Page 63 of Ruined Wolf

“Not a chance, sunshine.”

I reluctantly allowed him to strap me securely into the harness. He tested every strap and fastening twice, and I remembered his father had been teaching him about ropes and climbing before he died. Lucas’s eyes met mine as he finished up, and he must have seen my fear of facing Asher, because he brushed his lips over mine.

“He’ll be fine, and if not, I’m his big brother, I’ll just beat him up if he’s mean to you.”

I gave a choked laugh as Lucas stepped back and pulled on the rope. “She’s ready.”

I gripped the rope tightly, feeling sick as my feet left the ground and I swayed over the pile of sharp rocks and sea debris below. Lucas held onto my legs and then feet, steadying me before letting go as I neared the cave ceiling. Then I stopped moving.

“Nova? You’ll need to steer yourself with your hands to stop your head from cracking against the rock,” Asher called.

“I can’t,” I replied, looking down and seeing that floor of rock below me as I swung over it. “I can’t let go!”

“Yes, you can, and you need to, or you could end up getting hurt badly,” Asher stated firmly. “Let go of the rope.”

“I really can’t,” I wheezed, my chest straining against the tight harness as my breathing grew faster.

“Nova, look up.”

“No...”

“Nova, look up and look at me!” Asher demanded. The shock of his tone startled me, and I glanced up before I realised what I was doing. I couldn’t really make out more than his outline, but he was there.

“Nova, do you trust me?”

I took a deeper breath. “Yes...”

“Then trust me. I’ve got you, and I won’t let you fall. Take your hands off the rope and guide yourself up the chute. I don’t want to hurt you.”

I nodded, even though he probably couldn’t see it. Keeping my face tilted up, I slowly tore one hand away from the rope, reached up, and flattened my hand against the ceiling. After another couple of breaths, I finally let go with my other hand, trusting all my weight to the harness and reminding myself that both Asher and Lucas had checked it. I was safe with them, I trusted them.

With both hands on the ceiling above me, I looked back up at Asher. “Okay,” I called, my voice shaking slightly.

“Good girl,” he said, and a small spark of warmth bloomed in my chest. The rope began to move again, and I guided myself through the opening. It became harder as I got closer to the surface. The chute was narrow and seemed to press in on all sides, even though I wasn’t actually touching the walls, but then I was squeezing my eyes shut against the blinding grey light, and hands were slipping under my arms, and then I was feeling coarse grass under my fingers and the wind on my face.

“Nova? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

I forced my eyes open, blinking at the brightness, and Asher’s face slowly swam into focus.

“I’m okay, I’m okay. Have you got Lucas? He hurt his head. He needs a healer.”

“We’ll get him now,” Asher assured me. He helped me out of the harness, working quickly and efficiently, then turned to help lower it back down into the chimney.

I looked around. Another four people were positioned around the mouth of the chimney, checking ropes, and one was even unpacking a first aid kit.

A red-haired woman looked at me and smiled. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want me to check you over? I don’t want you to try to be brave, not in your condition.”

I glanced down at my middle, realising how it strained against the jacket, and then back up at her. There was no guile in her eyes, and she honestly seemed to want to help, so I nodded.

I let her check me over. She was friendly and chatty the whole time, not even raising an eyebrow at my ripped top or my lack of bra. I’d been unable to locate that last piece of clothing, even with the torch. As she finished, a shadow fell over me, and I looked up to see Lucas standing in front of me. He offered me his hand and gently tugged me up into his arms.

Lucas pressed his lips against mine, kissing me soundly in front of everyone, then leaned his forehead against mine. “You saved me, Nova. Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything. It was Asher and—”

“You know what I mean,” he murmured. “You saved me, and I’ll never forget it. I’ll spend my whole life saving you right back.”

I gave him a small smile, but I could see Asher behind him, directing the other rescuers to pack up.

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