Fifteen

Zazriel played with Mourgent like she had during the first week she'd joined his pack. For the time, she was happy. For a time, she forgot everything. She liked this: liked being close to Mourgent and spending time with him. She liked how he didn't back down because of her deformity. She liked him. She wanted this to last.

After a little play, she led him to a cave far into the woods. No one would be able to find them, not even the killer. However, it was hard to get to, for her, because it was behind a waterfall. With only her hind legs, she had to kick furiously to keep herself afloat. She wasn't afraid of death, for death was inevitable, but afraid of her body lost forever.

When they reached the water, she glanced at Mourgent and saw him gazing around. He seemed to like their surroundings, so she got into the water and began to swim. He followed, not stopping her once he knew where they were going. She was grateful, and steeled herself for the weight of the fall, then went under. It only lasted a few seconds, but for her, it felt like minutes had gone by.

Her head popped up in darkness and her eyes were taking a while to acclimate. Then, she felt jaws around the back of neck, pulling her through the water, and onto shore. She got up and shook herself out, then sniffed around. Behind her, Mourgent did the same, splashing water everywhere. She finally found clothes and gave a yip. After he took them, she shifted and dressed. Finally, her eyes got used to the dark and she blinked over at Mourgent in shorts that were way too small for him. She giggled. He scowled, but sat beside her. "You realize I am much larger than all your pack males?"

"It's the largest I have," she said with another giggle.

He looked down and the scowl deepened. "I think I'm going numb…"

Zazriel laughed and pulled out another pair of shorts. Mourgent went wide-eyed, then crossed his arms. "You did that on purpose!"

She shrugged. "I do it to every male once in a while."

"How many males have you. Roughy here?" he asked.

She looked down. "Just Jasmine and Gatrie. For guards." She ran her hands through her hair and used her fingers to get the knots out. "I wasn't exactly wanted as a lover or a mate."

"Because the males were blind!" Mourgent growled.

She gave him a smile. "Maybe, but it means that I could concentrate on pack without the added worry for them."

Mourgent grunted and saw her shiver. Pulling her close, he said, "Eva was a childhood friend, Z. She has always had a thing for me. And there was one point when I liked her too."

Zazriel stiffened against him, but didn't move otherwise.

"That was before I became alpha. When we were both juveniles. I called it off once I realized she wasn't my mate at twenty. She has tried to convince me otherwise since."

Zazriel curled further into a ball, her arms around her legs. "So, what happened with the kiss?"

"We were arguing. She didn't agree with something you said and wanted me to halt your efforts. When I wouldn't listen, she kissed me. I was shocked. I didn't think she would. Then, I shoved her away. I threatened her to not do it again."

"Has she?"

"Unfortunately," he growled. They stayed silent for a moment, then he asked, "Who was it that had you? And why did you run away?"

"I left because I heard you at Matilda's."

"I wasn't trying to see you," he hissed.

She nodded. "I know, but then she arrived after you."

"Oh."

"I thought you were together and you wanted her. I didn't want to listen to the words she'd give you, so I left."

Mourgent tightened his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Zazriel. I didn't want this to happen."

She snuggled into him, feeling at last like she was home. "I'm sorry too, Mourgent. I don't think when I get angry or hurt. I let it consume me."

He stroked her hair. "This is why I ask you to talk to me or someone else you may trust. So these things don't happen."

She nods. "I get it now."

After a few more minutes of them cuddling, Mourgent got up and started gathering wood for a fire while Zazriel found a line and hook for fishing. She caught three and helped skin and cook them. She found that it was nice having alone time with Mourgent. She already knows how he is with the pack. They hadn't had much time just for themselves. It was nice.

After they ate, Mourgent found blankets since they were both cold, and wrapped them up, Zazriel in his lap. He held onto her tightly, not wanting to ever let her go.

"Why were you wolf when you found me?" Zazriel asked some time later.

"I lost control," he said simply.

She sat up and looked at him. "Why?"

"At first, I didn't know why. But then, I figured out it was because you were hurt and in danger. I had to get you back."

She hummed, wrapping her arms around him. "Do you lose control a lot, Alpha?" she teased.

"I'm the most controlled wolf alive," he growled lowly, burying his face in her neck. "But you have a way of destroying that control."

She giggled which made him smile and sigh. They went silent again, at peace for now. Nothing could find them or harm them. Nothing could ruin this.