ASHINA THE FAE MATE

"Ashina..."

The woman startled awake, The darkness around her bed of autumn leaves cradled her as she jolted. Instead of giving in to the temptation to call out into the pitch-black void, she chose to bury herself even more deeply in the dry vegetation that was crunching beneath her skin.

Her bareness was obvious even without sight because the crunchy leaves were rubbing along every bodily crevice. As a tickling sensation caught her attention, she sighed gently and rubbed her thighs and buttocks, hoping she wouldn't end up as a meal for little insects. maybe bigger ones... She shuddered at the idea.

She remained motionless for hours, allowing her shaky breathing to lull her into a state of meditation until the surrounding countryside turned grey from the laboriously slow rising light. The lack of her memory wasn't apparent to her until old tree trunks and bushes started to grow around her. She was unsure of her identity and origins.

With the exception of a few minor bruises around her ankle, she quickly examined her body in the advancing light and discovered no noticeable marks or wounds. In an effort to find something familiar, she stood up, swept her hands across her body to remove any debris, and then she began to move.

She stumbled around the forest. Her feet were repeatedly sliced by unnoticed sharp things, and she limped with an aching stomach. Her feet appeared to be covered in scabs when she glanced at them. A few times, she dropped to her knees and crawled when the pain got too intense. Her brow furrowed as she prodded her soles and picked at the dirt and dried blood.

And who am I?

Standing densely on moist soil, tall evergreens appeared to be mocking her as their tips vanished into the silver mist above. She went in what at first glance appeared to be a straight line, but after encountering the same mossy boulder three times, she gave up and sat down.

She plucked at the grayish-green rock, her gentle nails bending and tearing as she did so, leaving a crimson mark. She grunted as she twisted an old, bendy twig into a knot and threw it into the brush while putting her head against the chilly stone. She blinked as the finger painting markings and the branches suddenly came to her with an innovative thought.

She leaped up, grabbed a handful of straggly branches from a neighbouring pine, tied the ends together, and formed a loop. She placed it atop the boulder like a crown and then marched off, beaming.

She yelled behind her, "I hope I never see you again, you bloody, mossy bastard!" before making another circle over a neighboring tree to indicate a way.

As dusk swiftly fell, she huddled up next to an old pine that was eight arms broad around its circumference.

"Goodnight, big guy," she replied, letting out a satisfied sigh and retaining one hand in an awkward embrace on the silky bark.

She woke up startled at dawn after hours of light and sporadic sleep. Finally, the muttering she had been hearing in her nightmares made sense.

With a smile and a gasp of relief at having something of her own at last, she exclaimed, "My name!"

"Ashina."

Ashina eventually came across a huge, folded blue tarpaulin after some time of trekking and joyfully muttering about her name. She prowled about the tightly wrapped package, prodding it with a decaying stick. She picked it up and wrapped the frayed twine bow string around it after waiting for it to move or make a sound.

An old t-shirt, some enormous men's sweatpants, and six energy bars were all carefully tucked within. She turned one of the tiny, rectangular snacks she was holding and looked at the ingredients.

Fruit, dates, and peanuts. A lot of blah. may have sharp pieces, and the colour may change. Keep away from direct sunlight.

Ashina shrugged and greedily shoved the ancient-looking bar into her mouth after pondering whether it was safe to consume it. Her eyelids rolled back as the sweetness coated her tongue despite its crumbly, moisture-free feel. After the second one, she stopped because she realised that it might be the only food for a long and that the lack of water was making her tongue swell. She hastily put on the curiously soft clothing before continuing to drag the tarp behind her.

Ashina continued her professional trail marking after the most recent event from the previous day. Before mastering the distance between markers, she only walked in a circle once. Ten measures. 10 little steps!

I should be leaving soon. Anywhere this is."

Ashina slept tucked under her crinkling blue tarp while the sky progressively darkened that day. She woke up in a little clearing a few hours later. Growls and hoots could be heard close by as she prepared to sit up and oriented herself in the pitch black. She froze, frozen in the foot-long, dew-coated grass, the woodland now obviously outside her range and too far away for her to sneak around in secret.

She was lying on her back, gasping uncomfortably as she gazed at the starless, moonless sky. Rough shapes could be seen around her in her vision, but they were nothing compared to the sounds she was hearing. As the unknown creatures stalked the treeline, branches splintered and cracked.

