My brain scrambles to keep up with this whole mess that’s unfolded around me. The mess I’ve rectified. Right?
“Yes,” Athena breathes.
It’s too late to question my moves. I did what I had to. It’s done.
You’re in Poulsbo.
Aiden’s words flashed through my mind. I’m not too far from home. I just need to travel south. I wouldn’t be able to make it on foot but I don’t know if I have the strength to shift and run home.
My muscles ache in agreement as I think about shifting. A kind stranger. I take one last look at him. When I leave here today, I’ll put everything that’s happened behind me but I won’t forget him. Turning my head from him, I make my way towards the woods.
I flinch at the soreness I feel with each step. Pain rips through my body as Athena takes control. “I’m here,” she murmurs. Bones crack and my flesh contorts to fit it as I take my wolf form. “I’ll get us home,” she promises.
I mentally crumble and shift into the back seat as she drives. It’s like I’m looking through binoculars as we sprint for the shadows. When we get into the woods we don’t slow down. If anything we run faster as Athena tries to put as much distance as possible between us and the bodies that littered the ground.
The bodies I put there. My thoughts glide over the flashes I have of the men I killed. I’m responsible for the bodies, do I regret killing them? No. I’m not sure what happened back there but the darkness I felt in myself is unnerving. I don’t want to think about it right now and I push my actions aside for now.
I make it to the woods but I don’t slow down. If anything we run faster as Athena tries to put as much distance as possible between us and the bodies that littered the ground.
A small misty cloud billowed from my breath. I’ve got tunnel vision as I vaguely feel the dirt beneath me, the trees as they race past me in a blur, and the wind against my face.
How long will it take us to get home?
I can’t wait to tell Viktor we don’t have anything to worry about where Ken is concerned. Am I going to tell him about the flames? Will I really be able to live happily now? Knowing my luck, I’m doubtful but the hope that rises in my chest is enough to push the negative thoughts aside.
***
Exhausted by the running, I shifted back and Athena retreated to the farthest part of my mind. “Rest,” I whispered to her. I made my way into the packhouse, I realized it was empty.
I made my way up to our room and slithered into bed. The sheets were cold but welcoming. The faint smell of cinnamon strong led me into a heavy sleep.
It wasn’t until nightfall that I heard the door open and close. Jolting up from the sheets, my gaze flickered across the room and landed on Viktor. He walks into our room with his back hunched and his shoulders burdened.
He looks like he’s been through hell and back with a five o’clock shadow, shirtless from shifting, his hands look bloody. I hold a sob as I think of how hard he must have run or how long he’d run.
He has bags under his eyes and it looked like he’d lost some weight. Has he slept? Did he eat? My heart went out for him.
In the case of a missing pack member, a search party is sent out but he must have been leading the search. Had he scoured the nearby lands in search of me? When did the search party start?
My fingers twitch with the need to touch him, trail the ridges of his muscles, and feel his warmth under me. My breath caught in my chest as he lifted his head and our eyes met.
I expect shock, excitement, anger to flit through his eyes but what I see was laughter. Delirious laughter. His lips part and he chuckles. I cocked my head in confusion.
“Why are you laughing?” I ask my question and it fills the dimly lit room.
His eyes roam my face for a few moments before he takes a deep breath. “I miss you so much little mate,” his voice shakes as he runs his hands through his hair. I flinch when he pulls tightly and the desperation in his gaze pains me.
“Why am I laughing?” Closing his eyes he takes a deep breath before opening them. “I’m now imagining you home, safe in our room, in our bed,” he whispers with crazed eyes.
Viktor walks closer to me, keeping the distance between us, and takes a seat at the edge of the bed. Blood drips from his hands staining the floor. I lift my eyes and I’m trapped in his gaze. My body is heavy and feels weighed down. I watch as he reaches out, freezes, and drops to his side.
I watch him as he watches me, afraid to get close in case I disappear. The pain etched in his face, the longing I see reflected in his eyes. All I want to do is make it all go away. The tears in his eyes break my heart.
“Are you okay? Where have you been?” He asks, his eyes trailing down my body. “Are they feeding you? Are you in pain?” Viktor shakes his head. “Don’t answer that… I’m sorry, I haven’t found you yet,” he says, his eyes roaming around the room before finding mine again.“I’m sorry, Kacie,” he says, his voice cracking.
Fighting the fatigue that plagues my bones, I close the distance between us, pressing my chest to his bare one. Sweet cinnamon engulfs me and I slide my hands up his chest over his chest and fist in his hair.