She didn’t fight me or complain as I took the lead to ensure she was safe. As we made our way up the steep hill and around the corner, I could see a part of the mountainside was carved out. It wasn’t an overly large opening, but it was better than the shelter behind us. I could protect Ada far more efficiently here.
“Here,” I said and gestured her inside, but shifted us so I was the one taking the lead in case there was anything living inside. Aside from the scent of damp earth, I picked up another scent. Fresh water.
The cave was only about ten feet deep, but as I led her inside, I could see the source of the water as the cavern curved to the right just slightly. Another twenty feet back there sat a small pool, a steady flow of water dripping down the dark rock and into the basin at the body.
I canvassed the area, making sure there wasn’t anything living in here, that it was safe and secure for the time being.
I could feel Ada close behind, and a thrill of intense pleasure washed through me. Although she wanted to act like we weren’t compatible and she was indifferent toward me, instinctively she also knew I’d protect her.
“We’ll stay here and rest.” I glanced over at her and saw Ada staring at the pool of water, this almost longing in her expression.
She had dirt smeared across her alabaster skin, her clothes were torn and tattered in places, and I hated myself for not ensuring she was taken care of before my own needs were met.
And those needs meant touching her, scenting her, and thinking about all the filthy fucking things I’d do to her.
So I went about and gathered up things to create a fire. And when that was burning in the center of the cave, I went over to the water, feeling it, smelling it, and finally tasting it.
Not the smartest conclusion to see if it was safe, but I’d poison myself ten times over just to take care of her needs.
When I felt secure that it was safe for her, I walked to the entrance of the cave and looked out. Although it was still dark, I could see hints of dusky daylight starting to peek across the horizon.
“Motherfucker,” I growled. We’d made it just in time.
“What? What’s wrong?” She was by my side an instant later, scanning the area. “Are you kidding me?” Her voice was breathy and incredulous.
She huffed out an irritated breath and turned, stalking back into the cave before sitting down in front of the fire.
Ada pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on them and staring at the flames.
I gritted my teeth, not used to this feeling of frustration. The fact that I couldn’t give my mate everything and anything she needed, even if said things were completely out of my control, pissed me off.
How did any Otherworlder stay sane?
So this was what it meant to be mated, to have your entire world revolving around one single person.
This was what it meant to know that you would live and die by the sound of their voice, the look of desire and need in their expression, and with the promise of the touch of their fingers against your skin.
I turned away from the cave and the rising sun and made my way back to Ada. She glanced up at me and I expected to see a fight reflected in her eyes, but instead I saw a hopelessness that had my chest tightening.
“Sorry. I promise this is my one and only temper tantrum.” She exhaled and gave a humorless laugh. “I’m too old to act like this, but I feel… frustrated is the only word that comes to mind.”
She closed her eyes, rubbing her fingers across them. “I’m just tired. And hungry.” She looked back at me again. “And I’d kill for a bubble bath right about now.” She snorted.
I didn’t show any expression, just tilted my head and watched her, seeing how the firelight played along her ruby-red locks and how her freckles seemed a little bit darker in the shadowed cavern.
Gods… she was stunning. And she’s all mine. Only mine.
I walked over to the satchel she’d set aside and started riffling through it. I grabbed one of the protein bars and the canteen of water, handing them both to her.
She slowly reached out and took them. “Thank you,” she said softly. “You should eat something, too.” She split the bar in half, handing part of it to me.
I shook my head. “You eat it.” She opened her mouth to argue, but a firm shake of my head had her pinching her lips shut. “I just want to take care of you.” With that, I turned and went into the small antechamber where the pool was.