"What was that smile for? It was beautiful." Easton shocks me by asking.
It takes me several moments to piece together an answer that won't give anything away. "Just a happy thought about how things mean something to everyone. Torben, it's the honey fromthe giant bees. Khal is physical contact. You, it's when I don't hide how smart I am and say things that shut people up." I smile again and laugh a little. "Diaval, it's his hoard, his most valued possession, never far from him." I watch as his finger taps the mug and the corner of his mouth ticks up for a brief moment.
"Precious, a dragon's hoard is enormous. He can't possibly bring it with him." Khal threads his fingers through my hair.
"What he considers his hoard is relevant. It can be a room full of treasure or as small as a thimble. Whatever his dragon focuses on as its prized possession is the only thing in its world that matters."
As I speak what I know to be the truth, Diaval looks up, and his eyes shift to those of his dragon. Man and beast stare at me openly, and he smiles. "For not being a dragon, you have a better grasp of how things work than most. Good girl..." He slides more bacon over to me and returns to studying the maps. For whatever reason, his praise makes butterflies flutter in my stomach.
Torben reaches over and pulls me off Khal's lap and onto his. His bear rumbles to me, and I sigh. I feel safe and secure in his arms. Leaning back, I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. His rich scent of sandalwood envelops me, and I melt in his embrace.
"Don't forget, little wolf." He pulls his phone out, making me open my eyes. On the calendar, it's marked that I need to get my birth control tincture for next week. I'm so glad my gentle giant keeps track of these things.
"Guys, we need to stop at the herbalist before we head out." Torben says, and everyone looks at me.
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. "I need a refill for my birth control. Last thing we need is for me to go into full-blown heat on our adventure." Torben kisses my cheek and gives me a hug, comforting me. He knows I want a big family someday. If I wasn't afraid of almost getting murdered at every turn, I would start now.
"The herbalist is the first stop then. After that, we'll depart." Easton offers.
"Let's kill two birds with one stone. Torben, take Feray to the store while the guys and I get everything settled here." Diaval slides a credit card across the table to us. "Buy as much as the herbalist has in stock. We don't know what lies ahead. I would hate for Feray to be put in danger over her heat." Diaval pauses between sentences as he stares at my hand moving forward for the card.
"Thank you." I slip off Torben's lap to go get changed.
I pause at Diaval's side and look up into his eyes. The green in his hazel eyes seems to burn. With him sitting, he's just slightly taller than I am. Leaning in, I kiss his cheek, then head to the bedroom to get changed.
Onto our next adventure, I suppose.
Chapter 10
Torben
Feray'sbold decision to venture into the dragon's den wasn't lost on any of us. As she emerges from Diaval's room after changing, a radiant smile graces her face, flooding the room with her warmth. Her arrival has a magnetic effect on the rest of the group, making us pause to admire her vibrant spirit.
"Be careful," Easton advises, a fond smile gracing his lips as he presses them to Feray's forehead. Her smile in response is all the reassurance he needs—their connection clear in the way they gaze at each other.
Diaval, ever the stoic and grumpy one, makes his way to Feray next. He meticulously adjusts a few stray strands of hair and gives her some essential supplies—a water bottle and a handful of snack sticks. His fingers linger under her chin, gently lifting it with his index finger while his thumb rests atop her lower lip. The unspoken affection in the air is undeniable, and it gives me hope for the grumpy bastard. Diaval seals his care with a kiss on Feray's forehead, passing her to Khal.
Khal, in his playful nature, can't resist a bit of levity. He scoops Feray up into his arms, spinning her in a joyful circle before entrusting her to my care.
"I'll probably be asleep in the front seat by the time you get to the car," he teases. "Can you grab a few spray bottles of Shed Spray? It's almost time for my shift to shed his skin." Feray's laughter echoes through the room. Her joy makes me truly appreciate the bonds forged among us during these trying times.
As I agree to Khal's request and make a mental note to retrieve the shed spray, Feray's departure marks the beginning of a new adventure. I can't help but feel a sense of hope about our unconventional family. Feray's small notebook makes a reappearance, and she adds the shed spray to her ever-growing list with a mischievous grin. "Yup, just added it to my list. See everyone soon!" Her cheerful farewell mingles with the last words of our makeshift family as they wish her well. With swift efficiency, Feray seizes my hand and whisks me out the door, her eagerness contagious and setting the morning's tone.
The early light of dawn filters gently between the small, weathered buildings of this peaceful little town. The world rouses itself in a soft symphony of muted colors, painting the cobblestone streets with a delicate palette of pinks and oranges.
Hand in hand, we stroll through this serene tableau on a mission that carries an unusual blend of responsibility and affection. As we amble along, I can't resist stealing sidelong glances at Feray, captivated by the grace in her every step. She glides with a natural elegance that leaves me spellbound, her silhouette etched against the backdrop of the pastel dawn.
Her fiery hair, touched by the first rays of sunlight, shimmers like embers in a fire. Her laughter, like a melodious tune, danceson the morning breeze. In the gentle early light, she's nothing short of a living, breathing masterpiece.
I squeeze her hand gently, and she looks at me with eyes that mirror the sky above—a soft, endless blue that makes my heart skip a beat. It's moments like these, in the quiet intimacy of dawn, that I realize how profoundly I love her. Her smile, so tender and filled with a touch of vulnerability, is my favorite sight in the world.
The apothecary's shop is nestled on the corner, a quaint little establishment with its aged, creaky door. A bell tinkles as we enter, announcing our presence to the elderly apothecary behind the counter. He greets us with a warm, knowing smile. "Good morning, sir. I need a birth control tincture meant for wolf shifters." Feray asks in a low tone, and the shopkeeper smiles softly.
"Of course, dear. Let me grab the two types I have, and you can pick the one you need." The apothecary fetches two small glass vials. Feray looks them both over, then chooses the purple one.
"Can I get as many of these as you have?" Her question catches him off guard, and he heads back into the back room.
"Oh, and I forgot—we need a few bottles of Shed Spray as well." She says quickly as it dawns on her she forgot Khal's order.
