Page 21 of Snows Sinful Seven

I’m weak, and I know I don’t have much longer before I end up passing out. I try for the door handle, and I nearly sob with relief when I find it unlocked.

Pushing my way in, I stumble inside before closing the door behind me. Looking around, I see that it’s bigger than it looks from the outside. It’s like the cottage extends into the hillside next to it.

Everything looks so... large. Whoever lives here must be big people. Uncaringly, I drop my bags to the floor and start to pull off my dress until I’m in nothing but my undergarments, tossing my soiled clothes to the ground. I’ll clean up later. Right now, I need a place to rest.

Making my way deeper into the cottage, I open the first door I see. It’s a bathroom, and I groan in happiness as I rush to relieve myself. When I’m done, I quickly wash my hands and gasp when I see the state of my hair. It’s a knotted mess. Oh well, it’s a problem for another time.

My eyelids start to droop as I leave the bathroom and head into the next room. “Oh, thank goodness,” I sigh when I see a big, cozy looking bed.

Climbing up, I pull the covers back and get under. I snuggle in deep, the warmth of the blankets settling over me. So soft, so comfy. This is exactly what I need.

Taking deep inhales of the blanket, the scent soothes me, almost like a drug. I feel high. Happy. Whatever this scent is, I like it. It’s like a hug as it settles my body as well as my soul.

It takes no time before I’m slipping off into a deep sleep. I just pray that when whoever owns this cottage gets back, they don’t hate me for intruding on their space.

It doesn't even cross my mind that I could be in danger, that whoever lives here could harm me. I’m too tired, and I’m not thinking straight.

And whatever this scent is, it’s making me not have a care in the world. Making me feel that I’m safe, protected. It should alarm me, but I’m too far gone.

Chapter 6

Gabe

Hiding in the shadows of the trees, I watch as the back door to the clinic opens. Dallas steps out, looking tired from his night shift.

Sensing me, his golden eyes flick up to meet mine. “What are you doing here?” he asks in amusement.

“Had nothing better to do,” I grunt, pushing myself off the tree I was leaning against. “Thought you could use some company on the way home.”

He chuckles. “Well, aren't you being all caring and whatnot today.”

Rolling my eyes, I move in step next to him as he starts down one of the trails that leads deep into the forest.

“Don’t read into it,” I grumble. “It was better than sitting at home doing nothing.”

The sun peeks through the trees, warming my black fur. It stormed last night and the ground’s still wet beneath my feet. I hate the feeling of mud between my claws, so I step away from Dallas and onto the grass that runs along the trail.

“Or, you could have gone and checked the traps with the others.” He shoots me a raised brow. “Did you come into the village in hopes of seeing a certain young princess?”

My back stiffens, a low rumbling growl vibrating in my chest. How did he know?

“I’m not stupid, Gabe. People talk around here, and more than a few have noticed you lurking in the shadows. More and more since the time you came into town to grab flour.”

“We didn’t even fucking need any,” I snap back. “Henry had a whole damn bag hidden!”

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