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“How the hell did you fall asleep?”

Van released a low growl. “I was up all night on guard duty so you could get some rest, remember?”

“I’m sorry, man. I shouldn’t have left. This is all my fault,” Peterson muttered, dropping the string of fish he had been holding.

“Well, I’ll forgive you if you plan on cooking those for breakfast. I’m starving,” she said, peering down at them. “You know, the way you two were yelling, anyone within five miles of us probably heard you.”

In perfect unison, the men turned, their scowls conveying disapproval while their expressions hinted at a subtle sense of relief. Leaning against her lance, a sudden bout of lightheadedness washed over her, causing her to sway slightly. She wondered if her exhaustion and feeling unwell were causing her vertigo, or if it was the intense, relieved glances they were giving her.

As she swayed, they must have noticed because in an instant, Van had swept her up in his arms while Peterson stood close by, concern etched on his face. Peterson reached out to caress her cheek with his fingers. As she involuntarily shrank back, a mischievous twinkle appeared in her eye and she twitched her nose playfully, accompanied by a wry smile.

“Your hands smell like fish. I want to eat some, not smell like one,” she replied with a wary expression tinged with amusement to ease her response.

“Oh, right. Sorry. Why did you take off? How are you feeling?” he muttered.

“I needed to pee, and I’m fine. I think I’m just hungry,” she replied.

“Peterson—”

“I’m on it,” Peterson replied.

Jayden rested her head against Van’s shoulder, savoring the gentle rise and fall of his chest with each breath. The rhythmic thumping of his heartbeat offered a strangely reassuring sensation. She fought against acknowledging the overwhelming feeling of comfort and safety that washed over her as she melted into his embrace, but it was a losing battle. Her senses were overwhelmed by the two wolves’ presence. She was overcome with another wave of lightheadedness, leaving her feeling weak and disoriented, as if she had become a stranger in her own body. As hunger gnawed at her, she realized she needed to eat.

She was honest enough with herself to admit that it felt good to have some company after weeks of solitude, with only the hooting of the owl for companionship. Peterson retrieved her lance from where she had dropped it after Van’s sudden embrace. He carried it back down to the camp as Van gingerly navigated the rocks while keeping a firm grip around her. Despite her desire to assert her self-reliance, she couldn’t help but be entertained by the men fussing over her, treating her like a fragile blossom. In this unfamiliar territory, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension, unsure of what to expect.

“I did a perimeter check before I went fishing,” Peterson was saying as he placed her lance against the lean-to before picking up the fish he had caught.

“Did you find anything?” Van asked.

Peterson nodded. “Yeah. I went out a few more miles and found where the shifters who had been following Jayden had made camp. It was empty. I followed their scent for another couple of miles. I think they got tired of chasing her because they were making a beeline back toward the service road and not bothering to hide the fact.”

Jayden felt a glow building in her stomach when Peterson shot her a warm smile and winked at her. Van carried her over and lowered her to her feet. She sank down on a log they had added to her campsite. She looked around her with a bemused smile.

“I must have been out for a while for you guys to have done all of this,” she said, waving her hand at the shelter.

“Almost two days. You needed your rest and time to heal,” Van replied.

She looked up when Van wrapped one of the wool blankets around her shoulders before placing the other one over her legs. She didn’t move when he laid the back of his fingers against her forehead. He released a pleased grunt when he noticed her skin felt cool to the touch instead of heated.

“No fever, that’s good. How is your throat? Do you feel any tightness in your chest? Headaches? How does your leg feel?” he asked.

“I’m fine. No aches or pains except in my stomach because I’m hungry,” she replied.

“There are some crackers and a couple of energy bars in the backpack. That should hold her over until I’ve got the fish ready,” Peterson said.

Van gave a curt nod in response and disappeared back into the lean-to where her backpack was stashed. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders more tightly when another stiff breeze swept through the trees. It felt like there was another storm coming.

“Why are you two here?” she blurted out.

Peterson paused as he bent over the fire and frowned at her. “Because you are.”

Van partially unwrapped the protein bar and held it out to her. She took the offering and bit into it. Her stomach twisted with hunger pains and she had to resist the desire to eat too fast.

“Thank you,” she mumbled around the sweet and salty bar.

“Would you like something to drink?” Van asked.

“A cup of tea would be wonderful,” she replied.