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GRIFFIN
“Good morning, indeed.” I smiled, quirking one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mind waking up like that more often.”
Emily pulled away, her eyes heavy with concern and lips pulled tight, and she stared at me, not pulling her eyes away nor saying a word.
“I was only joking,” I said, sitting up. That was when I noticed that under the blanket, I wasn’t wearing pants. Or boxers. And my shirt was gone, too. Where were my clothes? My eyes peered down to the shredded fabric on the floor, and I realized Emily had found me like this and covered me up. Which meant, I must’ve slept through the change again? It was becoming a nightly habit—one I didn’t understand, whatsoever.
“What’s going on?” Emily asked in an uneasy tone. “Did you sleep out here all night?”
I couldn’t have her worrying about me, not when I still had no idea what was going on myself. “Nah, I came back and fell asleep.”
Her expression was blank, unreadable. Did she believe me? I doubted, based on the way she crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.
“You’re telling me, you came upstairs naked through the bar and fell asleep on the couch? And what about your clothes? Did you wear them during the change and then bring them upstairs, only to throw them on the floor?”
Shit. I hadn’t thought this through. She had already called my bluff, so instead, I fessed up. I had to remember that she was my mate, and if I wanted her, I had to trust her and treat her as such. I didn’t have to be alone anymore if I chose not to be.
“Honestly, I don’t understand it, myself. I don’t remember changing or falling asleep on the couch, but I figured I came back and crashed, and was just too tired to remember. It’s the only thing that makes sense. How else could I shift without being chained up or wrecking the place?”
Emily shook her head. “I’m not sure, but this isn’t normal, Griffin.”
Relief washed over me getting that out in the open, finally telling someone. Knowing that I wasn’t crazy because Emily had witnessed it, too. “Please, don’t tell the others,” I added. “I don’t know how they’ll react, and I don’t want to deal with anyone else right now. I’m just too drained.”
Emily’s worry hadn’t ceased, even after I opened up to her. “Do you think this is related to your illness?”
I looked away, giving her an answer—albeit a silent one. “Promise you won’t get mad, but this has been happening since I got sick. I don’t know what’s going on with me, but I’ve been waking up like I’d gone through the change while I was sleeping.”
Her arms flew into the air. “Griffin!”
“I asked you not to get mad,” I tried, failing miserably to defend myself.
Emily scoffed and crossed her arms. “Yeah, well I didn’t agree. How could you let this go on for so long without mentioning it to me? What about Morgan, does she know?”
I jerked my head back a bit, surprised she brought Morgan into it. “No, of course not,” I answered, holding my hands in front of me as if I’d been accused of committing a crime. “You’re the first person to find out. Honestly, I thought I was going crazy.”
She shook her head. “Well, you’re not. And you should have told someone, even if it was Morgan. She might know something that could help. Don’t keep things like this to yourself.”
I stared at her with a pleading expression, hoping she would keep this little secret between us. She sighed and nodded, “Fine, I won’t say anything.” I huffed out a relieved breath, and she quickly added, “But you should tell them. We can figure this out together. Remember, Griffin, you’re not alone, so quit acting like it.”
For so long, I’d been on my own. The idea that I had others to support me didn’t settle with me yet. I was still skeptical whether Cassian would have my back, or whether Ember would help me if it came down to it. For now, I’d have to trust Emily’s word.
She rose, heading toward the kitchen. “So, how are you feeling today?”
“A little better,” I answered. Remarkable as it was, I felt loads better. Not the greatest, and definitely still on the mend, but much better than I had the past week—or whenever this started. “Whatever you gave me yesterday must’ve really worked.”
Her cheeks flushed, and a smile crept across her lips. She bashfully tucked her hair behind her ears, muttering something that I think was, “that’s good.” My heartbeat picked up at her timid reaction, and I couldn’t stop myself from piling on the compliments—telling her she’s a good witch, and even Morgan’s stuff didn’t help me like hers, and I’d had it every night.
By the end of my spiel, she was holding back her laughter, an amused expression covering the shy one that was present moments before. My wolf could sense that she was pleased. But it was true. Morgan had been making me herbal drinks every night to alleviate the symptoms, yet it barely worked. Aside from the party, it never helped much besides taking the pressure from a pounding to a knocking.
But Emily’s drink made the feverish flush of my cheeks return to normal; the rest of my pale face gained color where it had been lacking. I could stand without feeling dizzy and sit up without wanting to lie back down.
Maybe it was the bond that made me feel better, or maybe she really was a powerful witch. Either way, I was filled with comfort and pride knowing that she was in my kitchen, taking care of me. It felt nice to have someone genuinely concerned about my well-being.
Last night was the first night since I’d come back to my apartment that Morgan hadn’t stayed with me. She was quick to leave after I turned down her drink—no doubt feeling rejected. I wouldn’t be surprised if she felt replaced by Emily, but I didn’t know what to tell her. I felt bad about turning her drink away, but it wasn’t anything personal.
But to her it probably was.
It had become a routine to make me an herbal tea every night. Though the tradition was new, it meant something to her. She’d stayed with me, night after night, keeping me company and hanging out like we used to. Though, it wasn’t like it used to be. Something had changed. I had changed.