Exactly what is going on?

Ashina was irritated that she hadn't consumed all of the bloodied energy bars after feeling a tiny grumble in her stomach. If she had, she wouldn't have to worry about her rumbling stomach scaring off potential monsters. She curled into a ball, and the area erupted in dozens of low grunts and huffs.

Leave now, please! Her chest constricted as the noise of the rustling grass and crackling twigs grew louder. Her bladder would have happily spilled its contents across the ground, so she was relieved that there was none.

In the split second it took Ashina to slam her eyes shut in panic, the night had given way to day, and she was back under the tarp and pine tree by alone.

Bile spewed from her quivering lips as she spoke, and her eyes adjusted to the blazing sunlight while her head felt leaden from disorientation.

Despite being unsure of her circumstances, Ashina understood the phenomenon she encountered was impossibly rare. But a recognizable feeling shivered down her spine.

This location is not located on Earth.

She was even more confused because the unexpected notion wasn't stunning. She sighed, wiped her temples, and folded the tarp, tucking it under her arms.

The loneliness of that day of confused wandering. Ashina consumed two more bars, which she found difficult to swallow, then exhaled the remainder of her water via sweat. She sat, allowing the coolness of the moist patch of soil to caress her tired feet's chapped soles.

Ashina was lying down and gazing at the treetops that were bursting with silvery mist into the sunlight when a dull pain in her chest interrupted her. She ignored it for a few minutes before sprawling out like a starfish in the mud and blinking quickly. She was under a lot of pressure, yet she kept her tears inside. Instead, she developed a large pout and began to agitatedly rub her eyes.

Hurt you, cry!

Only when she believed she could faintly hear the trickling of water close did she stop trying to induce feeling. Ashina let out a cry, rolled onto her stomach, and scuttled across the stony ground into some dense vegetation. She saw a sheer drop through the sharp leaves. A tiny crystalline torrent beckoned to her from the base of the tiny cliff.

Oh my god.

She carelessly threw her battered legs over the side and descended, her front caked in mud. She looked down at the smooth surface while knelt by the water's edge. Ashina studied her peculiar appearance, her brows furrowing. She reached up and prodded at her soiled cheeks while her colorless, possibly silver eyes looked for recognition but found none. Likewise, nothing. Her scalp's tangled nest of hair was brown from the days she spent sleeping on the ground, but it was white from the root up.

She moaned and smacked the water, creating the shape of a cup while distorting her reflection. She then drank as much of the crisp liquid as her stomach would allow. An ethereal, feminine voice came to her in her head after she took a few gasping breaths, once puked, and continued to drink.

"Follow the river downstream," was said.

"Mother?" When instructed, Ashina grinned into her damp palms. I was told that by my mum.

She had hope because of the voice's recognizability, but when she peered between her fingers' gaps, she discovered the water remained still. utterly still.

She sobbed and rubbed the cool creek water across her face, "There is no downriver..."

"Dammit."

After rising to her feet, Ashina strolled along the water's edge before kicking it in anger.

Just get moving, please.

The water began to move quickly in the direction she kicked as a wave of tingling energy surged down her body. Her thick eyebrows protruded into her hairline.

"Woah..."

Around her, birdcalls suddenly erupted, and she recognised she hadn't heard any forest critters for hours. She was confident they couldn't be bothered by her after stumbling through their house for days.

I might be under observation.

The idea made her spine chill. Ashina was sure it couldn't be the monsters from the previous night because of how loud they were, so she speculated that it might be people. She was shivering, though, even at the prospect of surrounding people.

The river opened up into a big body of water towards the end, its edge being bordered by countless pebbles in the shape of eggs. After skimming a few, she scowled as she once more observed that the crystal-clear waters weren't flowing. The water appeared to be a massive puddle from the stillness of the shoreline.

What the hell is going on here?

As she sat on the pebbled shore, Ashina watched as the sun drooped groggily below the horizon. She watched as a steady dot of light blinked repeatedly from the woods to the slight right of her.

Its flickering accelerated when she waved at it. Along with it, her heart beat. She watched it carefully for a few minutes, and when it didn't get any closer, she exhaled in relief.

She cautiously tucked herself beneath her cover and said, "You stay right there, weird light." Before she allowed her eyelids to flutter shut, it winked one final time.

