"We pooled what we had. So had camping supplies, others had extra food. But it was a stretch over those first two weeks. I’ve been out to scavenge with a few of the n, but ga is scarce and frozen solid. Ruined my knives quite terribly."
Tom walked back to chat with us while his aunt went to hurry and rally those on cooking duty. His comnt both reminded to talk to Kyrie about my idea for shifting frozen food when we get back, as well as introduced that potential downside.
Gnawing on frozen at is extra work and can wear down the fangs - and humans can’t eat it that way without getting sick. But I’m sure sowhere in the city is more industrial grade butchering equipnt that can sever the parts.
I’m sure the hardware stores have plenty of those ’reciprocating’ blades and saws, if it cos down to it. Remind her of that too and see if it is an option.
"The caves stay warm from the hot springs deeper down. There’s also so fresh lt water running from overhead in a few places. "
As he spoke, I took in the scene again. These humans had created a functioning, if small, community but why here? Why this specific cave system?
I’m sure Kyrie is just as curious as I am, but she seems to be in a possessive and protective Alpha mindset currently. I know that I should scold her and make her go mingle to learn more for us.
However, she’s hand her fingers linked with my hand - the one not holding this lump of black velvet sleeping peacefully - ever since they left my face. A traitor of a body part that had squeezed back and hadn’t stopped, no matter what logical signals I send.
"Is your little one in want of anything?"
Sarah ca back with a satchel on her side and I forcefully glance away from the linked arms of two werewolf won. Two that are supposed to be Fated Mates. Two that know and don’t know each other.
> But the number two is... good. <
"...He isn’t old enough to want anything but to nurse and sleep next to ."
"Enjoy it while you can. Before you know it, all they want is to dodge your hugs and prefer socializing with friends over their family."
"Are you still holding a grudge? You weren’t the one who was made fun of for weeks in school."
The man beside us sighed before walking off again. I think they are trying to show the others that coming and going between us is fine. Or they are making sure to keep one marked on us at all tis - as an early warning.
"I had my own daughter, Tommy. Who said I was talking about you? Guilty conscience, hm?"
Her voice was loud enough to make the others chuckle nervously. And an equally nervous white wolf tightened her grip as an old hand went into the full bag at her side full of all kinds of human scents.
"What I’m trying to say is that children are worth the later pain. I’m certain you’ve already decided it was worth the labor, or else you wouldn’t be holding onto it that way. Ah, here it is."
A white teddy bear is presented toward us and clearly neither knew what to do. The CEO must have been expecting a weapon and I... well, I have talked to this woman enough in her shop to know not to expect anything but a sale’s pitch.
"If you give a little bit, I could perhaps get sothing in order to trade for it, but-"
"It’s a gift, Citra. Or a tithe to my ’Chosen’. However you’d like to think of it."
An even tighter grip on my hand, but yet sohow I can feel in it - and the way she leans into like she is relieved - that the silly wolf’s outlook on this situation has changed. Just a bit petulant, after that sentence.
"You could have told she was one of your system pack mbers... It’s not like they have different scent or looks. But I guess it makes sense. Everyone that showed up at the tower claiming they’d seen the ssage were usually kind."
Kyrie took the offered item into her own hand, since she wasn’t about to let let go. It may be a bear plush, but the fact that it is white and held to her chest makes my eyelashes flutter before my face turns.
> One in her arms, one in mine. Two is a good number. But that line of thought is too complex to ever be good. <
"Why would I want to associate with anyone that wasn’t kind? Besides, it wasn’t like I knew all of them would know..."
"Oh, so the ssage went out to a bunch of folks. Here I thought I was special."
"You are."
The CEO and leader of the largest werewolf pack in the region - especially including the many Ogas - assured her so quickly. Yet, how important can soone be who you were just growling at, anyway? She sees that sort of question on my face and gives her own questioning look back.
"If you picked her to care about, even if its one of a thousand people, they are important and special. At least until I’m told otherwise."
Such audacity. Bumping the hard little black ’nose’ of the toy right onto mine before reversing the bear and kissing it. Who knows where that has been or what it was touching in that
> She could have just kissed on the nose herself first. <
The ability to say this in my heart without a species-appropriated gekker from my wolf just makes it easier for the thought to sink right in. Because I have no one to pretend for but myself now. I never used to have anyone but myself - and people I didn’t care deeply about, anyway.
But that was an impotent, lonely state both inside my constructed mindscape and outside of it. This woman isn’t letting run off *alone* as easily anymore. Not out in reality.
"You’re so very reliable, Pyārī."
"What does that word an?"
> Turns out that the fall doesn’t really hurt so much. <
It’s *realizing* that you’ve fallen and can’t get back up without the person that tripped you in the first place.
"Ask your assistant later. I’m not telling."
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