Page 13 of Destined to the Lycan (The Shadow Realms #3)
Remus
F or the thousandth time, I cast a guilty glance towards Amara.
We’d been riding for hours, only slowing down for our mounts to rest a little, as well as very brief stops for food and drink.
Despite her obvious discomfort at times, my woman displayed an impressive resilience without a single complaint.
I hated that her first experience exploring Wolfmoon Mountains should be under such dire circumstances, and that it should occur in such a strenuous fashion.
However, peering up at the darkening skies reinforced the validity of the punishing pace I had set.
The gathering clouds upset me more than words could express.
I’d hoped we would have traveled much farther before the storm came upon us.
Normally, I would have delayed our departure until the weather cooperated better. But my woman was on borrowed time.
In that single day separated from her, the scent of death that clung to her had noticeably increased, despite its subtlety. The need to protect and save Amara burned in my gut. I just wished I had wings to fly her directly to our destination and get all of this over with for her sake.
When I veered off the packed dirt road we’d been following since exiting the village, my mate gave me an inquisitive look. I slowed down my horse to a slow trot, and she immediately adjusted her mount’s speed to mine.
“The storm will begin soon,” I explained, gesturing with my chin at the dark clouds hanging menacingly overhead. “We must find shelter before it does.”
“Okay,” Amara replied in a soft voice that failed to hide the obvious relief she felt.
Another wave of guilt swept through me. I couldn’t tell if the fear of being caught outside in the elements or exhaustion from our rough journey so far prompted that reaction. Then again, it could very well be a mix of both.
“There’s a cave located less than a mile from here. If we hurry, we’ll be there shortly,” I said, pointing in its general direction.
“Lead the way,” she replied with a grateful smile.
I picked up the pace, cutting through the woods until we reached our destination. This area was safe, the local wildlife mostly made of herbivores and small mammals more likely to run from us than to attack.
Seeing Amara’s face light up as the trees parted to reveal a tall rock outcropping brought a smile to my face. Although this place was anything but fancy or comfortable, I loved how I felt as if I was caring for my mate.
I stopped the horses outside the entrance of the natural cave.
Over the years, my peers modified the opening to form a sheltering wall that kept strong winds or rain from getting inside whenever we needed to seek refuge within.
They carved an additional section to act as a temporary stable for our mounts.
I hopped off my horse and hastened to Amara’s side to help her down.
The way she beamed at me made me feel dizzy.
How could anyone pack so much kindness, gratitude, and warmth in a single smile?
But it was the feel of her slender waist beneath my palms as I lifted her off her ride that messed with my head.
The memory of her hands holding mine came flooding back.
I didn’t want to release her after setting her down on her feet.
I just wanted to draw her into my embrace and bury my face in the puffy curls of her hair.
My skin heated, and my vision brightened as I forced myself to release her. To my shock, an almost shy expression fleeted over my mate’s beautiful face. But it was the pleased—almost smug—edge to her smile that retained my attention.
Does she know what is happening with me?
Judging by my physiological responses, I didn’t doubt my sclera had darkened.
Did she know what it meant? Did she notice how much warmer my skin got whenever I was in close proximity with her?
If so, would it be too bold of me to assume this satisfied smile meant she wouldn’t be opposed to a relationship with the likes of me?
But now wasn’t the time to speculate. A loud rumbling in the distance indicated the storm would begin any minute now. I quickly secured our horses in the nook connecting to the main area through a doorway on the left side, and relieved them of their burden while Amara fed them.
She joined me shortly thereafter in the main room.
Its organic shape vaguely resembled an oval, with a high ceiling in the center which slanted down towards the edges.
The packs had smoothed down the stalactites and sharper edges that made staying here slightly hazardous.
Five sconces illuminated the room with purple magical flames, creating an intimate and soothing ambiance.
Although mostly barren, the cave offered a makeshift table and benches, which had been carved directly out of the stone.
“Have a seat and eat,” I offered in a friendly manner as I pulled out some of the food Misty provided. “Tomorrow, I will hunt for us and serve you a freshly cooked meal once we reach the lodge.”