That night, as she woke up, she could hear something coming from beneath her, behind the crinkling blue linen. She wasn't certain if it was in her head or someplace in the forest.

voice of her mother. rough and brutal. Despairing.

"Ashina..."

Frigid air kissed Ashina's cheeks as she scuffed her bare, cracked feet along the lake's edge. Shudders ran down her back as she noticed her blood mingling with the crystalline waters, swirling lazily around the eggshell and pumice pebbles.

Yuck. My feet aren't going to be pretty after this. She grimaced, giving her foot soles one last disgusted look before lifting her gaze to the horizon. As expected, nothing seemed out of place.

While the glinting light of the previous night disappeared, Ashina felt determined to find its source. But, before she had the chance to march onward, the forest at her side quieted, and she realised how exposed it was along the lakeside. In the next moment, muffled voices had her stomach churning.

Her pace increased, as did the volume of the talking.

Surely voices are a good thing. I could ask for help. But Ashina's fear only amplified as she made out the people's words.

"We have been searching for days. She hid her in here so we would never find her." A male.

Another voice responded. Female this time; her voice sounded sharp and bitter. "He wants her, and we do as we're told."

Ashina knew they were looking for her. She wasn't sure why, but she refused to stand by and find out.

Despite being starving, cold, and tired, Ashina ran as fast as possible. Unfortunately, her stumbling sounds alerted the trackers. Shouts sounded behind her, and she nearly screamed when a taloned hand wrapped around her wrist.

"Finally found you, little freak," the accompanying voice snarled.

Ashina quickly realised struggling was pointless. She was far too weak to fight the muscular, bald woman after her feast of champions. I would kill for one of those dehydrating, crumbling snack bars right now.

"Where's the fucking portal?" The woman yelled to her grey-haired partner, who pulled out a strange device. It beeped and blinked a few times, and a dial on its front pointed towards the water.

"In the lake," the man replied.

"For fucks sake. I didn't want to get wet this time." The woman's grip tightened, and her tawny eyes hardened as she dragged Ashina into the water.

Ashina's breathing quickened as the icy liquid rose around their bodies. She couldn't Even remember if she could swim.

The man with them had a hard time floating, and after a few loud groans, he shifted right before her eyes into a dog. It was at that point that Ashina finally screamed.

That man is a fucking dog!

A massive grey dog.

'Wolf.' The correction zapped into her mind with a voice different from her own. She had no time to question it as her panic set in.

"No, no, no, no!" Ashina tore away from the female's grip, landing a hard kick to her abdomen, and tried desperately to swim towards the shore.

"Someone, help!"

She started to hyperventilate when something grabbed the back of her T-shirt. It turned her around in a wide arc, and she spotted the mean woman again, looking Even more pissed off. Ashina realised in horror after peeking over her shoulder. "No! You stupid fucking dog-wolf thing! Let me go!"

Ashina's floundering made them swallow water, and she choked, barely drawing enough air when the animal pushed her beneath the surface. An eerie calm washed over her instantly after opening her bulging eyes against the stinging waters. Twinkling beneath them, she saw a small shimmering ring suspended, unmoving, parallel to the lake's bottom. Its iridescent border flickered around the dazzling centre, a colour she could not put words to. A sense of safety enveloped her when its name shot into her mind.

It's a Faery ring!

They swam through it together, the woman and dog holding one arm each, and suddenly the trio stood on dry land, thoroughly drenched. Ashina suppressed the sensation of vomiting and held her head steady with shivering hands.

Well, that was shit. And familiar...

Towering Evergreens stood around them, and the earth felt moist underfoot. The scenery didn't look any different from where they had just been. Disappointment swirled in Ashina's chest as they took in the view. However, after a moment's pause, she could smell something. The scent was so faint, but it made her salivate. Earthy with a hint of spice. Cinnamon?

"Let's go, freak, " the bald woman growled. A purple scar ran along her scalp from brow to nape, stopping just above her sopping collar.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Ashina grumbled behind her, still staring at the old wound. Her eyes darted to the five-foot animal next to her.

"You're the fucking freak," she whispered with a scrunched nose.

The grey monster huffed and walked ahead of them for a time when his fur bristled. The dog's black eyes were on high alert, searching the forest, when its white-tipped ears suddenly pinned back against its head. Rumbling growls vibrated through his chest, and Ashina stepped back, pulling against the woman's grip.

