I slowly slid my eyes open when I felt something wet and smooth move up and down my face. My vision is blocked by something big and tall and I raise my hand only to touch something soft and smooth.
I snap my eyes fully open, bringing myself back to full consciousness and I see Ash licking my face.
"Hey," I say with a smile, rubbing her body and pushing my body to sit up. I don't know why, but for some reason I feel more alive than yesterday. Was it because Ash is finally a mother now?
I look around me and I see no sign of Killian. The fire had been rekindled with more woods and it tells me that he has been up for long. He must have gone back to the house, I thought. He was probably getting some food.
I watch as Ash walk back to where her babies are and they all seem to be sleeping at the same time. It is such a beautiful sight, I blushed.
I snap my eyes to look at the entrance when I heard footsteps and I see Killian walking inside.
"You are up," he said when he saw me and I see him carrying two big dead rabbits.
"Hmm," I nod and say to him, "I thought you went home."
"No," he said as he went to the corner and set down the rabbits.
Ash let out a growl and I see her looking at Killian.
"Ah, you must be hungry," he said and I laughed.
He set up another fire where he roasted the rabbits and after some time, we were both sitting near it. He cut a piece from it and gave it to me which I threw in my mouth immediately, chewing on it.
I let out a satisfied sound as the meat tasted so good in my mouth. Killian looked at me at the same time and I see the corner of his lips pull into a smile before he turned his head back and cut another piece for himself.
Ash growled again, this time, much louder than the first and I let out a chuckle. "She really must be hungry," I say.
"I got you Ash," Killian said and threw her a piece which she grabbed with her teeth and pull inside her mouth.
"I think we should head back when we are done," he said after a while.
"Yes," I say. "Uncle Garett must have known I slept out."
"I don't think he would mind if he knows that I was with you. It's better than leaving you out here alone."
I find myself smiling but I'm suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety when Killian turn his head to look at me in the eye. There is something about the way he is looking at me. His gaze is so intense and I see him lowering it to fall somewhere around my lips.
The fire crackled and I'm suddenly lit up. There are different sparks and butterflies in my stomach right now. I don't know if a twenty-two-year-old is supposed to feel this way.
"I can't let myself be caught up in this moment", I suddenly remind myself and I move my head away just when he inched his face closer.
"We should get going," I quickly say and I am standing to my feet at the same time. I pick the glove from the side and I look at Killian from the corner of my eyes. His head is buried down and I can easily tell he is disappointed.
I feel so sorry for him, but I cannot admit that I also want him. One can say I am scared, and yes, I do not want to start what I won't be able to end. I am always reminded about my mother all the time. I was a mistake, and I am trying not to get into the way of anyone.
I put on the glove and Killian is folding the blanket.
"What will you do about the babies?" He is asking me and I realized I haven't really given it a thought.
I can't take Ash back without her babies. They are her family now. And I wouldn't want her to lose them also. I know most wolves don't stay long with their mother and I know the feeling of that.
"Are you good with pups?"
He turned and looked at me with a known smile. "I see what you did there," he said and I quirk my lips up.
We left the cave and are on our way back to the house. Killian made sure I walk in the places less sloppy. He must have been reminded of the almost death-fall as much as I am reminded. He could have been carrying my corpse in his arms right now and about to inform the others. People really need to cherish the ones still alive. There is no use of care after one is gone.
Ryan, Zeke, Ravenna and Kira- the last of our family, are standing outside and all geared up when we arrived and I see the surprise on their face when they see Killian and I walking in.
Ravenna quickly came to me and said in a hushed voice;
"Where did you go? I thought you came back yesterday. I didn't even realize you didn't sleep in your room until this morning when we saw that the both of you were missing."
"I told you I was going out to look for Ash."
"Yes, and that wolf pet of yours is still not back, is it?" Kira spoke from where she stood with the others and I see her folding her arms while her eyes bore at me. She looked nothing less than a villain with her dyed blue hair.
"Tell me Brienne," Ryan said, "is she dead?"
I pull my brows at him and push Ravenna to the side but she held me back from going to him.
"How can you say that about Ash?" I ask him with a frown.
"So, what?" Zeke defended. "Did you and Killian have a couple's night out then? You must think we do not know how so in love both of you are."
His words made me furious and I wanted to jerk free but Ravenna is still not letting me go. It made me so furious.
"You need to learn to keep your mouth shut," Killian say on my behalf and Zeke stepped forward.
"Are you supposed to be saying that right now after you let the commander put us out here so we can go in search of you two?"
"Then can't you do that much? I thought we were all supposed to look out for each other, no?" Killian said.
"Not if you were busy making out in the woods."
"Go to hell Ryan. I really hate you right now," I yell at him.
"Brie, just ignore him," Ravenna said to me but I just wasn't having it.
Ryan and Zeke get on my nerve all the time and it's exhausting, but I'm not going to give them the satisfaction either. I push Ravenna off me and stood my ground.
"If one of you is out for just thirty minutes without saying anything to anyone, I always make sure to come looking for you. You even pulled this prank on me several times but I never minded it. I told you Ash was missing and all you did was play chess and mock her. Ash is my family and she mean more to me than the two of you can ever be."
"So then," Kira spoke and jerked her head where her hairs fell backwards to now reveal her face properly, "did you find her?"
"We did," Killian answered.
"Why didn't you bring her with you?" Ravenna asked behind me but I didn't give an answer.
Ash was supposed to be the news I bring to them but they ruined it—they ruined it all, and so they don't deserve to kn—
"She is with her babies."
"Ash was pregnant?" Ravenna asked, surprised.
I turn my head to look at Killian at the side and I am flashing him a glare. Why did he have to break the news to them? If anything, I should be the one to deliver it to them, but he isn't looking at me and I see his hardened expression.
"And just so you know, someone could have really died last night."
I blinked and I can hear the little gasps that escaped from Ravenna's lips behind me.
"Did someone get hurt?" Kira is asking.
I move my eyes to look at her and I see her looking back at me with concern etched on her forehead. She is suddenly lowering her hand and I shift my eyes to see Ryan and Zeke looking from me to Killian. I shook my head and turned my feet away to start walking. I couldn't wait for a second and watch them give me that sympathetic face. It sucks!
I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and I halted when I saw the pair of legs that stood in my way with a coat that swept the snow. My breath ceased for a second and I slowly raise my head to see Uncle Garett. I see the wrinkles on his forehead and I can tell he looks disturbed.
"Follow me," he said and turned, walking away.
I lower my head and I'm suddenly overwhelmed with fury. I move my head to the side just a little bit. Killian just had to ruin everything and now I don't know what Uncle Garett must be thinking.
I walk away from there and went to the next quarters after ours. It was where Uncle Garett stays and also where we train—it was where I lived after leaving Geovia before I later moved in with the others.
I'm marching up the cobblestone and entering through the stone archway before continuing in the long stone hallway that went straight up. Soon, I'm inside the building, and I am surrounded with walls that circled around me. I see Uncle Garett standing few feet in front of me, eyes directed at me and hands behind his back. He does that always whenever there is something important he wants to say.
I stop in front of him and lower my head a bit, waiting for him to scold me…
"It's good that you came back in one piece."
I raise my head to look at him, somewhat relieved that he is not mad that I didn't sleep in, but his expression didn't say the same and the next I heard him say is;
"The king has called for you. Prepare for travel."