The walk back to the cabin wasn’t horrible, thanks to the decent path I was making. I wondered if that would cause a problem for Fenris, though, if anyone stumbled across it. I took out my phone to text him then remembered he was sleeping.
Instead, I texted Jenna.
Me: Did you check in on Fenris? Is he any better?
Jenna: I met him outside his house. He looked less confrontational and apologized for yelling. I followed him in to make sure he actually went to bed.
Me: I’m not sure if I should be impressed or worried that he actually listened.
Jenna: Maybe a little bit of both. His dad was there. When he saw me, he got excited that Fenris had finally chosen.
Jenna: Fenris blew up and told Raiden to find a new hobby and to stop obsessing over his mateless state. Then he shut himself in his room.
Jenna: Raiden looked like he was ready to beat Fenris’s door down.
Jenna: I convinced his dad it was the pressure everyone was putting on Fenris coupled with the lack of sleep. He agreed to let him rest, but only if I stay the night too. I think he’s trying to scent condition Fenris.
Me: Scent condition?
Jenna: It’s what Aubrey was trying to do. By having her scent around him and on him all the time, she was hoping that Fenris would automatically go for her when he came into his run.
Poor Fenris. At least it was Jenna. She was nice.
Me: Good luck. I’m pretty sure he’ll appreciate the extra cuddles regardless.
I pocketed my phone and imagined Fenris’s expression when he woke up to Jenna spooning him. I could picture him reacting like me. Panicked yet desperate to be diplomatic to spare Jenna’s feelings.
Or maybe the conditioning would work, and he’d pounce.
My stomach cramped, and I whimpered.
That tingle of awareness returned before I reached the tucked away sanctuary. Hungry and worrying about Ashlyn, Fenris, the banshee songs, and whatever Adira would do next since I backed out of dinner, I wasn’t in the mood for being the mouse in a cat and mouse game. Because of that, I kept marching to the cabin. If I stopped, I wasn’t sure what I’d do to whatever was out there, toying with me.
The fire needed a bit of coaxing to take off again. As soon as I had it going, I changed into my pajamas and crawled into the cold bed, not caring if something thought to attack while I slept. If only I could sleep. My stomach continued to cramp and make loud sounds of protest, keeping me awake long enough that I added more wood to the fire twice.
Finally, exhaustion took over, and I slipped into a better dream than the one I’d had earlier.
This time, I knew what I wanted. Cakes. I’d barely thought it when the forest appeared with branches laden with triple-layered lemon cake. Blueberries dotted the meringue buttercream frosting. My mouth watered as I grabbed the first one. I didn’t shove it into my mouth but breathed it in.
The tangy sweetness of lemon burst on my tongue.
The trees shook more cakes free. Chocolate Lava. More Triple Lemon cakes. Spice cakes. The options went on, but I wanted lemon. I fed ravenously, my hunger demanding another helping as soon as I finished the first. But it didn’t seem to matter. The number of sweet treats never diminished from the branches.
Slowly, the ache in my middle eased. I didn’t stop. But I did slow enough to savor what I was consuming. Instead of only breathing in the cake, I took my time to drag my tongue through the lemon curd filling.
The world beneath me trembled, and I paused. The cake varieties vanished in an instant, leaving only lemon. Before I could wonder what was happening, a pressure settled on the back of my head.
“Feed,” the trees encouraged. “You’re safe. Take what you need.”
My hunger wanted me to listen, but that sensation on the back of my head felt wrong. I reached around to feel my hair, but nothing was there. Yet, I felt trapped, and panic rose. I struggled against the weight.
The pressure vanished.
“Shh. It’s your choice,” the trees rumbled. “Always. Forgive me.”
The trembling beneath my feet eased.
Chapter Eighteen
