Chapter 306: Chapter 306 - Practicality, Not Intimacy... I Swear!
Before exiting and disappearing the container, I pulled out my phone and sat it on the closest shelf. Altogether that should mean no more digital paths to trace us where we are going. Just physical ones.
The gray blanket in my arms does have my scent on it - and some black furs stuck to it - but I also think it should not leave a good trail. If it does... well, I’ll be looping out there as well.
I’ve also taken out what was labeled as an ’expectorant’ from the old hunter’s supplies... that was barely in the range of expiry. I’m not sure if it will be useful to help her cough silver up, but I take it along with a few other essentials.
So that I don’t need to reveal the Stash again unless needed. Shouldering the emptier, but necessary backpack, I hurry to return to the rest stop. Almost, just almost, I would have hopped off the wall right over her head.
> Stupid wolf, why did she walk all the way over here? <
Looking down at where she leaned against the concrete block wall, the anger from earlier flickered back. At the way she was trying to hide how much effort it took just to stand upright. With her hands pressed to steady herself against the surface in a way that a healthy person would never bother with.
Dropping back down beside her before she could try and move... brown eyes started searching my face. But it couldn’t be because of the scent blocker, as that is supposed to take just a little longer to work through even a werewolf’s metabolism.
"You don’t have to do this."
"I owe you."
The three explanatory words to her sudden protest came out sharper than I intended. My chest tightened as I realized how true they were. How her safety mattered as much or more to me because of the debt I owed... than any kind of care for her.
> Paying the money back is easy. I could have done it by now and washed my hands of all this. But that wouldn’t have fixed that I was given options at a time when I had little. <
Sure enough, my wolf whimpers at me. Because it clearly remembers how desperate I felt to get funds that day as I stood in the shop. Grabbing her wrist, I start to tug her along in my haste before I remember that she can’t walk fast.
"So just think of it as me taking you to a spa. Or at least somewhere that you can go and start to feel more like your old self again."
Slinging the blanket over her head and sweeping her up in my arms carefully, I start walking as she holds on as tight as she can. She doesn’t try and convince me anymore - and I make no more excuses. I just keep my eyes ahead and me ears alert.
Not even a word when I eventually sat her down, after leaving the roadway for a while. Or when I turn around and open the backpack before beginning to strip. When I toss the final piece of clothing in the bag and my body engages the shift into its hybrid state.
Fur, claws, teeth. Jaws, muscles, bones. Something terrifying for humans to witness, but is just another day for a werewolf. At least normally, when they are strong enough to do the same.
She doesn’t flinch when I turn and look at her peeking from the blanket she wears like a cloak. Nor when I reach for her after shouldering the bag. Just wraps her arms the same way as before around my now furred neck, and I hold her to my torso while supporting her to be as stable as I can.
But I can’t bring myself to move, immediately. Because a part of me can’t wrap my head around it. Have I really done anything that should garner this lack of fear... that I’ll do something terrible to her?
My words have been pretty, at times. My actions have not been especially violent, even if a bit dominant. I suppose I could have tried hurting her by now any number of times, when she was vulnerable with me.
> Yet, I just don’t... *get* it. Because I’ve always been on edge with her around. To be fair, part of that is your fault. If you hadn’t been so happily pushing the mate bond idea that I clearly did not want to engage with. <
Both of them are one in the same, with that. Sort of. I suppose she is a bit different?
A large stone wall might not be *pushing* on you, but you still maintain a sense of the weight of it if it were to come tumbling down. Whether you press back against it or are just standing nearby.
Her expectation and hope is like that, to me. A wall whose architect and engineer I do not trust. Even though she seems to have not a shred of belief that I could punch, kick, climb, or just rest against it without anything happening.
Deciding on a route while looking at the system map, I begin walking. This may take a couple hours to actually be confusing for anyone to track, at this travel rate. Hours that she’ll be out in the cold.
"You know, I don’t feel as... feverish. When you are holding me."
After a half hour, she mumbles while seeking more contact. Turning her cheek and adjusting the blanket if it got in the way anywhere. It takes me a moment to realize that she is somehow benefiting from my new Tolerance.
> I guess that means it does not just affect me, but anything that is touching me... <
However, while I’m not sure how effective it is at warming or cooling something toward the same temperature as my body, it is good to know. Even if when we get to the witch I am bringing her to... I’m not sure I could bring myself to assist her personal regulation like this.
Allowing her to sleep next to me may simply be aiding her... in a very practical manner. But explaining the ability to Martha Callaway... explaining anything to her about what is going on feels like such a chore!