I watched her closely, but she was so still on the bed. Her breathing was shallow, and I was afraid that I was losing her already. Then I heard the cracking of bones. Her whole body shuddered and then her fingers elongated, and the change began.
When her wolf lay on the bed, I fell on my knees beside the bed and cried against the blanket. When I heard her wolf whimper, I looked up and stroked her fur. Her tongue came out and licked the inside of my arm, and I smiled down at her. My breath was coming out in rugged gasps, but I finally relaxed.
Richard came around the bed so he could look in her eyes. He reached down and rubbed her snout, smoothing his hands over her fur.
“Your wolf is beautiful, Chelsea,” he said softly. Then he turned and looked down at me. There was still concern on his face, but I could see the relief there as well.
“She needs to heal, but she will be fine, Zeke,” he said, reaching out and putting his hand on my shoulder. I nodded, but I still couldn’t speak.
“Take care of her. I’ll come back to check on her in a little while,” he said, and then he left the room, closing the door behind him. I stripped out of my clothes and shifted to my wolf form. Then I jumped on the bed and took my place beside Chelsea. I was not leaving her side.
Over the next few hours, one by one, each person in the house checked on us, bringing water for Chelsea and making sure that she was healing. She just needed rest. Richard was the last one to visit, and when he left the room, he shut off the light and told us goodnight.
I snuggled up next to Chelsea. Richard had been right when he said that Chelsea’s wolf was beautiful. My wolf was just as proud to call her mate. I watched her closely, and I knew the moment that Chelsea fell asleep. I could sense it, and sleep was what she needed right now.
It made me proud that her wolf had obeyed my command so beautifully. That was what had saved her life. Both Chelsea and her wolf had learned important lessons today, and I knew that in the future, they would both follow my commands. It could mean the difference between life or death.
It was several more hours before I finally fell asleep. I had waited until I heard Chelsea’s heartbeat and breathing return to normal. It was the only way that I would sleep peacefully. Chelsea was safe now, and that thought made me smile.
Steven was dead. The three shots to the heart were too much for him to shift into his wolf. He was dead before his body hit the floor. The man had obviously been disturbed. He had not even tried to shoot Chelsea in the heart and for that I was grateful. It had taken her too long to shift, and she would have already been dead had the bullet hit her heart.
A shudder ran through my body at that thought. I had not been exaggerating when I told Chelsea that if she died it would kill me. That’s just the way it was with mates. Her death probably would have driven me insane, or even to commit suicide. Now that I had found her, there was no way that I would be able to live without her.
I nudged her snout and knew that she was fast asleep. Then I laid my chin over her neck and closed my eyes. She was safe now and she was going to live. With that thought, I fell asleep quickly.
I woke to the click of the bedroom door opening. Looking up, I saw Brady walking into the room. There was a soft light coming in the windows, so I knew that it was early morning.
“I took care of the body. Richard wanted to help, but with his position, I didn’t let him near it,” he said softly, and I dipped my head in understanding.
“Steven was correct. Richard confirmed it this morning. His father was arrested for Marissa’s murder. The human committee was contacted, and they have agreed to turn him over to the council for punishment. As you know, the punishment for murder of an innocent is death,” Brady continued.
I was filled with satisfaction at his words. There was nothing that I would love more than to shred the bastard to pieces, but I knew that it would be taken care of.
“I have also spoken with the council about what happened here. They confirm our actions and agree that it was done in self-defense. There will be no other action taken. Chelsea is safe,” he continued.
This was the best news. Chelsea was finally safe. The more I thought about it, the more I could not wait to get to Kansas City and pack up her things. I needed her here with me, and until her whole life was here, she would not feel completely at home.
Chapter 19
Chelsea
When I opened my eyes, I felt a dull ache in my chest. I reached up to touch the spot, but that’s when I realized that I didn’t have hands. Two furry legs stretched out in front of me, and I struggled to sit up as panic welled up inside me.
“Chelsea, lie still. Don’t move around. You are safe,” I heard.
It was Zeke’s voice, but I had heard it in my head. It was similar to when I had been wearing the headphones in the helicopter, only this time, I wasn’t wearing any headphones. I closed my eyes tightly.
“I’m scared,” I told him, unable to speak with my mouth but reaching out to him in the same place in my mind where his voice had been.
“I know you are, Chelsea, and I’m sorry that your first change was like this.
