Chapter 26
Hestia
My hand is numb from clutching Charm’s jacket, but I don’t want to let go.
I’m exhausted after walking for just an hour and a half, and so cold I feel hot. I know that can be a dangerous warning sign, but based on my GPS, we’re less than a mile from the cabin. There’s nothing else to do but hold on until we make it there.
I’m wearing enough layers, I’m sure I’m warm enough, my body is simply worn out. But I can last a little longer.
Our trek has been against the wind. The large alphas have blocked most of it for me, but I worry about Orion taking the brunt of everything. We really should have stopped to switch out the lead. I can only assume he’s doing okay. I comfort myself with the thought that his packmates would be able to tell if he wasn’t.
I think I’d be scared if I were with anyone besides this pack. I know how dangerous blizzards are, even for professionals. I should be concerned.
But we have Orion leading us to safety. He’s never deviated, never slowed.
I grabbed Charm’s coat early on, worried about losing him despite the rope connecting us. He reached back to pat my arm comfortingly and let me hold on to him like a child.
Cato’s had his hand on my shoulder this whole time, so I know he’s watching out for me, along with Henri and Magnus at our backs.
I’m too tired to think much beyond being thankful I’m with my teammates, and with Orion guiding us, I don’t need to.
I must zone out, because the next thing I know I’m running into Charm.
I bounce off him, but Cato steadies me, letting me rest against his chest. Charm turns around to hold me too, sharing his warmth.
I think I hear a voice on the wind, and a light breaks away from our group, moving ahead alone.
I check my GPS and realize we’re here.
I lean around Charm and find Orion gone, as I expected. I can’t see the cabin and can only barely make out Orion’s light flickering against the snow as he moves away into the dark.
Charm leans down so I can hear him, “Orion is going to check out the cabin and find us an entrance.”
I nod and press my face against his chest. With Cato on the other side, I’m safely sandwiched between them.
I understand Orion going in so we all don’t have to wander around, but I still wish he wasn’t alone.
Eventually his voice comes through our radios.
“Charm, can you hear me,” he says, the sound cutting in and out.
“We can hear you,” Charm responds.
“I got the front door open. Come a few degrees east of your location. You should see my light soon, it’s a straight shot,” Orion says.
Charm releases me but holds my hand, taking us in the direction Orion indicated.
I glance behind us, making sure the others are there. I can just see Magnus at the back over their heads. The sight of him is comforting. Even the blizzard can’t make Magnus look small.
We spot Orion’s light, and as we get closer, a cabin appears out of the dark.
It’s at least two stories and looks intact from what little I can see. Although even a partially collapsed shed would be better than staying out in this.
Charm and Cato hustle me toward the cabin now that we’re close, basically lifting me up the stairs onto the porch.
Orion shoulders the door open and ushers us in, closing it quickly after Magnus is through.
It’s warmer in here. Nowhere near warm enough to be comfortable, but enough that I loosen my scarf before shaking off the snow.
