Castor sighed in relief. "I was worried. I didn't want to leave you, but I think it's best they don't know I'm here."
I nodded, then yawned. It had been a long day. The stress and exhaustion were catching up to me.
"I don't want to sleep in a cage, but I guess I have no choice," I said.
Castor gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry I couldn't break the bars. But I'll stay with you overnight."
My heart skipped a beat. "You will?"
"Of course I will. What, did you expect me to leave and come back in the morning?"
I blushed. "I don't know. You just keep surprising me is all."
"In a good way?"
I thought about it before answering, but my answer was certain. "Yes."
If Castor was lying, he was doing a very good job. If not... well, I still thought he was crazy. But after my little meltdown, I realized how desperately I needed him. I couldn't bear this stress alone. Castor was the only thing between me and the poachers' terrifying whims. I dared not think about what my fate would be if Castor hadn't intervened.
Fate and fated mates... Those phrases lingered in my mind. They never meant anything to me, not after my ex used and abused them. It was easy to call someone your fated mate—it was much harder to act like you meant it.
So far, Castor was doing a better job. But I still couldn't let myself fall for him. Nothing good ever happened when I let my heart lead the way. As much as I liked Castor—especially that firm tone he took with me—it was safer to keep a wall between us.
A cold wind blew between the trees. I shivered.
Castor noticed right away. He stretched his body along the bottom half of the cage, pushing his side against the bars so his fur poked through. "It's not much, but come lie next to me."
It was awkward but I lay next to him as best I could. His fur tickled me at first, but as I grew used to it, I sighed contentedly. It was thick and dense, much warmer than my bare skin, and a welcome reprieve from the chilly wind.
"Thank you," I murmured.
Castor simply nodded.
My eyelids slipped shut. I couldn't hold them open any longer. As I drifted off, I heard the soft notes of a song from somewhere far away. I was too exhausted to recognize the melody or wonder where it was coming from. I just let it carry me to sleep.
8
Castor
Bodies work in mysterious ways.Even though I was in a dangerous situation, I had an incredibly sound sleep. Maybe it was because I'd fallen asleep next to River, my fated mate.
It was true that he didn't react the way I expected when I confessed that to him. He clearly wasn't comfortable with the term. As strange as that was for a beaver shifter, it was okay. I didn't want to pressure him, so I only referred to him that way privately and not out loud.
Sleeping next to River, my fur to his bare skin, was wonderful. We shared our body heat, overcoming the night's chill together. Despite the danger we were in, I was glad I was here with him. The thought of River going through this alone was too much to bear.
Unfortunately, the comfort didn't last.
"...hell is that?"
Something hard jabbed my side. My eyes snapped open.
Immediately I realized my mistake. How could I have been so foolish? I'd been so relaxed while sleeping next to River that I let my guard down. Now I'd blown my cover. The men knew I was here.
The two poachers stood over me, sneering with disgust. One of them held a stick which must've been what I felt poking me. It was pointed at me now like a weapon. The sharp snapping sound alerted River, who woke with a start. When he saw the men he narrowed his eyes and leaned against the back of the cage.
"It's that fucking beaver again!" one poacher said. "What is it doing here?"
"Who cares, just get it away from our cargo."