"Shit," the woman whispered, shaking her head at her companion. "Invictus."

They must have gone through the wrong Faery ring, Ashina deduced smugly. Besides their locations' obvious resemblance to the last forest she had been wandering, the new place felt familiar.

The main difference, though, was it felt safe. Her feelings of security only grew as half a dozen footsteps approached, and the irresistible scent wafted along the forest floor and into her nostrils.

Four men and two women emerged behind the pines and formed a half-circle around the three apparent intruders. Ashina got shoved behind the mean woman's back, so she didn't see much more than their clothing.

"I thought I told you never to show your face here again, Louve."

The bald woman, Louve's, back bristled from the snide remark. "We are on a mission from Alpha Ernouf. I did not know we were on your lands until we came through a portal."

"Didn't anyone tell you not to mess with tools of the Fae? Nasty little shits," a different voice commented.

Louve and Ashina humphed at that. "I'm to deliver this half breed to Alpha Ernouf. It does not concern you. Now let us pass. You don't want a war with the Frost Pack."

The grey wolf growled at his companion then.

Oops, she said too much. Ashina nearly let a laugh escape before stifling it with a cough.

I can't believe I got kidnapped by a dog and this dumb bitch. This time a chuckle did escape her pursed lips.

She knew logically she should be terrified, but it seemed her captors were enemies with the new visitors.

And an enemy's enemy is my friend.

Then, a deep, divine voice spoke, and Ashina wanted to melt into a puddle on the forest floor.

"Show her to me."

A soothing warmth curled around her ankles and up her frozen limbs.

Both of her captors' hackles rose at the request. Nobody moved.

Ashina rolled her eyes behind Louve's back and peeked over her shoulder. She made eye contact with the two people on her left and smiled wide.

"Hi, I'm Ashina." Then, before anyone could react, she teetered onto the other foot and looked at the two on her right.

"How do you do?" She tipped an imaginary hat and got shoved back roughly, landing somewhat hard on her butt from the force.

"Shut up." Louve stood over her, furious at the mockery.

"What? I'm just being polite."

Ashina could see huge smiles and wide eyes from the people she greeted and felt content despite sitting on the damp earth. Louve turned around to speak again with her muscled legs spread wide in a triangle shape.

Is she trying to look intimidating? Ashina took the opportunity to crawl over and stick her head between the solid limbs. She just wanted to see the last two saviours when her mouth dropped open.

He was gorgeous.

The man sported a carved, clean-shaven jawline, dark curls, eyes the colour of olives and the fullest cherry red lips. Her mouth dropped open involuntarily before she sucked her lower lip between her teeth. His eyes fell to her face and his eyebrows raised.

Oh yeah, I look like a dirty, soggy, half-starved rat. A flush spread along her cheekbones as she met his eyes.

"Hi," Ashina croaked before getting slapped from above. A growl sounded out in front of her as she looked up at her kidnapper with a frown.

"You are so rude," she grumbled, shimmying from between Louve's legs.

"She will be coming with us." The statement came from the green-eyed man and had Ashina giddy while the stupid grey dog growled threateningly.

"We can't go back empty-handed." Louve glowered at him. How anyone could hate such a beautiful specimen was beyond her. On closer inspection, though, they were all gorgeous.

"If you don't leave now, you won't go back at all," said the first voice.

Indecision rolled off their shoulders. Louve stared hard at the dog's head before turning a dirty look to Ashina.

"Your disgusting mother will suffer for this, and it will be all your fault."

She knows my mother? Her heart painfully squeezed as she processed Louve's words. Before her mind could conjure gruesome scenarios from Louve's threat, the sounds of breaking bones, tearing sinew, and groans assaulted her ears again. This time they came from Louve as she changed into a tawny dog. She appreciated the sickening distraction as she stepped backwards.

"You're a dog too?"

Snickers echoed behind Ashina as Louve bared her teeth and snapped at her hand. But, after a hearty growl from at least three of her saviors, the pair of dogs ran off, tails tucked between their legs.

Ashina watched them go in morbid fascination before turning back to the group covering her quivering lip with a wry smile. While they were decent enough to save her from the two dog creatures, their trustworthiness surrounding her missing mother was yet to be proven.

"Where to?" she asked.

The returning grins from each person made Ashina's heart race and cheeks redden, their genuine expressions instantly melting some of her fears. Then, rocking on her heels, she willed her blush to recede as she flitted her eyes to the green-eyed man.

