Picture: Alex's wolf hiding behind the bushes. I can't stop looking at this picture because come on, the big bad wolf looks scared and too cute to eat somebody alive ^^

MALIK'S POV

I wait patiently as Alex goes behind a bush to undress, as if I hadn't seen it all already, as if I hadn't been exploring his hidden cavern with my tongue and fingers, on that blessful day when he had the genius idea to shove a magic sex toy up his ass.

With him out of my sight, I finally let my mask slips, leaning heavily against the nearest tree as I start caressing my thighs up and down, a gesture that I do when I'm feeling stressed - I know folks, I know it looks weird, my brother Killian always makes sure to tease me about it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't want to hide from my mate. The thing is, shifting in front of me is a huge step for him, and I don't want to make him feel even more nervous than he already is by showing him my own insecurities.

I am very proud of him, and delighted that he is finally opening to me, but I am also scared. I actually spent an afternoon in my grandmother's Library a few days ago and the books I found about werewolves were the confirmation of what I already feared.

It's very unhealthy and can even be dangerous for a werewolf to only stay in one form. The most dangerous thing for the werewol is to stay in their animal form, as it can lead the wolf to become feral. If such a thing happens, then the possibility for the werewolf to shift back to human is almost non-existant, and it is very likely that the wolf will be killed sooner or later, either by other wolf packs or by human who feel, and rightly so, threatened by their existence.

It doesn't mean that it is no big deal for a werewolf to stay all the time in their human form, though. I haven't been able to find much about it, since in most cases werewolves prefer to be in their animal forms, but the few pages about it emphasized the fact that it is not natural for a werewolf to remain in their human form all the time, and that it can lead to severe depression, physical weakness, schizophrenia and even suicidal attempts.

To say that I'm relieved that my mate will shift in a mere moment would be the biggest understatement of the century, although he did say that for a long time he was forced to remain human, because his wolf wouldn't show up anymore after he betrayed his best friend and was banned from his pack. It wasn't by choice that he stopped shifting.

He also told me that he could sense his wolf again shortly after he arrived on the Island, making me wonder if the returnal of his wolf is linked to the presence of his mate, although we only found out about the mating bond after I bit him. He still didn't shift, though, because he was scared to do so, which is understable for a werewolf living on an Island ruled by vampires.

But things are different now. We are currently in a clearing, in a secluded place and even if someone has the bad idea to come here, well, I am here too, and I would never let anyone hurt my mate.

To sum it up, I am relieved and excited to meet Alex's wolf, but also very concerned - apparently, the longer a werewolf goes without shifting, the more painful the shifting process will be. There is also the fact that I haven't met a werewolf in their animal form since my mum was slaughtered, and I am afraid of my own reactions.

Like I said, I would never hurt Alex physically, but what if I end up hurting him emotionnally by the way I react to his animal appearance?

I don't have time to linger on these depressing thoughts, because a sudden cry of pain has me on my feet in a flash. I am already taking a few steps toward the direction of the cry, before remembering my mate strict orders - whatever happens, I must stay away from him until he decides to come near me. He said I wouldn't be able to do anything to alleviate the pain of the shift anyway, and that I could make things even worst by touching him. He also stressed the fact that he would want to die if I was to see him in that state, when he is no longer a human but not fully a wolf yet.

So, I wait, barely refraining myself as my nails start breaking the tender skin of my palms, wincing when I unintentionally make my lower lip bleed by biting it too hard. Hearing my mate's inhuman screams without being able to do anything to help is the worst form of torture and my shaking worsens as minutes go by at an excruciatingly slow pace. Eventually, his screams turn into pitiful wails, which turn into muffled sobs.

Then, silence falls over the small patch of the clearing where I brought my mate.

I'm now pacing widly, not sure if this lack of sounds is a good sign or not. At least, it means that my mate is no longer suffering, but what if he fainted, or worst?

What should I do? Should I disobey his orders and go make sure that he is doing okay? I don't want to anger him, but I haven't been so stressed out in my entire life. Forget about the immortality part, I am sure I will have white hair by the end of the day.

I yell in surprise as something wet suddenly touches the back of my wrist, making the gray wolf jump in fright, before he quickly disappears behind the bush.

So that's Alex's wolf - yes, I've always been a perceptive boy.

I didn't have time to take a good look at him, though. I shouldn't have reacted that way, but I didn't hear him coming and he took me by surprise.

I sit back against the tree, taking in deep breaths in hope to ease my heart, which has been sent to overdrive at the sight of the wolf.

After a while, I can breath normally again, but when Alex's wolf hasn't made a reapparance, I start to feel uncomfortable, as I slowly put two and two together.

I guess he is even more scared than I do. He must think that I hate him now, and that's why he hasn't showed up again. Or maybe he just thinks I am afraid of him, and doesn't want me to run away.

What's the name of my mate's wolf? I wonder, and immediately hear the response loud and clear in my mind, as the sound of light footsteps make me turn my head on the right.

Oren.

Oren. Somehow it fits him, I think to myself, as I watch in awe the pair of glowing yellow eyes that observe me warily from behind the bush.

"Oren?" I try hesitantly.

Nothing.

"Oren?" I try again, this time in a less shaky voice. "Oren, please come here. I am sorry I reacted like this. You surprised me but I am no longer scared, I promise. I am fine and I want to see you. Please, come closer"

Still nothing, until - something.

The timid wolf takes a few more steps forward, not enough that I can see him clearly, but enough for me to start distinguishing his features, as well as his front legs.

