“Out.”
“That’s not a helpful answer at all.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting. So either accept it or stay here.”
She studies me for a long second, clearly trying to figure out the angle, and I let her because there isn’t one. I just need her out of here. I need the tension to break before one of us does something we can’t take back.
“Fine,” she mutters finally, unwilling to let the opportunity pass her by as she grabs her shoes. “But if this is some kind of test—”
“It’s not,” I say without hesitation, far too tired to maintain some kind of charade.
She doesn’t look convinced, but it doesn’t matter. We head out, and all the while, I keep a sharp eye on her.
Outside, the city is loud. Too loud. Between the cars, voices, and general movement, everything is almost layered on top of each other in a way that keeps my instincts humming just beneath the surface, and regardless of how much time I’ve spent here, I still don’t feel accustomed to it.
Naia sticks close, not by choice, but by necessity.
I can feel the tension in her every step and the way her gaze tracks every nearby movement. Whether it’s due to survival instincts or because she’s looking for an opening to escape, I don’t know, but I expected either, and I’m ready for it.
In all ways, I can tell she’s a wolf away from home, forced to navigate a place so different from the dense woods she’s used to. Even if Ashford isn’t that far from Willow, there’s certainly a kind of culture shock that comes with it, and even if I already know she won’t accept any kind of comfort from me, I at least hope my presence is enough to keep her grounded.
We move through a few blocks, which are nothing special, but it’s enough to get her out of the apartment and to let her stretch.
Every second, I’m on high alert, both watching her and watching everyone else.
I wait for her to bolt, but she doesn’t. Not yet, at least. Still, I don’t let my guard down. She’s far too restless, and I already know exactly how determined she is to get back to Wraith Peak.
Unlike earlier, she doesn’t say much. She just gives short answers when I speak, and wary glances when I don’t. She’s still bristling and fighting me at every turn anyway.
Before long, when I’ve also grown tired of the crowds, I take a turn heading toward the edge of the city, and as expected, she notices immediately.
“Where are we going now?”
“Somewhere quieter,” I tell her, hoping it’ll be enough to pacify her, regardless of how seldom anything I have to say has that effect on her.
“That’s not suspicious at all.”
Choosing to ignore her, I watch as the buildings gradually thin out, replaced by open space, then trees. The air shifts into something distinctly cleaner, cooler, and carrying the scent of earth and leaves instead of exhaust and concrete.
Naia slows slightly as we step onto the trail. While subtle, the tension in her shoulders eases enough for me to catch, and while it isn’t a complete surrender, it’s something. I’ll take what I can get.
We walk in silence for a while, listening to the distant rustle of wind through branches and the flutter of leaves overhead. All the while, I keep my senses open and track everything.
Instead of doing anything stupid, she exhales slowly, like she’s finally able to breathe properly for the first time in days.
When I glance at her, I catch her eyes scanning the trees now, but not like before. Rather than calculating or searching for weak points, she looks almost relaxed in a place more closely resembling home.
“Better?” I ask.
She hesitates, then, reluctantly, she murmurs, “…a little.”
I nod once, not bringing more attention to it. Instead, we keep walking, and while the tension between us doesn’t disappear, it shifts, almost seeming to gather around the edges.
After a while, Naia breaks the silence herself. “You don’t trust me out here.”
“No, I don’t,” I respond honestly, not seeing any point in lying about what we both already know. It’s obvious enough.
She huffs a quiet breath, almost sounding reluctantly amused. “At least you’re honest.”
