My wolf is back on high alert, not liking the idea of leaving Callie alone after all that’s happened tonight, and I wonder how she’d feel if I watched over her home through the night as a wolf. Is it more weird or less if I’m shifted?
As if Nolan can read my mind, he suggests, “Is it alright if we stay the night? We can sleep here in the living room. With everything that’s happened tonight, I just think we… I know that I… want to be close.” He trails off, his gaze flitting back and forth between Callie and Mildred.
“If that’s something Callie wants, I’m okay with you staying,” Mildred answers.
Callie fidgets under all of our gazes, and I’m worried she’ll say no. “I, uh,” she stutters, then clears her throat. “It’s fine if you stay. I just…” She chews on her lip. “You should know, that I have nightmares sometimes, so umm, try not to freak out?”
Kaleb gives her a tender smile, the picture of understanding. “Nightmares are a natural response to the things you’ve experienced, and perhaps having us here might help if you wake from them. No matter the hour, we’ll act as reassurance that you are safe and no longer alone.”
She swallows heavily. “Okay.”
Mildred stands. “I’ll go track down some bedding for everyone.”
“I’ll help,” Kaleb offers, following her up the stairs.
Donovan gives Nolan a pointed look, before getting up and heading towards the kitchen. Nolan looks at all of us and shrugs before following him.
Callie watches them go for a moment, before sighing, “I’m tired and wired at the same time. My body feels exhausted, but I have no idea how to shut off my brain.”
“We could watch something,” Felix suggests, with a tightness around his eyes. “Still have your superhero movie repertoire to expand, or you know, TV is fine too.”
“Sure. Why not?” she replies, getting up to retrieve the remote from the coffee table on the other side of the room.
My hands curl into fists to hide their shaking. With everything that’s happened tonight, my wolf needs out. Neither one of us is good with emotional rollercoasters, and a good sniff around could set us both at ease. Problem is, I don’t know how Callie will react to my wolf.
I can hear Donovan in the kitchen with Nolan, and he’s asking if Nolan got a chance to feed at the party.
“No, but I’m fine,” Nolan murmurs back, his agitation highlighting that he’s not.
“Come on,” Donovan sighs. “You can feed from me.”
“I told you I’m fine,” he growls back.
“You’re not fine. You’re pale as fuck and having junkie grade mood swings,” Donovan grunts.
Nolan snorts. “Accusing me of mood swings is rich coming from you.”
“Let’s add, also acting like a dick,” he counters, then his voice drops low, “You agreed, no repeats of this summer…”
“I don’t remember it as all bad,” Nolan challenges.
Donovan doesn’t take the bait and keeps talking, “Hungry vampires aren’t what we need right now. Callie’s okay for the moment, so now we need to take care of you. You’re not taking, I’m offering, alright?”
“Yeah okay… thanks,” he mumbles back.
“No problem,” he replies as they head for the front door. “I don’t know why you have to be an ass about it.”
“Because nephilim are friends not food?” Nolan jokes.
“I swear to fucking god, if you say that one more time…” Donovan’s voice trails off when the door slaps closed behind them.
Callie looks up at the door, confused.
“Donovan and Nolan had something to take care of,” I explain, hoping she won’t ask for more details. “They’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” she answers, then with eyes that see too much, she focus on me. “You all right?”
I look past her face and rub at the back of my neck.Now or never.“Okay if I shift?”
