Sunlight warmed the skin along my arms and pleasantly caressed my cheeks.
Max’s hand firmly in my own, he led me away from the cave. I was apprehensive at first, but my spirit quickly lifted the moment my bare feet touched cool grass. The babbling of the creek growing closer urged me to speed up. I hadn’t seen it in a while, the sudden urge to take a swift back overcame me. I heard Max laugh as I hurried ahead of him.
I skidded to a haul on the riverbed, but instead of seeing clear water running by, a deep chasm opened at my feet like a yawning mouth. My lungs closed, I struggled to pull in any air. I turned to run back to Max’s side when a hand shoved me off the edge, Chelsea’s blue eyes locking with mine.
Entire body jolting, I gasped awake. My heart thumped erratically in my chest, the blankets sticking uncomfortably to my clammy skin. Panting, I kicked the covers off. I pressed my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around myself and squeezing my eyes shut tight. Nightmares often plagued my sleep, but they rarely featured Chelsea in them as the source of fear. Heart twisting with a painful mixture of homesickness and longing, I shuddered.
I tensed when there was an arm around my waist, pulling me into Max’s warm embrace. I opened my mouth to protest, confused and apologetic for waking him, but stopped when I was settled comfortably against him. Blinking, I realized that Max was like a big teddy bear. He was toasty, my body unclenching and relaxing.
“It’s alright.” Max’s voice thick with sleep was right by my ear, breath puffing against my skin. I shivered, unused to having someone so close and personal. “Try and sleep if you can, I’m right here.”
I didn’t immediately fall back asleep, even if his words were calm and soothing. I laid awake for another half hour, listening to Max’s even breathing. I smiled softly, a powerful wave of emotion caused my eyes to prick and my stomach to twinge not unpleasantly. I tucked my head under Max’s chin, snuggling closer and thanking the gods that I’d been lucky enough to find Max.
~
I was alone when I woke again.
Frowning at the obvious absence, I rolled over to see the door left wide open. Swinging my legs over the side, nothing but one of Max’s large shirts on, I bit my lip nervously. “Max?” I called out. When there was no answer, I walked across the room to peer down the hall. It was deserted.
I closed the door and quickly returned to bed, the hairs along the nape of my neck standing on end.
Something was wrong.
A loud snarl ripped through the air, followed by growls and the sound of people shouting. I tumbled off the end of the bed, the sheets tangling around my legs. I clung to them, dragging them off the side and throwing them over my head. I huddled with my back to the wall and my arms touching the side of the bed. The position might not have been the smartest if someone burst in in search of me, but it made me feel safer as I began rocking back and forth.
The sounds of a fight swelled until they were all I heard, my hands flying up to clamp over my ears. Breath spluttering in and out, I tried to block out the noise with shaky humming and a mantra of “You’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay.”
I was being grabbed by the throat, the glaring face of the Beta. Voice thundering in my ears and fingers digging into my skin, I weakly tried to fight him off.
Now it was Chelsea cowering in a corner while I was pinned to the floor, desperately reaching out for her as wolves jeered and howled.
Alpha sneered down at me, a growl ripping through the air as two pairs of hands grabbed me under the armpits and elbows. I was being dragged away, kicking and screaming.
My eyes snapped open and I sobbed brokenly, their voices were right there, and I was having troubling getting air into my lungs. I was vaguely aware that it was quieter, but maybe that was because thoughts and memories were quickly drowning out my surroundings.
I screamed when a hand gripped my shoulder, distress and panic making me dizzy. The blanket that was more suffocating me rather than a source of comfort was ripped away. I whimpered, going limp as I knew that I couldn’t fight against them when everyone was stronger than me. The hand didn’t jerk me to a stand, forcing me from my hiding place, nor did it grab me by the hair and viciously tug me into submission. My eyes cracked open, the lamp light suddenly too bright for my eyes.
I could see a shadowed figure over me, shaking me lightly. Their lips moved but no sound pierced through the sound of rushing wind. I didn’t respond, feeling like a scared little kid. I wanted to burrow into a small, dark space and never return.
I found my face resting against a shoulder, inhaling deeply the scent of sweat, lavender soap and fresh winter air. Gasping like a fish out of water, I curled up into a tight ball as arms wrapped tightly around my body. I felt small and maybe a little ridiculous but when the deep baritone of Max’s voice finally reached my ears, I couldn’t stop myself from clinging to him.
“-I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” I heard him say. I was confused, face still smushed against his broad shoulder. Why was he sorry? I wanted to start crying and apologize for overreacting but here I was, being cradled while Max mumbled a constant stream of ‘I'm sorry’s.
I coughed hard, trying to clear up my airway from sobs and hiccups. Max just carded his fingers through my hair and tightened his hold. I wasn't complaining.
“I’m so sorry.”
My entire body was pressed close, finally able to stop shaking. I whined at his continuous apologies, unhappy that he was distressed as well. He cradled me close like I was much smaller and far more precious, sidetracking me for a moment before I wriggled away. His face was drawn and serious, eyes alight with concern.
“Why?” I asked quiet. “Why are you sorry?” His shoulder slumped, and he sighed. His forehead coming to rest against my own.
“I couldn’t stop them.” he murmured. “Someone was questioning why a stranger was living with us, living with me. They were doubting my loyalty and before I could stop it, a fight broke out. I couldn’t back down from the challenge, not without formfitting my position and compromising your safety.” I swallowed nervously, staring up at him with wide eyes.
“Y-you...” I steadied my breathing. “Did you win?” His eyes shut, nodding. I let out a breath of relief.
“But only through compromise.” I frowned. “You have to prove yourself.”
I froze.
“What?”
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