Fine, let me get this over with.
I take a deep breath and sigh, knowing that my wolf's needs come first. We stand up slowly, rub up against his leg, and make our way over to him, our fur a soothing balm for his angry emotions. I can feel his body shaking with tension as we circle around him, finally coming to a stop in front of him and gazing up into his tear-filled eyes.
He takes a few deep breaths, his sadness and anger momentarily replaced by a sense of calm, as he reaches out to run his hand through our fur behind my ear. My wolf purrs, and I can feel her eyes drifting closed as she savors the gentle touch. The guy's weight shifts, and we open our eyes to see him kneeling in front of us, his hands cradling my wolf's face as he looks into our eyes.
“I'm so sorry, Sky. I know I can't undo what I did or make up for it, but I'm going to try. I thought if I just did what my dad asked and stayed away, it would take his focus off of you, but that backfired. I had no idea how bad it was, because I put blinders on and hoped everything was okay since you never complained or asked for anything. But that wasn't because everything was fine, was it?” My wolf shakes her head, and his tears continue to fall.
“I don't need details if you don't want to share, but I need to know the worst, Sky. Why do you have scars that never healed properly? Why does it seem like you're a different person at school than on the training field or when you're just with us?”
His words are sincere, and I can sense his genuine desire to understand the toll his actions took on me. So, I'll let them in, just a little. I'll give them enough to understand the consequences of their neglect, but I won't give them the power to relive my trauma.
I take another deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. This is what my wolf advises: I should teach them, show them the impact of their actions. Perhaps some graphic descriptions will help them comprehend the pain they've caused.
Fine. I'll tell them the story, but I'll do it my way, in my own time. I glance at the guys, who are hovering around us, eager to help. "I need some clothes, please. This will be easier to explain in human form. Sierra deserves to hear this directly from me."
Before I finish, oversized t-shirts appear in front of me, courtesy of my wolf's quick thinking. She gently takes one in her teeth, inhales deeply, and shifts behind a tree. I follow, discarding my fur and pulling on the shirt. It's enormous, but I'm grateful for the simplicity of human form.
I sit on a nearby log, staring into the fire, as I prepare to share my story. I won't look at them while I do, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. This isn't about placing blame; it's about making sure they understand the damage their actions caused and that they can work to be better friends in the future.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself to relive the memories. I'll tell them the truth, but I won't surrender to my emotions. I'm strong enough to face this, for myself and for my wolf.
