Wolves Pt. 2

"Because I'm going to help you."

  "So, what are we going to do?"

"First things first, let's get you safe. I have a cabin nearby and I can bring you but," he paused. "I'm going to have to carry you more efficiently, yeah? That means I've got to pick you up, but I won't do nothin' more. I promise." He shook his head once. Then he looked at me to see whether I was giving confirmation or not. I nodded, noting his black, white, and gray scarf tucked around his neck into his pea coat. It was cold outside. 

"Okay."

"Good then," he said and then chuckled, surprised at how much relief that gave him. "I'm going to pull you closely to me." He brought my arms up around his neck and rested my head on his left shoulder. I could feel his gloved fingers pressing securely but gently against my back and head. "Wrap your legs around me," he said. "Can you do that?" I did as he asked, and he then began walking quickly.

We traveled for what seemed like a long time, but it was hard to say. My head was foggy from the cold and the trauma. "We'll get there shortly. I thought sooner but, in the meantime, I'm going to stop, take off my jacket and then place it over you, yeah?" he asked. I nodded against his shoulder. He stopped and set me down then unbuttoned it, taking off his jacket. 

"Thanks," I managed.

"Hang onto me again when I pick you up, yeah?" he insisted. I nodded. When he lifted me, I wrapped my arms and legs around him. He quickly covered me in his thick wool lined jacket. He tucked it under my butt. "Put ya arms through," he instructed. I complied then I rested my head on his shoulder again. "That's brilliant."

It was warm enveloped in his jacket, and it smelled like a combination of sweat and a slight hint of cologne or deodorant. I also detected a scent that I can only describe as "his". Not everyone has a familiar smell to me, but he did, somehow. 

As he carried me my head rested on his shoulder. He was quite tall. As he trudged through brush, and I could tell he was getting cut up from the brambles and snow. When the thorns were near, he simply pulled me up higher. 

I was so weak that I couldn't talk. I let him hold me closely as he continued to walk me farther down a trail. "Just a titch longer, alright?" he said softly and deeply. I nodded. It began to snow, and I was shuddering. He held me closely, rubbing my back to keep me warm.

I felt him on the steps to a building. He brought me inside, closed the door and then locked it. He immediately pulled the window shades then turned on a space heater and pulled back the blankets from a bed to the right. Then he laid me down and covered me tightly with several blankets. I could see that he was shaking.

"What happened, hmm? How long have you been out there?" he asked, his voice quivering. I shook my head feeling delirious. He reached out to my face with his gloves, and I backed away. "I was just tryin' to see your head injury here but I won't touch since you've said no."

"I'm sorry." I whispered. He glanced at me curiously. "For hitting you, I mean."

He chuckled and said, "Oh, don't be. Not at all. You've nothing to be sorry about."

It was quiet and I could barely see the light outside. All that was visible was the snow continuing to fall gently. It was silent, soft, and I knew I was safe. I fell asleep.

***

When I woke up, it was even warmer in the room now. I watched the fire flickering, the flames licking around his figure. He was sitting in front of it and once again he was a silhouette to me. I could see that he had the knitted hat off now hanging on a nearby hook. His jacket was also hung.

I watched his wet hair as he brushed the snow out of it. Had he gone outside again? My eyes were half-open as I focused on his form. Somehow, he could feel my eyes and turned around. I watched him crawl closer to me.

"Are you feelin' better?" he asked quietly. I looked at him all over. 

"Yeah, a little."

"Do you remember anythin'? Anythin' at all?" He was studying my face resting his elbow on his raised knee, his hand hanging down loosely in the glove, playing with the hem of his pants. Now that I was warm and the adrenaline had subsided, I could feel the aches and injuries I had. 

"Um," I mumbled.  "I'm in a lot of pain all over. And I was almost," I paused battling with reality. "Almost r*ped." He stopped fidgeting with his hem. A wash of pain crossed his face as he looked down at the braided rug on the floor. I watched him with tears in my eyes. He glanced up at me and I could see that he was in tears as well.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "I promise, I ain't like that." He shook his head then covered his eyes for a moment and turned toward the fire. I waited while he faced into the flames wondering how much I should tell him. It sounded like he knew about the wolves. 

He retrieved a maroon washcloth from a pot in the flames and reached to my face. I winced as he touched the lacerations and bruises on me. "I'm sorry. I've got to take care of these properly so--" he stopped himself short.

At the same time, we both saw the red washcloth, then glanced at one another, and were instantly reminded of all the past worlds, our friendship and renewed anger toward Chase.

"Janessa," he said, tearfully. "Oh, bloody hell. Are you alright?"

"I don't know," I whimpered.

"Was it him? Was it that bastard ex of yours?"

"Y—Yes," I whispered as tears came to my eyes. "Only he isn't my ex in this. He's just a ... bad man."

"Things have certainly gotten grim in this simulation. I never expected to have to deal with this." 

"Me neither."

"What happened?"

"He wanted me to be his mate but by force. He said that the wolves are given mates by a goddess but the first one he had died."

"That must have been awful," Luca whispered. "And be horrible to lose one." I stared at him, curiously. 

"But when I looked on the wall, I saw a picture of a woman exactly like me ..." I trailed off. I watched Luca as he stood there, silently. "You okay?"

Slowly, Luca turned around to face me. For a split second I saw his gray eyes flash green. I noticed his heartrate pick up, his carotid artery thumping four times stronger. The skin on his chest became flushed and he was sweating again. His pupils enlarged and his breathing picked up. 

"What was that?" I asked.

"N—Nothing," he stammered turning away again. As I watched him from behind, I felt what just happened. We were supposed to be together by ... fate. Inside my chest, a rolling ache of attraction hit me. I swallowed hard. 

I could feel him resisting at first but when he turned around and our eyes met, we both felt it once more. We both winced and cringed, unable to make sense of this. I laid on my side to avoid looking at him. 

"I'll just get some rest," I said.

"Good idea. I think I'll have me a wolf hunt."

"A wolf hunting a wolf," I whispered. 

"Yes," he said. "But not completely alone. We fought him earlier."

"That was you?" I sat up looking at him. 

"Yes. Were you in there then?" he asked. Our temporary discomfort with one another's attraction was overcome with this new information. 

"Did you throw something through the window?"

"Yeah, just a rock nearby. We were sick of him pushing territories."

"Are you the leader?"

"The alpha. Yes," he said. 

"Impressive," I said with a smile. He smiled proudly. "But, maybe I shouldn't ask." I began.

"Do you mean why haven't I found my mate before now? Can you not work out why?" he whispered. I smiled at him. "This is bizarre. I'd better go." He stood up and I laid back.

I heard the door close, and I peeked out the window. There were a group of others filtering through the woods like ghosts. I couldn't help but feel relieved but what if Chase found me when Luca was gone? He said he could recognized my scent. 

***

It wasn't too long after that I saw Chase's slick black fur outside the window. I was horrified. Would Luca know that I was in trouble?