Page 56 of Destined to the Lycan
I ran past the tree, feeling that sudden burst of energy one often got when getting close to home, or whatever destination they were headed to. Amara gasped when I turned the corner of what seemed to be a continuous wall but was in fact an optical illusion hiding the entrance of a cave.
The deceptively narrow entrance gave way to an impressively spacious hideout that was relatively warm in the otherwise cooler air of the mountain at this altitude. Although comfortable enough during the day, it got a little chilly at night.
“By the Gods! Is this what I think it is?” my mate exclaimed as I crossed the large, semi-circular space towards the back.
Some natural light gave us a glimpse of what looked like plumes of vapor near the ground. A slight smell of sulfur—too light to be unpleasant—hinted at what lay ahead. I ran towards it and emitted the chuffing sound that expressed laughter when my woman squealed.
A natural hot spring revealed itself. A large opening in the rock’s face acted like a natural window giving a breathtaking view of Storm Hill Valley below. Thankfully, a wide enough platform surrounded the hot spring, making it safe to circle around it. A few rocks and boulders scattered by the edges could be used either to sit or lie on.
As soon as I stopped near the warm water, my mate hastily freed herself from the harness and hopped off my back. To my pleasant surprise, instead of rushing to the water to test it, my mate removed the bags and harness burdening me. This considerate gesture moved me deeply. Too few people had ever voluntarily put my needs first before indulging in theirs.
Only then did she venture near the edge of the spring. I shifted back into my human form as she crouched to dip ahand into the water. Still half morphed, I happily chuckled at the voluptuous moan she emitted upon finding it at a pleasant temperature.
“You’re going to have to drag me kicking and screaming out of this hot spring once I get in,” she said with a thrilled voice.
“No, my Flame. I suspect it isyouwho will have to drag me out of there,” I replied teasingly. “But you get a head start. Hop in. I’ll go get some kindling to start a fire for the night and maybe warm a bit of cider.”
“Pfft! As if I was going to let you do all the work by yourself,” Amara said, sounding almost offended. “Anyway, I need to stretch my legs.”
“You should rest,” I argued.
The stern glance she cast my way silenced me.
“I wasn’t asking for permission,” she said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Fuck me, that was incredibly sexy! Once again, the inner strength lurking beneath my mate’s demure and almost timid exterior impressed me. I loved that duality in my woman. A gentle and nurturing touch wrapped an iron will.
I bowed my head in concession. “Consider me duly chastised,” I said with exaggerated contrition.
She snorted and shook her head at me while I walked past her, still naked. She slapped my bare behind strong enough for it to sting but nowhere near enough to hurt. I yelped with false outrage, and she giggled before running towards the exit. I chased after her, easily catching up, and scooping her up in my arms. She squealed and laughed some more as I carried her outside while pretending to take bites at her.
By Ferazan, how did she manage to light up my days with even the silliest of things?
“You know, the whole point of me tagging along was to stretch my legs and get some exercise,” Amara said in a reproving tone.
I shrugged and gave her a wholly unrepentant smile. “You will in a minute. For now, I need to sate my urge to hold you in my arms. I’ve been deprived of it for two entire days while you were sitting on my back. Unless you are saying that you’ve had enough proximity with me and need a break?”
“Nine Hells! You have no shame!” Amara exclaimed when I took on the most piteous sad puppy expression as I asked that last question.
“None whatsoever,” I concurred proudly. “But you haven’t answered my question.”
She playfully elbowed me while making a face. “You know perfectly well that I can never tire of being in your embrace. Stop fishing for compliments.”
“I’m not,” I said without the slightest sliver of honesty. “I just want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
“Right. And I’m the Queen of the Ninth Circle,” she retorted mockingly.
“Your Highness,” I deadpanned.
She bit my cheek then soothed the barely-there sting with a kiss. I tightened my embrace around her and rubbed my temple on her forehead to mark her with my scent. By the Gods, I was falling hard for my woman.
With much reluctance, I set her back on her feet when we reached the sparse forest to grab some kindling. We made quick work of gathering enough wood for the fire. As I bent down to pick up what we had piled up, I saw Amara look at a twig before tossing it as it was too thin to be of significant use.
I couldn’t say what came over me, but I shifted into my wolf form and ran after it. I picked it up with my teeth and brought it back to her.
The look on my female’s face was beyond hilarious.
“Seriously?!” my Flame exclaimed with a mix of disbelief and confusion.