It wouldn't be correct to say that my mate's wolf is astonishingly beautiful, with a fur as white as the driven snow and amber eyes that every human being would dream of having.

To most people, Oren would look like a fairly common wolf, slightly bigger than the medium size, maybe, with a grey and slightly dirty fur.

To me, he is perfect, even more so as he reminds me so much of Alex. My mate doesn't have wolfish features, of course not, but Oren's eyes remind me of Alex, although Alex has hazel eyes and the wolf has yellow ones.

When our eyes met, I could see Alex. These eyes show everything that constitute Alex: a very clever mind, a tormented soul, a heart aching for affection.

The underlying fear of hurting the ones he loves.

I don't know if Oren is naturally more open than Alex, or if I can just read him more easily because Alex and I have become very close, but somehow, I know everything that he is feeling, and more.

So much fear in those clever eyes. A fear that is thousand times worst than mine.

Time to stop being afraid and to meet my mate's wolf, I decide as I open my arms wide, before calling him again in a soft voice I didn't know I even possess.

"Oren? Please"

I stop talking after this, patiently waiting for his fears to ease.

Take your time, pup. I am a very patient man.

I hold my breath when finally, finally, his figure emerges from the bushes. He is a bit on the skinny side, but other than that, he looks strong enough and healthier than I expected.

I have never seen a wolf so considerate, I tell myself, as I watch with amusement the wolf advancing toward me at a snail's pace, looking at me closely to make sure I am not internally freaking out.

When he is close enough for me to touch him, I open my arms again, this time saying out loud:

"Come here, pup"

It seems that my simple words broke something in him because he lets out the most painful wail I have ever heard, before rushing forward and gingerly climbing on my laps, shattering my heart in the process.

He is a bit heavy but I would rather die than complaining, not when he is licking the crook of my neck, as I hold him close to me, both of my arms wrapped securely around his back.

How could I have ever thought that I would be afraid of him? Oren is a part of my mate, and doesn't have an ounce of hostility in him.

"Both you and Alex have been really lonely, huh?" I ask softly, and he only whines in response, nudging me with his snout when I so much as stop petting him for a few seconds.

Oren. Alex. Oren. Alex. Oren is more open in his reactions than Alex, but Oren is a part of Alex.

I feel even closer to my mate now that I've met Oren, and after Alex and I complete the bonding, he will be mine and I will he his.

I look down and let out a surprised laugh at the sigh of Oren now lying on his back, looking at me with a pleading expression.

"Someone wants a belly rub, huh?" I ask teasingly, but the wolf doesn't seem offended, if anything, his expression turn even more eager.

"Alright, pup" I easily agree, resting my palm on the warm and vulnerable skin of his belly. "You're so much more honest than Alex, you know. I will never let him forget that his wolf enjoys belly rubs"

Woof!

"Alright, alright. Here we go." I coo, as I start rubbing him, much to both of our delight.

I wish I had thought to bring a brush with me. His fur is a bit messy, and I am sure he would have enjoy being brushed. Oren is craving for my touches, as far as I can tell. He is also incredibly soft and obedient, making me wonder if maybe Alex is more submissive than I suspected. Maybe he himself isn't aware of how far his submission goes, but I guess we will have time to explore this part of his personnality together - preferrably in the intimacy of my bedroom.

"You're purring! Don't look at me sheepishly, Oren, I heard you! Oh, my God, you remind me of a cat - Ouch! Okay, okay, you're not a cat! You're a big, scarry bad wolf! Happy, now? "

We spend the most delightful afternoon, cuddling, sleeping and even playing. When the sun goes down and it is time for him to shift back into human, Oren gives me a sad look, making him gently grip his head, before telling him seriously:

"Come on, don't give me those sad puppy eyes. Now that he has done it once, Alex will shift more often, I'm sure of it. I promise we will meet again soon, little wolf. Don't be too hard on your human, okay? He might have done things that you condemn, but he is a good man with a beautiful soul."

Oren nods at my words, giving me a guilty look that quickly disappears with a small kiss on top of his head.

"That's alright, you're forgiven, pup. I know it was difficult for both of you. I am very happy that we met, and I will see you again soon"

He gives me one last lick, before disappearing again behind the bushes, making me roll my eyes - what's with this modesty? He really is Alex's wolf!

Thankfully, the shifting process is much easier this time, and after a few painful cries that still makes my chest tightens, Alex is standing in front of me, looking exhausted but happy.

I am quick to engulf him in a hug that we both know was much-needed, before frowning as I notice his tense expression.

"What is it, little Alex? I thought you would be happy that I finally got to meet Oren and things went so well. I feel like we are even closer to each other now."

He finally looks up at me, nodding before adverting his eyes guiltily.

"What is it, pup?"

"Hum, Malik, I feel like I should tell you something - I don't know how, though"

"Just tell me, Alex. You're starting to scare me. No need to sugarcoat anything, I am a big boy, I can take it"

"Right. So, huh, did you know that your brother was a murderer?"

"WHAT?"

"Shit, I - I didn't mean to say it like that."

A/N: Hello, lovelies! This update is one day late, because I was too lazy yesterday and didn't get anything done apart from spending the whole day reading bxb stories on wattpad ~sigh in disappointment at myself.

Hope you enjoy this little bonding time between Malik & Oren, because, as you can probably tell based on the ending, next chapter will be a bit more heavy!

Good luck to those who have to go to work, and I wish you all a great week xx