Cave in

What now?

Those were the words in my head as soon as we finished bathing by the river. Well, more like me helping Creed bathe. It seemed that after our “heart-to-heart talk” he passed out again due to his massive bleeding.

I spotted a nearby cave for us to temporarily seek refuge in. I tried so hard to stop his bleeding by getting some herbal leaves and patching it all up on his open wounds. I was amazed at how he reached this point by how fatal it looked. If it were some other being, they might have already died. But thanks to his alpha genes and innate quick healing abilities, he’s in better shape now.

However, he hasn’t once woken up. He seems to be in a deep coma ever since the river encounter.

I kept myself busy by thinking of ways how to ease his pain as he released groans and grumbles in his sleep.

Now that I finally cleared my thoughts and had my alone time, my head was full of racing ideas.

What are we now?

Well for one, that is the most that stuck with me. I better ask him after he woke up.

And what is our next step?

With my brother, Ceylan, dead, and Alpha Fenris in tow, what’s going to happen now?

But, I can’t help but feel so relieved. All my worries are finally removed.

“Nyra.” I could hear Creed mumbling in his sleep, and I stayed at his side, caressing his cheek to make him feel my presence.

The dark cave had offered a temporary shelter for us, at least for tonight. I should just be thankful that we are not lying outside helplessly, vulnerable to other predators.

But with the night turning grim, I have to fetch us some water and hunt for meat. Creed needs nourishment, and if he won’t die from his wounds, perhaps lack of food will.

I stood up and left the cave, returning to the river where I washed his wounds earlier. After collecting enough water, I had to go to the deep woods to hunt for rabbits.

When I returned, I let him eat my hunt and offered the water. After that, I cleaned Creed’s wounds and I lay beside him. My hands trailed on his shoulders, to his back, and down to his thighs. Creed was emitting heat, and he was burning despite the cold night. I grabbed more wood to make a fire to keep us from freezing.

CREED’S POV

Nyra. Nyra. Nyra.

Her name alone sends shivers down my spine. I ached for her. My body longs for her. To touch her. To feel her. Oh, how I wish I could bury myself deep in her.

‘I need to go out’

I could hear her mumbling. I couldn’t open my eyes, but I was fully aware of my surroundings.

I forced myself to open my eyes but my eyelids felt too heavy. I forced my feet to move, even an inch but it seemed I had lost control of my body.

Damn. I couldn’t even control my brain for being too occupied with my thoughts about her.

It seemed that I had lost all of myself since the moment I met her.

I had memorized her whole movements. Each breath she took, her heart beating, and her cute footsteps. Her smell is so intoxicating and seducing me. As much as I try to push her away, why does she keep coming back into my head? My body punishes me every time she’s away.

Damn this body for not being able to breathe when she’s away.

How could this weak woman care for me? And how did I end up being attached to her to the point of not letting her go?

She’s running around. And I could smell, fear.

Is she fearing for my life to end?

That’s good. It feels good to have someone to worry for me. She’s damn special.

I shouldn’t let her go.

She was walking away, and her breathing left.

Is she leaving me?

No, I don’t want her to leave me. Because everyone leaves me in the end. And I don’t want that.

I never did anything for someone, and this was the first time I fought for someone.

It was also the first time that almost made me fall to my knees, but if I were to be asked again if I could do it again, I would with no hesitation.

All for her. For her to belong to me.

I’ll do whatever it takes to take what’s mine.

I counted the seconds she was away, and the more I couldn’t feel her presence, the more I grew restless.

I worry that she might leave me.

If I could, I would have put a chain to her feet to keep to tied to me forever. But that would be wrong, and I could only imagine the anger she would bring to me if I shackled her to me.

I have to give her time. Her freedom. So that she would give her heart to me. Slowly.

Tsk, slowly? That is not my way, I never did anything slowly. But for her, I will.

So I have to be good for her not to leave me. I have to atone for the mistakes I made to her and love her deeply.

How many hours have passed? She’s still not beside me. She might have been abducted! Or lost? I have to go and save her!

Suddenly, Nyra came into my arms.

“Shh, I’m here, Creed.” His soft voice comforted me, and I didn’t know I was crying in my sleep.

“Please stay.” I wanted to say but I couldn’t.

“Yes, I’ll never leave you.” She seemed to read my thoughts as she embraced me.

I inhaled her scent. Her soft comforting scent. I never believe in promises, but if it's from you, then I will.

What the hell did she do to me to make me this obsessed with her? But whatever it is, I like it. I like everything about her.