Page 91 of Pit Stop

I look and see Sage wandering around the edge of the lake, eyeing the wildflowers that grow in this part of the state. We don’t have those back home, so I know he’s taking an interest.

I glance back at Maverick, and he grins as he tugs me further down the trail. His voice lowers as we move, the birds in the trees chirping as we pass. It’s wild out here, I can feel it. I can sense how untamed the land is. It’s so different from where we live.

“It’s weird, right?” Maverick asks, and I nod, unsure of what he’s talking about, but realizing all of it is weird. All parts of this journey have been strange.

“I can’t feel you as much. That potion,” he adds, and my heart sinks slightly.

“I know. It is weird. Even in the short time that we’ve been bonded, I’ve gotten used to feeling what you feel. And now…it’s muted.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was my fault. I bit you.”

“You did, but I also let you. I wanted it.”

Maverick doesn’t respond as we continue to traverse the trail, his fingers weaving through mine.

“Have you thought about what you’re gonna do after we break the bond? When summer is over and you’re back at college?”

“Well…” I wet my lips. “I suppose after this, Red will want first dibs?—”

“Aside from that,” he growls. “I don’t want to hear about that. Fuck, that makes me rage.”

The way his nostrils flare, the way his hand clenches mine roughly, I can tell.ThatI can feel. “I shouldn’t have brought it up—I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know what the reality is, and I do want to know what your plans are.”

“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I just…I guess I’ll have to figure something out. I know the campus offers services?—”

He stops and spins me around, holding on to my biceps with his hands. His eyes meet mine, and I can see the glow inside of them. “You can call me. If you need me. I can be there for you.”

“I don’t want to bother you with it. It’s my problem, not yours.”

His forehead gently hits mine. “I don’t mind, Skye. I really don’t. I’d love to be there for you. If you need me.”

“You shouldn’t have to do that. Drive all that way…not for me.”

He breathes heavily, his chest heaving as he clings to me. “I’d travel the world to get to you. You just need to call.”

My eyes grow wet, wishing I could feel him, but the realization that I’m unable to is gutting me. The potion is working hard, numbing us both. I can barely make him out anymore. He’s just a dull throb in the middle of my chest.

What will it be like when it’s finally severed?

The absence of him.

I have no idea. No one I’ve known has actually done it. It’s just not done.

“Come on. Let’s see if we can find this elusive cave.”

We step over a fallen tree as we move down the path, noticing the wet ground has wolf paw prints embedded in the mud.The shifters have run here, I think as we continue down the path, ending up in front of a thick grove of vines.

“It’s here,” Maverick says, and I cock my head.

“The cave? I don’t see it.”

“Me either, but it’s here.”

---