Page 19 of Hart's Redemption

He shook his head again and staggered back another step.

"Don't do this," I pleaded.

His foot slipped on some leaves, but he maintained his balance and kept retreating. I saw it in his eyes the moment the flight instinct took hold.

"Wait!" Too late, Josh turned and bolted. "Fuck," I shouted and took off after him. Once again, my delay gave him all the head start he needed. Fucker was stupid fast, and he hadn't even turned yet, which he would.

I have to find him before he does.

It was pointless to call after him, so I didn't bother. Josh knew how to shake a tracker like nobody’s business. All I could do was pray that he was too distraught to do it right now. At last, I heard the telltale pained moans of a shifting werewolf. I altered course and emerged in a small field.

Josh lay panting through the final phases of his transition in the dewy grass, his black coat shining like a raven's wing beneath the moonlight. His sides rose and fell in ragged breaths. Then he heaved himself to his feet and met my gaze. He took a step, and his leg threatened to give out.

Thank the goddess, he's exhausted.

"Josh, please listen to me."

He bared his teeth, and a growl rolled across the field to reach me where I hovered on the tree line. His hackles rose, making him appear twice his size as he lowered his head and continued to produce the ominous sound.

What do I do? The hospital will never let him leave now.

I sighed and slid to the ground, defeated. "I know what I said."

His tail lashed behind him.

"It's not that I didn't want you. I was... scared. It was new and sudden, and I hadn't anticipated that, least of all with you." Too late, I realized that was the wrong thing to say.

His growl lowered another octave.

I smacked my head against the tree at my back.

All I’m doing is making it worse. I can’t go back to that house alone again. I just can’t.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the wave of hopelessness that crashed over me. It took everything I had not to fall apart right there. I’d waited and prayed to get him back, if only for a night. Wish granted. One night and now he was gone again, his mind ravaged by moonlight and his body consumed with anger.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed before I noted that his threat had faded. Not sure what I would find or even if he was still there, I chanced a look. He sat twenty paces away, glaring at me, the moon glittering on his damp fur.

"I always knew you'd make a beautiful wolf."

His lip curled, exposing a sharp canine.

"It's twisted, I know, but you've always been beautiful. I didn't expect this to be any different."

He dropped the snarl and padded over, still keeping his distance.

"I didn't tell you because I didn't think you could ever feel the same. I wasn't sure ‌I'd survive that."

He offered a quick huff and a short growl.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. You're a killing machine, not an actual robot. Can you blame me, though? The only side of you I'd seen was cold and distant."

His green eyes sparked in the white light.

I sighed. "I know you had your reasons. Look, can we have this conversation later? You know, when I don't have cold water up my ass?"

He offered a low growl and zero sympathy.

"You have to change back. They won't let me take you home if you can't change back on your own."