“Don’t worry about such things,” Amara said. “This isn’t a guided tour for leisure. I don’t expect gourmet meals and fancy accommodations. So long as I go to bed with something in my belly, and we’re not getting rained on, I’m happy.”
“Those two things I can definitely promise,” I said teasingly. “But a bit of extra comfort is always welcome.”
“Agreed,” Amara replied. “But I don’t want you fretting over it or going out of your way to make it happen. I’m just grateful you agreed to take me on this journey.”
“You’re kind, but I will always fret over the welfare of the people in my charge,” I replied, keeping it neutral when I really wanted to say that I would do anything for the comfort of my mate.
“So I see,” she replied, waving at the cave. “This isn’t a random formation. This table and benches are clearly manmade, even though they are still rough.”
I nodded. “Hunters frequently use this place, as well as hikers. Normally, they will put a sleeping mat on this slab for the night.”
She frowned while glancing at the large section of stone I was pointing at. Two more similar slabs had been roughly carved into the rectangular shape of a single bed.
“If people regularly use them here, why didn’t you let me bring my own mat on this journey?” she asked, confused. “Sleeping directly on the rock or on the ground will be rather uncomfortable tonight.”
“Because the mat will become too cumbersome later on in our journey,” I explained in an apologetic tone.
“I really hoped we would reach the lodge tonight so you would be more comfortable. As I previously mentioned, the path we must travel will grow increasingly rough. In fact, I will carry you for the last leg of the trip.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Carry me?!”
I nodded with a teasing expression. “Technically, you will actually ride my wolf.”
Shoving that piece of dried meat into my mouth to free my hand, I leaned down to retrieve the harness from one of my bags propped up against the side of the bench. Amara stared in disbelief as I unfolded it to show her.
“This was one of the reasons I needed an extra day before our departure,” I explained smugly, although a sliver of nervousness reared its head at her potential reaction. “I made this harness for you yesterday.”
Robbed of words, Amara’s gaze flicked incredulously between the harness and my face.
“Ride you like a horse?” she asked in a hesitant voice.
“Yes,” I replied, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
She stared at me a second longer, seeming unsure as to how she felt about it. “Do you do that often for people?”
I recoiled and looked at her as if she said something outrageous. Although that question was fair under the circumstances, it still rubbed me the wrong way.
“Never! This will be my first time doing this,” I said, sounding a little offended.
“But you will do it for me?” she insisted, a strange expression fleeting over her features.
I responded with a grunt and a stiff nod.
“Why?” Amara asked with sincere confusion.
“Because you are sick, and you will absolutely need it if we are to reach our destination. The journey will put far too great a strain on you without my assistance. I pledged to take you to the cure, and I’m a man of my word,” I said.
That same strange expression flashed over her face. She chewed her bottom lip as if pondering whether to ask the question that clearly burned her tongue.
“Would you do this for another sick customer?” she asked at last.
“No.”
Her brows shot up at the swift and definitive way I responded.
“Would you take another dying person to Ranael, if they asked?” Amara insisted when I didn’t expand further.
I hesitated. “Probably not.”
She scrunched her face when I reached for another piece of dried meat and started chewing instead of providing additional explanation for my stance.
“Is it for the reasons Ulric claimed?”
I froze, stopped mid-chew, and studied her face as if it would reveal what she meant. My mind raced as I speculated about what horror he might have said about me.
“What did he say?” I asked cautiously.
She held my gaze unwaveringly, her face unreadable.
“He said a lot of wild things,” she replied in a non-committal fashion.
“Like what?” I insisted, annoyed to have her give me a taste of my own medicine.
“He claims that you are dangerous, and that you’re only taking me so that you can bed me.”
I jumped to my feet, anger and outrage swelling within me. “I’m not a rapist! I would never trap a woman or lure her into the woods just to have my way with her!”
Amara raised her palm in an appeasing gesture and indicated for me to resume my seat.
“I know. Ulric confirmed as much. Please, sit down,” she said in a soothing voice.
My jaw dropped, and I remained frozen, my mind reeling until she once more gestured for me to sit.
“He did?” I asked, confused as I settled back down on the bench.
She nodded. “He claims that you believe we’re soulmates.”