Sixteen

The next morning, Mourgent and Zazriel decided to go on a walk: Mourgent walking whileZazriel was in his arms. She protested, but relented because he asked nicely. However, they didn't leave their shelter behind the waterfall, but Mourgent had found a tunnel, so, they decided to find out where it led. Zazriel didn't mind being under the ground, but she did mind not having multiple ways out. She didn't like the tight confines and having only two ways to run.

But Mourgent was curious, which she had never truly seen before, so they explored the tunnel. Unfortunately for Mourgent, there didn't seem to be anything of interest, which he grumbled about as they turned around and went back. They didn't even see another opening, just a dead end. Zazriel couldn't help but smile at Mourgent and tease him about expecting to find buried treasure. She hadn't expected him to start kissing her, then tickle her.

The fun stopped when there was a dull rumbling noise. They stilled, listening intently. Mourgent knelt and set Zazriel on the ground carefully, eyes fixed on the way back to the cave. Nothing came.

"Who else knows about your hide-out?"

"Just Jasmine and Gatrie," she said, shrugging. "They wouldn't have told anyone else because they know I like my privacy."

He grunted. "Let me go check for anything."

She grabbed his wrist. "Mourgent, wait."

He looked at her, saw concern for his well being. He cupped her face. "I won't let you be hurt, Z. Not again. Not by anyone or anything. Let me help you."

"I don't want you to get hurt," she whispered.

He felt himself draw closer to her, hoping she was coming around to finally accepting him as her mate. "Do you have your whistle?"

She fumbled in her shirt and brought it out. "Always."

"If I'm not back within five minutes, use it. Im sure someone will hear it."

She didn't look like she wanted to let him go, but she did because she knew he was a strong male who would do anything for his mate. She nodded and sat back against the dirt wall, holding the whistle tightly.

Mourgent gazed at her for a long moment, then began towards the cave. He didn't want to leave her either, but he didn't want to bring her into danger. He needed to be the one she would trust to protect her, even if she could do it on her own.

He turned the corner and stared. Nothing was out of place. No wet foot prints indicated someone entered the cave. Nothing. He carefully moved his eyes over everything and still didn't see a thing out of place. Something felt wrong though. He didn't know what.

Going back, he went to Zazriel and picked her up. "Nothing that I could see," he whispered.

She nodded.

They entered their hidden cave and talked for a while, learning about each other, discussing the mechanics of his pack, and giving each other advice on their issues. Zazriel never said most of the things to anyone before, but she felt comfortable doing so with Mourgent. He was attentive and nonjudgmental. It made another piece of her heart click into place, and without either of them noticing, she grew in strength and health.

Later, after they ate lunch, Mourgent decided they should get some fresh air, so, they left the cave. Zazriel noticed he stayed close as they swam through the falls, as if he worried for her. He needn't have worried. She got through just fine, but she was grateful nonetheless .

She scrabbled onto the ground, then shook herself dry. She watched Mourgent do the same before he sniffed around. His fur seemed to gleam in the sunlight, something she hadn't noticed before. He was alert: eyes peeled, ears pricked, and body ready to lunge at any time. However, when he glanced at her, he seemed to relax just a bit, softening in happiness and or relief that she was still there. It made her look away and hop over to a bush where she hid clothes for herself. Pulling them out, she found a hidden spot and dressed.

When she came out, Mourgent was still in his wolf form, still sniffing. She sighed and crossed her arms. "Why are you still doing that?"

He gave her a look that said she should know why, but she rolled her eyes.

"Mourgent, even if you do find something, they're probably long gone by now."

Without warning, he shifted into a crouching position. Luckily for her, he was turned away, but she squealed anyways. "I am just trying to be cautious, Z."

When she didn't say anything, he turned around. Zazriel quickly covered her eyes. "No! Don't turn!"

Mourgent chuckles then walks away, finding a pair of pants, then a shirt. When he returns, Zazriel was scooting towards the other side of the lake with her hands. He went over and went to pick her up, but she shook her head. "Don't. Not right now, please."

"Where are you going?"

She blows hair out of her face and slumps, looking at him. "I'm not going anywhere. Think of it as running laps."

Mourgent tilted his head to one side. "You're spending time with me to run laps?"

She rolled her eyes. "For an hour."

He smiled. "I'm going hunting. If you need anything, give me a signal."

"Are going to be wolf?"

"Do you want me to be wolf?" She looked away, seeming to be embarrassed. "Z, don't hide from me."

"I can use my whistle if you're a wolf," she whispered, seeming shy, but she looked at him. "It'll be faster than trying to come up with something else."

He nods. "Don't hesitate to call me if you feel threatened, Zazriel. I will always come for you."

This made her give him a small smile. "Thank you."

Mourgent shifted right there beside her, making her gasp. He then nuzzled her affectionately before taking off through the woods.