Darlinā was always a lone wolf.
Sometimes Sam thought he needed them more than they needed him. They were always independent, often only calling him when things got dire and potentially life threatening, much to his dismay.
Sam once thought of himself as sort of a lone wolf as well. But quite early on he found himself worrying about Darlinā all the time, picking up his phone just to check if they texted saying they needed emergency healing again.
But more than that, spending time with them was⦠nice. He wasnāt one to sought out company. But somehow with them he didnāt mind it. More than that, he quite liked it. They were quiet in their own way, but in a way that he understood.
He found himself drawn to them. How they always ran headfirst into trouble if it meant they could save someone else. How they had a wild side to them, spending more time as a wolf than he saw the other members of the pack. How they had a gentle side too, one that they slowly revealed to him over time.
Slowly, he realised that Darlinā needed him too. It wasnāt a secret anymore that he loved it when they finally relied on him, even in moments that werenāt life or death. They cried in his arms after Quinn stripped them bare and poured out their worst memories. They smiled when they ate his cooking, cheeks full as they chewed happily. They shyly joined him on the couch during late nights when they couldnāt sleep and he was working on some real estate stuff for William.
Sometimes heād look back at their old photos and note with joy and a selfish sense of pride at how they changed (because of him). Back then they were thinner, paler, only caring for themself the bare minimum that was necessary to survive. They were a lone wolf. That was all they could afford to care about. Now their cheeks are fuller, their muscles are stronger, and they have smile lines permanently etched into their beautiful face that shine when they see him and light up.
āIāve never seen them like this.ā, he remembered David saying to him once, āThey must really love you.ā
Sam watched them as they laughed with the alpha and betaās mates, heart swelling at the words.
It came to a point where Sam couldnāt imagine what life was like before them anymore. He didnāt want to. It felt like life began when they entered his life, when everything finally made sense, and when he woke up each day feeling like he had purpose.
Life for him would end when they are gone.
Resting against the tree that still thrummed with the remnants of their magic, Sam realised he still needed Darlinā.
So much so that the rising sunās warmth felt like their embrace. He always loved it when they came trotting in after a good run out in the sun, their fluffy fur warm as they nuzzled into him and curled in his lap.
He craved it like he craved them.
So when the time came, he welcomed the warmth with open arms.
Death didnāt feel scary when it meant he could join them.
The lone wolf wouldnāt be alone anymore.