Page 54 of Destined to the Lycan
By answering too many of my questions, he could influence the choices I made in a completely different way than the ones I would have made given full free agency. But now was not the time to dwell on the doppelganger—or whatever else he might truly be.
We quickly washed and indulged in the hearty breakfast the innkeeper served us. Being familiar with me, he didn’t question the extra amount of money I gave him before our departure. He would burn the blankets I slept on to avoid any risk that my sweat during our passionate rumble could have an adverse effect on future patrons, even with them being fully washed.
As per my request the previous evening, he prepared a bag filled with dry breads, cured meats, nuts, and other food that could last for a few days. He threw in a couple of water skins and a bottle of cider to wash down our meals with.
When we exited the inn, Amara frowned upon seeing which horses I was burdening with our meager possessions.
“These are not our horses,” she said, confused.
“Good observation,” I said with a smile. “We will use the innkeeper’s horses all the way to the edge of Storm Hill. They are specially trained to return home on their own. From there, we will climb the mountain until we reach the plateau. There is no easy path for a horse to travel on.”
Amara stiffened. “Climb?” she echoed warily.
I nodded. “But do not worry, my Flame. It is not rock climbing, just a non-stop ascension following an uneven path much too narrow for a horse or most standard mounts.”
“Oookay,” she said carefully. “That’s a little reassuring but not fully.”
I chuckled and affectionately tapped the tip of her nose with my index finger. “Do not fret. It will not be too hard on you. Once we reach Storm Hill, we’ll use the harness so you can ride me.”
“Ride you?” she repeated, a mischievous glimmer sparkling in her beautiful eyes. “Then I guess we should’ve practiced that this morning instead of you doing all the work.”
“AMARA!” I exclaimed, heat rushing to my cheeks.
She burst out laughing, the clear, musical sound wrapping around me like a warm blanket. The wretched female enjoyed making me blush. My Flame looked so prim and proper that it always floored me whenever she deliberately made some raunchy innuendo to get a rise out of me. I didn’t consider myself prudish, but as I’d never experienced the normal flirting people indulged in from puberty onward, I felt as clumsy as a newborn calf attempting to get on its feet for the first time.
“What?” she asked, opening her eyes wide with the least sincere air of pure innocence. “I cannot walk such a hard path in a timely fashion. I was merely bemoaning the fact that I should have practiced riding a wolf when I had the chance.”
I made a face at her, which only made her chuckle some more. By Ferazan! I loved how simply being around her mademe happy, even her sweet teasing. And above all, I loved how happiness lit up her face and chased away the dark clouds of the threat looming over her. Whatever it took, I would do everything in my power to make sure they never returned.
“Let’s go, you naughty girl,” I said with false severity. “We have a long road ahead.”
She smiled and placed the sweetest kiss on the corner of my jaw before allowing me to help her onto her horse. We set off at a good pace. A wave of gratitude filled my heart seeing how much better she handled the long ride. Clearly, our coupling improved her health. But how long would it last?
We paused a couple of times along the way before we finally reached the edge of the forest. It opened on a vast clearing with tall grass gradually fading into packed dirt and rocks at the foot of the mountain. Despite being used to harsh travel, even I felt stiff and sore when I jumped off my horse. My poor mate winced a little as I helped her down. Leaning against me, she stretched her legs and her back before allowing me to lead her into the cave that would shelter us that night.
Contrary to the other ones we had slept in, this one offered far more comfort, including a couple of beds with padded cushions which acted as fairly plush mattresses, a proper wooden table and chairs, a fire pit, and basic cookware. While my mate settled inside, I went back out to unload the horses and release them.
They wandered towards the tall grass area to graze and rest. On their own time, they would make the twelve-hour journey back to their owner. The entire forest between the inn and Storm Hill was as safe as the Haunted Woods had been dangerous. Only small game, mostly small herbivores like rabbits dwelled in that area. Therefore, the horses wouldn’t meet any danger on their way home. Their reins and saddles were also enchanted sothat any potential thief would have a very nasty surprise if they attempted to appropriate them.
Not wanting to go through our food reserves too quickly, I hunted for our evening meal. We ate and called it an early night. Although we indulged in some heavy petting, we didn’t make love that night. Not only was the narrow cot not ideal for such activities, but we were also both tired and didn’t want to risk overdoing it until we had a better sense of how she responded to my toxins.
The next morning, the horses were long gone when we stepped outside. Before I shifted into my wolf form, I gave my mate extensive instructions as to how to bind herself to me with the harness I prepared, and how to hang our food and reagent bags in a secure way on me so that it wouldn’t bother her.
“What?” I asked when she made a funny face while I finished undressing.
“I don’t know. It just feels weird to burden you with all of this, on top of me, and ride you like a horse all the way up that mountain,” she said sheepishly. “I feel guilty. You will be exhausted.”
I snorted and shook my head. “First off, you weigh three times nothing. Second, my wolf is extremely strong. My stamina, strength, and endurance are at least five times greater than in my human form. You’ve seen how easily I’ve carried you in my arms. So carrying you on my back will be no hardship.”
She followed my gaze when I glanced at the narrow path ahead. And I gestured at it with my chin.
“This path, though, is not particularly fun. Will I get tired? Absolutely. But it won’t be because of your weight or that of the bags. It will be the uneven terrain and the steep incline in some parts. But I’m used to traveling on similar paths. I will be fine,” I said in a reassuring tone. “If I get too tired, we’ll just pause, and you can scratch my belly to soothe me.”
She burst out laughing and shook her head at me. “Fine. But be sure to rest when you need it. I’m starting to know you. Your overprotective side will make you drive yourself to exhaustion just to take care of me.”
“Maybe…” I said in a non-committal fashion that made her frown at me.
I kissed her, nipped her bottom lip, and then shifted into my wolf. The swiftness and efficiency with which she put the harness on me and secured both herself and our bags on my back was impressive. In no time, we set off.
