LISA
After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.
I'm too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don't want to know what ti it is. If it's too early, I'll know we're still ages from seeing Ava. If it's too late, I'll be even more exhausted knowing how long we've been trudging through the snow.
Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I'm not in as good of shape as I'd thought.
Kellan's doubtful stare when I asked to co along is really making sense.
"Don't worry." Mira's friendly voice tells she's back. Sotis she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren't far now."
Thank. Fucking. God.
Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That's their camp."
My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan's head. His broad shoulders haven't slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"
"Not at all." Mira's smile warms her words. "We don't always scout in wolf form, you know."
"Why not?" It hadn't occurred to that they would do that, but now that she's ntioned it—well, why wouldn't they? "Wouldn't it be easier?"
Mira kicks at the snow, her boots sending up a sparkling spray. "Things are different when we're shifted. We don't make a habit of staying in wolf form for too long."
"Different how?"
"Our thoughts are simpler. More primal. Instincts take over. Pack bonds grow stronger, but complex reasoning becos harder. Plus, clothes are a pain to deal with. No one likes shifting butt-naked in snow."
I steal another glance at Kellan's back. His steady stride hasn't faltered once during our conversation.
Sweat trickles down my spine despite the freezing air. My legs burn with each step through the deep snow, and my breath cos in harsh pants that crystallize in front of my face. The rising sun does nothing to warm , though its rays paint the endless white landscape in shades of gold.
The smoke is ever closer, and eventually the scent of cooking at makes my mouth water. The promise of warmth and food urges forward those last few steps until the camp cos into view.
"Lisa!" Ava's excited shout carries across the snow as she waves both arms like a maniac.
Before I can wave back, a silver blur crashes through the snow. Selene slams into with the force of a furry semi, knocking flat on my back. Her tongue assaults my face with enthusiastic licks.
"Stop, stop!" I laugh, trying to shield my face from her assault. "Your breath stinks!"
Mira's strong hands grip my arms, hauling back to my feet. Snow clings to my clothes, but I don't care as I stumble forward to wrap Ava in a tight hug.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" Ava squeezes back just as hard.
"Just wanted to see you." I pull back, noting the rosy flush in her cheeks. She looks better than I do after a night in the wild. "Heard you've been busy."
"Not so much, actually. But once Vanessa shoves this al down my throat, I've got a lot to do."
Kellan's already deep in conversation with Marcus, their heads bent together as they discuss whatever important wolf business demands their attention. We're here to bring at back to Wolf's Landing.
"So I heard you caught a moose?"
Ava snorts. "The n caught a moose. I'm just going to help eat it. Want so stew? You look half-frozen."
On cue, my stomach lets out an embarrassingly loud growl. Ava laughs and loops her arm through mine, leading toward the tent. The sll of herbs and at grows stronger with each step.
Inside, Vanessa thodically packs supplies into neat bundles, barely sparing us a glance as we enter the warm space.
"Luxurious," I observe. Most tents I've ever seen camping are small. Not the kind you stand up in.
"It wasn't bad, but Greg snored all night."
Warmth welcos as Ava has sit on what appears to be a folded sleeping bag. My muscles protest the movent—I'll definitely feel this trek tomorrow. But it was worth it. Good to know what these people do every ti they go out.
I didn't realize even my best friend does this every ti she goes out to purify the world. Then again, she isn't really human. She's long since outmatched in strength and stamina.
"Here." Ava hands a steaming bowl, and the rich aroma makes my mouth water. "Careful, it's hot."
I cup the bowl in my hands, relishing the heat against my frozen fingers. "Thanks. So how's the purifying going?"
"That's the weird thing." She settles cross-legged beside , taking the opportunity to brush her long blonde hair. I guess she hasn't been up long. "There's barely been anything to purify."
Steam rises from my spoon as I blow on it carefully. My brow pinches as I process her words. "Wait, what? How is that possible? You said you've been knee-deep in them all week. I think the word you used was drowning in them."
"I know." Her blue eyes are troubled as they et mine, only to break eye contact as she yanks through a particularly gnarly tangle. "It doesn't make sense. There's a large patch nearby, though. I wanted to get an early start, but the guys deserved a break after their long night."
I take a careful sip of the stew. The rich broth explodes with flavor on my tongue—tender at and root vegetables perfectly seasoned. Yum. I love moose. Never had it before we ca here, but now I'm addicted.
"Any idea why?"
"No. Maybe whatever's causing it is finally winding down? I've only found two small patches to purify. Both were pretty weak."
Huh. This is not the news I was expecting. "At least you didn't overwork yourself, I guess?"
"Yay?" Ava chuckles, but sobers quic. "I don't know. It makes feel uneasy. Like sothing's going to happen."
"Go knock on wood. Don't jinx us."
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