I let myself sink into his arms, into this strange little world we’ve carved out of stone and ice. It feels so comfortable, so warm and safe.Homepulses again in my heart, more sensation than thought.
Gods help me—I don’t want to go. Tomorrow, I’ll start thinking again. Tomorrow, I’ll figure out what I have to do. How to leave.
But tonight, I belong to him.
Chapter
Ten
Iwake to find the fire banked low, cold seeping through me, leaving my flesh rippled with goosebumps. I grope around, seeking my warm, furry companion, but the bed is empty.
I stand and stretch, crossing to where my clothes are neatly stacked. I slip them on, minus the ruined panties, and grab my boots. Sitting down, I cobble thelaces back together from where he had cut them with his claw, a delicious shudder ghosting over me at the memory of what came next.
Looking for my missing Yeti, I venture out to the large pool, but not finding him, I spin in a slow circle and take in the expanse of the caves. I know better than to go wandering in the dark alone, risking getting hurt or lost. One end of the cave appears lighter though, so I head towards it.
As I walk and more light filters in, I see paintings lining the walls. Not quite as primitive as the famous cave paintings of France or Argentina but nor are they modern.
The pictures tell the story of the Migoi’s world. The beginning starts with a Yeti and a woman with the moon. Perhaps a moon goddess is their creation story? It looks like at one time, there were more of his kind, and they do seem to be some sort of guardians or protectors of the forest, just like Sita had said.
As I follow the images and the light grows brighter, I come across one final image, a large Yeti, a slightly smaller one, and between them, a small furry object I can only assume is a baby. My heart tightens as I wonder what became not just of this family, but of all the Migoi on the walls.
A breeze pulls my attention, and I walk further towards the fresh air to find an exit. I slip out just in time for the sunset.
I stand for a moment, letting the beauty of this world wash over me. The never-ending sky is a welcome change after the confines of the caves. But not wanting the Migoi to worry at my absence, I turn to head back—only to find no trace of the entrance.
Confusion prickles through me. I haven’t walked more than a few paces away, yet the opening is nowhere to be seen. Frowning, I step closer, but it’s as if the cave has vanished entirely, leaving me standing alone in the wilderness.
Wrapping my arms around myself as the temperature plummets with the setting sun, I decide to stay put, not wanting to chance wandering away and getting lost. As I sit on the ground,the sounds of the forest start to surround me, and I feel… at peace. In fact, this is the happiest I’ve been since I can remember.
No frantic research, no Ben, no spiraling thoughts. Just the unique stillness that comes from being enveloped by nature rather than the noise of humanity. The calm quickly dissipates, and I sit up straighter, my senses sharpening as I strain to catch the subtle shift in the air around me.
Fear ghosts over my skin as I realize how defenseless I am, sitting out here alone in the darkening night. Maybe I should try to locate the cave again. I had been hoping the Migoi would come to find me, but now, I’m not so sure. At least physically, I felt a connection with him. And I thought there was something beyond even that, but perhaps he did this with all the women he rescued from avalanches?
Frowning, it dawns on me that I don’t even know his name to call out for him. I stand up, determined to find the entrance when I hear a noise. Fear skitters down my spine as I freeze, hoping I can somehow escape whatever is out there.
The beautiful twilight has exchanged its dusty purple hue for a shadowy grey and black landscape as the light fades quickly. The forest noises which were soothing just a moment ago take on a sinister quality.
My heartbeat quickens as my primitive brain urges me to run. A low growl has me sprinting into action, racing towards where I think the cave’s entrance must lie. I can’t help but look back over my shoulder, wondering how much time I have to escape whatever is after me.
While my head is turned, I slam into a solid wall of heat and dense fur. The snow and pine scent of my Yeti surrounds me as a large arm sweeps me behind him to safety. He turns and lunges at the creature chasing me. I lean to the side, brave enough in his presence to see just what he is protecting me from.
A large wolf with raised hackles, gnashing teeth, and dripping saliva strains and snaps on his leash. I frown at such a ferocious thing being owned. Following the long leather lead, I trace it back to its owner, standing at the tree line, heavily cloaked and hooded.
The Migoi lets out a fierce roar, echoing through the forest. The wolf tucks its tail and runs behind its owner, clearly knowing it is not the alpha here. Despite the distance and the dim lighting, I see the man’s face transform, sheer terror overtaking him as he falls to his knees.
At the low growling that continues to emanate from my savior, the man gets his feet under him, backing away while still bowed. He unties a sack at his waist and tosses it towards us, retreating to the safety of the woods.
The Yeti spins around to face me, confronting me with the sight of just how fearsome he is. He appears larger than I’ve ever seen him, muscles rippling with each heaving breath. His normally luminescent eyes are almost completely black in the darkness of the night, and his canines give him a wolfish appearance.
I should probably be stumbling backwards, away from this creature that is more beast than man in this moment. But I’ve had enough of doing what I should. Of shrinking myself down, listening to others, being practical, sensical. I want some damnnonsense. I want to be hedonistic and chase down my desires. It’s time for me to be Dahlia fuckingWilde.
So instead of running away, I race forward and launch myself into the air, trusting his strong arms to catch me. And they do, a split second before our mouths crash into each other. I swallow his snarl with a moan as the sharp edge of his teeth drags over my lips and tongue, the tang of copper blooming on my tastebuds.
Burying my hands in his thick white hair, I angle my head to kiss him deeper. I’m so lost in the claim of his mouth that Ibarely notice the impact of the stone wall on my back as he slams me back against the mountain.
A grunt escapes me as he trails frenzied kisses down my neck, nipping at my pulse point. Rough hands rip open my flannel, sending the buttons flying. His claw tipped fingers grazing my flesh have me tipping my head back, my loud cry echoing into the night air.
Above us, a full moon stares down from a velvet sky studded with a million stars. As I embrace my wild side, I wonder if I can ever go back to living in captivity again when his hot mouth claims my breast and draws my attention back to him.
