The snow pummeled the windshield in thick white sheets, forcing Krevan to creep along the road."Can you even see out there?"
"Dark I can handle.This—" he gestured at the swirling whiteness,"—is another matter."
"Will we make it to town?"
"Yes."His knuckles relaxed slightly on the steering wheel."The vehicle has a guidance system."
Ancelin studied his tense profile."Are you angry with me?”
"No, sweet girl."His voice softened as he slowed the vehicle and turned to her."I'm worried.This storm—it's worse than the forecasts.It’s going to be longer om duration, colder in temperature than I've ever seen here.We're burning through power cells faster than I calculated.That's why we need to reach Krammer in Coti.He's holding four cells for us."He shook his head."I despise this cold.Absolutely loathe it."
"Is it my fault?The power usage?"
"Not at all.Your cooking is worth every watt—much better than my bland meals.Plus, we've had visitors.Before you, it was just me.Now there's hot water for two, those long showers together..."His mouth quirked up."I'm not complaining about those.I want us to be comfortable.I'm just getting what we need to stay that way."
Ancelin's fingers found his hand."Without you, I'd be dead on this planet.I came here knowing nothing—not about power cells, generators, any of it.When I landed on Verrian, I think I was running toward danger, not caring what happened to me."
"This planet devours the vulnerable.When I found you alone that day..."His jaw tightened, eyes darkening at the memory."Every instinct screamed to shield you."He traced her cheekbone with his thumb, voice dropping to a near-whisper."We collided like stars, didn't we?So quickly.And yes, you're my mate—but I need more than biology between us."His fingers trembled slightly against her skin."I don't want your addiction or gratitude.I want your choice.Your heart."
"Krevan, you know that I love you, and I may be addicted to you, too."Ancelin's fingers traced lazy circles on his muscular thigh, the fabric of his pants rough beneath her fingertips."Why are you feeling insecure today?"she asked, her playful tone shifting to concern.
"I'm not insecure," he snapped, a muscle jumping in his temple.Krevan's mercurial mood darkened like the storm clouds gathering outside.His massive hands gripped the steering wheel.
The vehicle lurched forward with a mechanical groan."What's gotten into you today?"Ancelin asked, studying the sharp angles of his profile against the slate-gray sky.
“The cold.”Krevan's jaw clenched like a vise as he squinted through the windshield, where fat snowflakes splattered and melted into rivulets.By the time they reached Coti, the small town's central lot resembled a graveyard of snow-crusted vehicles half-buried in pristine drifts.Without a word, Krevan's powerful arms scooped her from her seat before her boots could even brush the snow-packed ground.
"I can walk," she protested, her breath forming crystalline clouds between them, but he carried her through knee-high drifts and into Krammer's store, where the sudden warmth flushed her cheeks as dozens of curious eyes, some human, some decidedly alien, tracked their dramatic entrance.
Inside, he set her down and strode to the counter."Krammer.Now," he said, each syllable sharp as ice.
The clerk scurried away, returning moments later with Carl Krammer."Got your cells right here," Krammer said, unfazed by Krevan's demeanor."Need anything else?"
Krevan thrust a list forward.“I need these things.”Then turned to Ancelin, his voice softening slightly."Choose what you want.We might be homebound for weeks."
She watched his profile—the muscle jumping in his jaw, the predatory alertness in his stance.The other customers gave him a wide berth, and Ancelin understood why.Even at half-strength, his intensity could make hardened men step back.
Ancelin slipped her handwritten list to Krevan, who passed it to Krammer without a glance.The shopkeeper signaled a clerk, who scurried off to collect their items while other customers stood by their own needs momentarily forgotten in Krevan's presence.
"Perfect timing," Krevan muttered."We still need to swing by the hardware store for plastican and reinforcement materials."He stalked after Krammer through the packed store, with Ancelin trailing in the wake he created.Bodies shifted instinctively away from his broad shoulders and stern expression.Once Krammer had bundled their supplies, Ancelin found a thicker coat, and put it on.
“Add this to our bill.”Ancelin zipped the coat up."Tell Katie I said hi!Stay warm!"Ancelin called over her shoulder to Krammer as she hurried after Krevan.The store was packed with anxious shoppers preparing for the storm.She lost sight of Krevan's broad back for a moment as a cluster of people shifted between them.
A sudden collision knocked her sideways.A burly man, red-faced and arguing with two others, had backed directly into her.Pain shot through her foot as his heavy boot crushed her toes.
"Watch it!"he snarled, not even fully turning."People trying to walk here."
Before she could steady herself, Krevan materialized.His hand closed around the man's throat, lifting him until his boots dangled above the floor.
"You touched what's mine," Krevan said, each word precise and deadly quiet.The entire store fell silent."Apologize."
"Didn't—see—sorry," the man gasped, face purpling.
"Krevan, please.I'm okay."She touched his arm.“It was an accident.”
He released his grip.The man crumpled to the floor, gasping.Without a word, Krevan gathered Ancelin into his arms and carried her outside to their vehicle.
"Didn't we need supplies from the hardware store?"she asked, watching the muscle in his jaw twitch.
