“Couple hours past midnight, yeah.” The sky above is pitch black, the stars a scattering of twinkling lights. The temperature is near freezing without the sun, and the clearing has become an area of white clouds puffed from everyone’s breath. “We’re almost done.”
“Might not make it home.” Another yawn, this time sending her stumbling into my side.
I keep her upright, signalling to Xander. “Gather everyone. We’re done here. Carina’s tired.”
“Just like that, huh?” Holly winks but before I have a chance to yell at her, she disappears to help.
“Don’t. I’m fine. Tired, but I’ll make it. It’s your thing; I’m not even supposed to be here. Worst case, I’ll find a tree to nap on ’til you’re done.”
Like that’ll fucking happen.
With my arm around her waist, I turn her towards the exit. Her steps are sluggish, making me wonder how long she’s been tired but hiding it. We wait for the others to gather before quickly shifting, packing, and then starting off. Carina’s on my back and Holly remains beside me to watch her. It isn’t long before she whines to gain my attention and then briefly shuts her eyes, which I take to mean Carina has fallen asleep.
It’s another few kilometres before Carina’s grip loosens and her body weight begins sliding down my side. I slam to an abrupt stop before she can be hurt, shifting to human form to catch her.
“Whoa.” She rubs her eyes, leaning heavily on me. “Think I fell asleep.”
We still have hours until we reach camp, and I curse myself for not thinking any of this through. Of course, she has greater sleep needs than us and wouldn’t have made it the entire trip.Now, it’s the middle of the night, freezing, and there’s a partially asleep woman relying on me.
“Go on,” I order the others. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
The others take off, and Conan drops the bag my shorts are inside to the ground. Xander lingers until last, but I ignore the amused look present even through the fur and snout.
“What’s happening?” she mumbles, yawning into my chest.
“We’ll spend the night in a nearby cave.”
“No, I’ll be fine on your back. You probably don’t want to sleep out here all night.” She pushes into my side to straighten, but her partially lowered lids and pale skin is enough to be concerning.
“I don’t care where we sleep, as long as you’re not passing out on my back. It’s not safe.”
“I’ll be fine,” she repeats around another yawn, undoing all her work to convince me otherwise.
Ignoring her, I walk her east, to where there’s a cave not usually inhabited by other life. We’ve used it on the occasional trip, though we’re not on our territory.
She’s a bit slow so I swing her up into my arms bridal style, trying to ignore the way she fits perfectly. In my hoodie, in my arms, her hair spread on my bicep while making my chest her pillow… It’s a sight to relive when she’s gone.
I reach the cave and rest her on the ground outside before ensuring inside is animal-free. Then I carry her in, reaching the furthest end possible. There isn’t a place to make a fire, and the cave isn’t very recessed, but it is shelter until the sun rises so we can complete the trip.
She makes a noise when I lower to the ground, taking the furthest corner from the entrance and place her between me and the wall. I pull the hood over her head and curl her legs into my side to give her the best chance to stay warm.
She mumbles sleepily and a finger flicks straight from the sleeve. Suddenly, heat settles upon my shoulders like a blanket resting. “A charm.”
I hate magick because now it doesn’t give me as good a reason to hold her, but until she demands being released, I won’t.
“I can shift. My fur will warm you.”
“Mm, no.” She buries her face into my neck and breathes deeply; every little act is a step away from sanity. “Stay. This is perfect.”
Assuming she’s passed back out, I let my head fall against the wall beside hers, only planning to partially rest. Wolves will sense me and stay away, but foxes and bears might be tempted, and I’ll be damned if she’s in any sort of danger tonight.
So when she speaks, I’m not only startled to find her awake, but torn by what she chooses to say. “Only a day left. I’m scared, Ryder. The ways in which we turn Dark…that’s what I’m frightened of. I won’t bemeany longer.”
Her face turns into my neck, and it’s not that action that breaks me, but the single tear dripping down her cheek. That tiny drop snares me with the most precarious spell possible and before I fully understand my actions, I return her to my lap but rearrange her legs on either side of me. Like this, she’s seated on me, her core pressed against my cock, her chest covered by my hoodie, and her head over my heart.
I don’t give a fuck about the wolf whining in pleasure. This is all for her, not us.
My arms band her waist, a hand to the back of her head, and I hug her tight enough she’ll feel me long after Twilight Grove comes; the same way my soul will always remember her. Her breaths match the beat of my heart, and I count each one, listening for the hitch.
