𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 ⸙

2.8༊*·˚

Zayn loved the mud in his claws and the earthy smells. He loved letting his tongue free when he ran, and he enjoyed pressing his nose to the ground as he moved, picking up the many different smells. Zayn then stopped and looked at the trees looming above the fence. He longed to go further and run harder routes and smell different animals and different trees. Zayn longed for freedom.

Then it hit him.

He really was living his life in fear and so was every other pack in the north. Zayn wouldn't leave his Packhouse because he feared the Southern Alpha would be close and watching and ready to pounce.

Zayn feared for Liam and his mother and his friends and his pack. His entire existence was fear.

Well shit, Zayn thought, digging black claws into the dirt. He whined lowly and faced the Packhouse.

Liam sat in the distance with a book. Zayn had taken him from one trap and placed him in another. He didn't want that life for Liam. He wanted to explore with him, let him meet other packs and experience what it was really like to be in a werewolf's world.

Hiding wasn't normal for wolves, but Zayn was paranoid, just like his father. Why was he so paranoid? I need to find that journal.

Zayn bounced his way back to Liam. He was going to shift and drag Liam to the office, but Liam was sitting so peacefully on the grass, and he was so lost in his book that he hadn't notice Zayn standing next to him. So Zayn laid down and nuzzled his head into Liam's thigh.

Zayn soon felt Liam's fingers in his fur and smoothing over his ears absentmindedly. Zayn enjoyed the motion, and he soon closed his eyes to focus further on his mate's touch.

Liam glanced from his book when Zayn started falling asleep. Liam felt it, somehow. When Zayn was asleep it was like a part of him went to sleep too. Liam moved around and nestled into Zayn. The wolf lay on his side, and Liam rested his back on Zayn's side.

His mate didn't even stir.

Zayn sometimes slept through the night in his wolf form. On cold winter nights, Liam preferred to hug a warm wolf.

Liam had read almost one hundred pages of his book before Zayn stretched his four legs. He lifted his head wearily and yawned. A sweet and short howl escaped. Zayn's red eyes faced Liam who smiled.

"Nice nap?" Liam asked, rubbing Zayn's head enthusiastically.

Zayn nodded and sat up. He was taller than Liam when Liam was sitting too. Zayn sat proudly as Liam rubbed the fur around his neck. Zayn tried to lick Liam's face, but his mate wasn't fond and always dodged him.

"Shall we look for the journal?" Liam asked.

He laid back on the grass and watched Zayn shift. The more times he watched, the less the sound of bones cracking made his stomach flip. Liam was fascinated by how it happened, though he hated seeing Zayn grimace from the unbearable pain.

Still, Liam watched as Zayn's grey jumper and black jeans returned. His paws turned to shoes and hands and his fur turned to skin. His features that Liam adored returned, including his brown eyes, defined jaw, the silver tuft of hair among the black, the little scar across the bridge of his nose, and his lips that shaped his hostility or amusement or occasionally genuine happiness.

"Hi," Liam smiled. He loved the way Zayn's eyes changed when they looked at him like they were filling to the brim with adoration.

"Hi" Zayn kissed his forehead, then laid next to him on the grass. They stared at the blue sky and the few fluffy white clouds floating by.