Big mistake.

Instantly, he stepped towards her, inhaling softly, when a slight furrow crossed his brow, and he froze. Her body tingled as his eyes stared into her own.

"What?" she whispered nervously.

A flash of gold sparked in his iris, and she swallowed as a small uncertain smile danced across his lips.

This is either going to be fun or a fucking mess...

" Let's go..." he said.

The two women introduced themselves immediately, while the males turned and walked back into the forest.

Dammit.

The taller female, covered in tattoos, was Honi, and the shorter woman with red hair down to her ass was Loveta. They tilted their heads to Ashina slightly, waiting for a response. She half-smiled, half grimaced and nodded at them briefly.

"So...Should we follow them?" she asked.

Both women shared a look and stood on either side of her. Loveta cleared her throat, linking her arm with Ashina's and asked, "What pack are you from?"

Ashina shrugged. "I don't think I have one." Although her memories were fried, she felt in her gut that she was at least half right.

Or is that just the hunger pangs?

Both women frowned, confused. "What species are you?"

'Fae.' A whisper echoed in her mind with a fading hush like trembling leaves in a gentle wind.

Ashina's brows shot up. "I think I'm Fae?" The disclosure was made so slowly that it came out like a question.

Lovetas brows shot up as she looked over Ashina's grubby body. "I've never met a Fae before."

"How old are you?" Honi piped up, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Not sure. Maybe like twenty-something? Early twenties?" It was infuriating to Ashina that she couldn't remember her age, only guessing the answer based on her reflection from the creek earlier. Her face lacked the soft roundness of a teenager but also any budding signs of wrinkles.

"Same, " they replied with soft smiles. An overwhelming sense of welcome poured from both women, especially Loveta, but Ashina couldn't help but feel disappointed that the mystery male wasn't walking with her. She could see his outline up ahead next to another guy who kept peeking back at them with curious azure eyes.

"What are their names?" she questioned her companions, jutting her head toward the men.

"Well, that one," Loveta lilted, pointing at the youngest-looking man who sported short chocolate waves and a hunched posture. "His name is Jed. He is Alpha's brother and one of our Gammas."

"I'm the other Gamma," Honi boasted proudly.

Ashina smiled and nodded despite having no clue what the gibberish words meant.

"The brunette bodybuilder over there is my mate, Rule." Loveta smiled, starry-eyed, as she pointed to her left.

A scowl appeared as he peered at the women before softening on Loveta. The puppy love in his eyes was undeniable.

"Both of us are Delta's. And the one next to Alpha is Waya. He's our Beta," Loveta stated as if her words made perfect sense.

Ashina's curiosity got the better of her, "Am I supposed to know what it means when you say Beta or Delta or mate? And please tell me his name isn't Alpha. So pretentious."

Loveta's eyes shot open wide, and her cheeks flushed. Honi, on the other hand, stifled a laugh in her palm.

"N- no, it's Farkas," Loveta stuttered. "It's our rankings. Or titles, I guess. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, then Delta... His name is, uh..."

Ashina scrunched her face, giggling at Loveta's sudden onset stammering. "Spit it out already!"

Her almond eyes flitted to the men ahead before whispering, "Lopus."

"Why was that so hard to say?" Ashina felt warmth hearing the name and wanted to sound it out, but not in the presence of so many strangers. She saw Waya chuckle but didn't think Lopus had Even been talking.

Weird.

Honi nudged Ashina's shoulder slightly with a smile, "Normally, we refer to... Lopus as Alpha as a sign of respect."

"Why?"

"Because we're dogs, little one." Waya had appeared out of nowhere with a grin. "Hierarchy and such."

"Waya!" Rule groaned, now also much closer. "Shut it."

Ashina's curiosity was piqued. "Are you like those other things that kidnapped me?"

"Wolves, sweetie. We are wolves." Waya put on a strange accent and bowed deeply.

"Don't patronize her, you idiot," Jed growled. They moved unnaturally fast, so it wasn't exactly surprising that they weren't human.

Waya's hackles rose slightly before another wicked grin crossed his face. "You're just jealous you didn't talk to her first."

Ashina quite liked all the attention, but Lopus still walked ahead by at least twenty feet. She wanted to talk to him the most.

"Where are we going?" She directed the question at Waya, but Jed answered first.

