Page 27 of Destined to the Lycan
My instinctive desire to replace the unscented soap with one of the fragrant ones I made faded as swiftly as it popped into my head. Hunters would never want to add unnatural scents to them that might reveal their presence to their prey.
The unremarkable bedrooms were clean and on the small side. Rather, the massive bed eating up most of the space made them look smaller than they actually were. The only other furniture in the room was a set of nightstands, a chair in the corner, and a small console on top of which to put one’s belongings. None of the rooms contained a closet or chest of drawers.
After some deliberation, I chose one of the upstairs bedrooms at the back of the house which had a stunning view of the backyard and the luminous trail that led to the river a short distance away.
Not knowing how long Remus would be gone, I sauntered back downstairs and started a fire in the hearth. I lit the stove and heated some of Misty’s cider with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Too bad I didn’t find any allspice, but this would do.
I was just finishing that task when the front door opened. Startled, I spun around to see Remus walk in proudly holding up two sizable rabbits.
“I’m back,” he said with a grin.
“Wow! That was fast!” I exclaimed, a strange warmth spreading in my chest at his mere presence.
The rational part of me wanted to believe that relief at no longer being alone in this strange place prompted it. But another part of me acknowledged that there was more to it. I just liked being around him. Remus had a way of making me feel safe even without doing anything. And the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention had my stomach fluttering in the most pleasant way.
“There’s a reason why I’m our pack’s best hunter,” he replied, puffing out his chest while approaching me. “But something smells wonderful.”
“I made some hot spiced cider for us,” I said timidly. “If you’d like, I’ll pour your cup while you unload your catch.”
The powerful emotion that fleeted over his features had my stomach do a couple of backflips. I realized then that people didn’t normally do sweet things for him. The urge to spoil him instantly surged deep within.
“I would love a cup,” he said almost timidly.
“Perfect! Mulled cider coming right up!” I replied in a semi theatrical manner that had him chuckling.
I loved how it softened his face and gave him an almost boyish edge. As he turned towards the corridor to head to the processing room, he glanced at the hearth before looking back at me with an impressed expression.
“And you also got a nice fire going!”
It was my turn to puff out my chest smugly. “I may not be much of a fighter or a hunter, but you’ll soon discover that I have many other talents.”
“I do not doubt it, my… Amara.”
I almost chuckled at his embarrassed look when he caught himself right before he would call me his mate again. It was so damn adorable. Nothing could describe how endearing it was to see the sweet and vulnerable side of such a strong and otherwise intimidating man.
He cleared his throat and mumbled something unintelligible while gesturing clumsily towards the butchering room. I watched him almost escape, a silly grin stretching my lips. As I began to fill two cups with the cider, a wave of dizziness crashed over me.
I promptly put down the pot, some of the hot beverage splashing over the counter. Both palms resting over the cool wooden surface, I took in a couple of deep breaths. My throat constricted, and my chest felt as if a heavy weight had settled on top of it, making it nearly impossible for me to breathe. My innards twisted as what felt like a sharp dagger repeatedly stabbed them. My pained gasp was no more than a whisper, a hiccup at best.
Then in an instant, all the symptoms disappeared as quickly as they had manifested themselves.
I knew the poison coursing through me had not vanished. And yet, the absence of blatant symptoms other than the constant tiredness had almost lulled me into thinking I would be relatively normal until I received the cure. But the reality was that my health would steadily decline with each passing day. Remus’s harness no longer felt like a somewhat excessive kind gesture.
Will I even be healthy enough to perform the ritual?
The reality of my grim situation struck me hard. I was indeed living on borrowed time.
Taking a deep breath, I took a few steps in front of the counter to make sure that crisis had fully passed. I finishedfilling the cups then gingerly made my way to the butchering room. I found Remus making quick work of cleaning the rabbits.
Unaware of what had transpired, he beamed at me, his golden gaze softening as he watched me approach. He put down his knife and reached for a cloth to wipe his hands.
“No!” I exclaimed, stopping him before he could pick it up. “I got it.”
Surprised, he watched me approach with undisguised curiosity. I put my cup down at the corner of the table and wrapped both of my hands around his cup. Stopping in front of him, I lifted the tin mug to his lips.
Once again, the powerful emotion that had wrecked me earlier descended over his handsome features. It was a potent mix of wonder, affection, and gratitude laced with a hint of possessiveness and disbelief. He leaned forward and took a few sips. The whole time, his gaze never strayed from mine.
A purr vibrated through his broad chest.
