And something in my chest twinged at that thought. I didn’t want to leave, not really, not right now, at least. I was curious to see how things could be with Wolf here.
Although realistically, it wasn’t as if I could just completely drop off the face of the planet. There were people back home who would question where I was and what happened. I had to tie up loose ends.
Did I really, though? Who would miss me? Who would even care that I was gone?
Grandma is gone, and I don’t have any friends. None that wanted anything to do with me unless they needed something.
Would Wolf even let me leave if I promised to come back? I glanced over at him as he packed a small satchel for me.
Even now he was thinking of my comfort, making sure we had a bladder of water and some food, so I didn’t get hungry, because he informed me the trek to the cabin was quite a bit away.
I knew he wouldn’t let me go, not willingly, not even if I swore up and down I would come back to him. In his eyes there was no him without me.
He helped me into my red peacoat and put the hood up, taking me out of my thoughts, his paws cupping each side of my head as he looked into my eyes.
“I want you to be warm,” he murmured. “I can smell rain coming.”
He stared into my eyes, made a deep sound in his throat, and I rose on my toes so he could drag his tongue over my lips.
His version of a kiss that I was coming to love so much.
“Are you sure you want to travel today? The heavy storm will make it wet and cold, and the trip will be longer than normal.”
I knew why he was bringing this up, that although he wanted to make me happy and would take me to the cabin, he was also worried. I didn’t have to hear him say the words. Wolf was very expressive with the grunts and growls and entire body language that were displays of his emotions.
“I want to get my stuff, Wolf,” I murmured, and reached up to run my finger along one thickly furred ear. He leaned into me as it twitched under my touch. “I won’t run or try to escape, if that’s what you think.” I gave him a smile. “I enjoy being here with you.” Not a lie, strangely enough.
How insane was it that in just a few days’ time, I was so comfortable with him?
Not anymore.But of course I kept that to myself. If I admitted I had planned on getting away but then changed my mind, I was pretty sure he’d be too paranoid to even take the trip.
He made a gruff sound and leaned in to nuzzle my neck. I wrapped my arms around his waist, although my hands couldn’t touch because he was just so big.
With one more lingering lick over my mouth that had my toes curling and a delicious hum of arousal filling me, he pulled back with an almost frustrated grunt and took my hand.
He grabbed the pack with the supplies in his other paw and we left the cave. Although it was sunny, rays of light peeking through the treetops that surrounded the cave, I glanced at Wolf.
“Are you sure it’s supposed to storm?” I tipped my head back and looked at the bright blue sky. It was a gorgeous day, not too warm or cold.
He made that very animal-like sound when he found me amusing, and I cut a glare at him even though I knew he was just teasing.
“Trust me. I know when it’s going to storm, my Little Bird.”
And still we started our trek through the woods, keeping to the shadowy parts where the sunlight didn’t quite reach.
I kept glancing at Wolf, and noticed how his ears would twitch from side to side as if he were picking up different sounds, and how he’d stop intermittently and tip his head back, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply before we started walking again.
He was just so big and predator-esque, and here I was, this tiny human that didn’t even reach the center of his chest, putting all my trust in him and knowing he’d never hurt me.
We stopped a few times, and he urged me to eat, growling low when I told him I wasn’t hungry.
It was peaceful out here, with only the sound of the wind moving the leaves above us, birds chirping and squawking in the distance, and little critters scurrying about.
There was no car exhaust or honking horns. There were no screaming matches or the scent of cooking food from the street vendors.
It was just serene, and I closed my eyes as I rested my hands behind me to absorb it all.
I felt centered and grounded by it. I felt like... me.