"Packhouse."

That doesn't explain much. Ashina pressed her lips together and marched on. Quiet settled over the bunch for a while until the Fae couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"What is your, um... Pack name?"

Loveta grinned and sighed audibly as if the silence was weighing on her too.

"Invictus. It means unconquerable in Latin."

The group all seemed proud of their title. Ashina wondered if they decided it themselves or someone gave it to them. The possibility of the former statement being true made her chuckle quietly.

"You guys really like your old languages," Ashina remarked with a smile before picking up her pace. She tried to catch up to Lopus without breaking into a trot, but it appeared that she would remain well behind him unless she sprinted. The Fae was not going to lower herself to chase after a man.

She would yell at one, though. "Excuse me, Lopus. Can I ask you something?"

The whole group froze as his body turned towards hers. Ashina had continued to walk unfazed and was now only a few feet from his towering form. His eyes flickered behind her, and she heard five pairs of feet running parallel to them until they faded into the trees.

They were alone.

"You didn't have to make them leave. I just wanted to talk to you for a bit."

Lopus's chuckle soothed her soul, his previous confusing frown completely gone. "Go ahead."

Ashina pulled a face as Every thought she ever had suddenly escaped her. "Uh- What do you know about those, um, wolves that were with me?"

He sighed as he looked down at her, thinking. "They are from a neighbouring pack. Their Alpha is not someone you want to meet. He kills for sport. Ernouf murdered his Beta; ripped his damned throat out..."

A strange pain shot through Ashina's chest while Lopus looked forward with distaste. The pain got worse, and she doubled over slightly. And they're the ones who have my mother?

Warm hands clasped her shoulders, and she shivered beneath their touch. "What's wrong?"

Ashina shook her head, "Not exactly sure," she half-lied. "I woke up last week in a Fae realm with no memories." Or clothes. A flush wrapped around her torso, easing the coldness of her dripping outfit.

"Nothing at all?"

The young woman shook her head again, looking at his curious face. He was so cute.

"But you're a Fae?" He had heard their conversation earlier.

So that's why Loveta whispered.

"I think so, yes. At least half."

His look hardened ever so slightly. "And the other half?"

Her shoulders shrugged up to her ears as she continued walking. Lopus followed a half step behind, and she could feel his gaze on her back. "I don't know. Probably human, I guess."

"Half breeds aren't common, Ashina." His low voice sounded cautious. "They are usually the product of illegal means..."

She shuddered from his words, but they felt very wrong to her. "No. Not me. Pretty sure I was born from love." Ashina chuckled at the odd word choice, but it sounded like something she had heard before.

My mother must have said that. She buried Louve's words of her mother suffering again, hoping Lopus wouldn't notice.

"I thought you said you had no memory." His voice sounded guarded again.

"Sometimes, things just come to me," she replied quickly, clasping her trembling hands. "Are we almost there yet? My feet hurt."

His gaze shot to her cracked bare feet, dirt and mud mixture squelching between her toes.

Before taking another step, Lopus scooped her into his arms and pressed her against his chest. She protested and scowled at him for the unexpected movement, but he felt so warm. She stilled, letting his body heat thaw her frozen digits.

The earthy scent rolled off his neck too, and she confirmed it was cinnamon she could smell earlier. "Why do you smell so nice?" Ashina asked innocently.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. At the sudden movement, she unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

Rolling her eyes at his non answer, she grumbled, "You're carrying me. The least you could do is answer my questions."

"I did."

"You shrugged."

"Yes, because I'm not sure."

She rolled her eyes again and leaned her head back as if unconscious. "I can see something over there." It looked like a little upside-down shed, with barred windows and a sagging roof covered in orange pine needles.

"It's our holding cells. For young wolves to shift safely." His voice had a softness that made Ashina melt deeper into his touch. His clothes dampened from her soaked attire, and she cringed as realization set it.

"We must almost be there then." Her excitement rose as the so-called 'Packhouse' was closer than ever. The allure of a warm shower almost had her moaning aloud before she lifted her head again and let it rest against his hard chest.

A rhythmic thumping sounded in her ears, and she felt her pulse slow to match it. Ashina looked up at Lopus one last time, and his ticking jaw made her pause. She watched as his Adam's apple bobbed slowly, his gaze hardening on the tree line.

"Almost there," he replied.