never known that Chris had a sister, but now that I knew what had happened to her, I didn't blame him for not mentioning her. I absentmindedly placed a hand on my stomach, wondering if I really was pregnant. Chris seemed angry at the thought, and I knew it must be because he thought it would be dangerous for me to have kids at this time. But that's exactly why the packs needed to come together. If they stayed engaged in a war, our child might never get to see his or her father.

I jumped when I heard the door open, and I knew Chris had decided to finally come home. I stood up and walked to the front door, seeing his expression had not softened. I guess his run didn't help after all.

"Hey...I'm sorry about earlier," I said instantly, not wanting him to think I was going to be mad at him for something that wasn't his fault. Chris stared at me for a moment, and I began to think he wasn't planning on answering.

"I don't wanna talk about earlier," he finally said, walking past me as his shoulder brushed mine. I sighed and looked down at the ground, knowing that tonight might not be the best night to bring up the aspect of the packs joining together. I turned around and followed Chris. I expected him to sit down on the couch like he usually did, but instead he stopped at the back door and glanced over at me.

"What?" I asked, feeling confused as he stared at me meaningfully.

"Come here," he mumbled, holding his hand out in an inviting gesture. My heart skipped a beat at the sadness and pain in his eyes, but I pushed the emotions back and gently took his hand, feeling the warmth seep through me from his touch.

"Where are we going?" I asked when he opened the door, leading us outside.

"You'll see. I found something that I wanted to show you," he replied in a flat tone, his hand gripping mine loosely.

"What is it?" I asked curiously, but he just glanced at me with a small, forced smile.

"Just follow me," he said before abruptly changing into wolf form and sprinting into the trees. I followed suit, and soon both of us were running through the woods.

"Are we close yet?" I asked after a few minutes. Chris just pushed himself faster in response, and with no warning he stopped. I almost ran into him because of how suddenly he had stopped running.

"Here it is." he said, motioning to what lay in front of us. My ears perked up. We were standing at the entrance of a small cave, or den. It looked like some type of shelter made by some sort of animal. I glanced at Chris and his tail was wagging.

"So...remind me why we're here again?" I asked after a few moments. Chris walked up to me and sat down, his fur brushing against mine.

"It's a den for where you can raise the pups once they're born." he stated in an obvious tone, as if I should've known that from the moment I had set eyes on it.

"Why can't I just stay in your house where there's heat and food?" I grumbled, glancing up at Chris. He noticeably rolled his eyes.

"You can't raise newborn wolf pups in a house. They have to be born and raised for the most part outside." he informed me.