She stiffened immediately.
“I know,” I said before she could retreat. “You don’t like being close.” My words hardened. “But alphas run hot.Really hot.Just being near me will keep you warmer, and this isn’t about comfort. It’s about survival.”
Knox inclined his head. “Survival,” he said calmly, “is something you’re already very good at, runt.”
Her gaze darted between us, calculating and weighing our words. She was always doing that. Measuring risk.
“For fuck’s sake Lena, I’m not going to pin you down,” I added, impatience creeping before I could help it. “Or trap you! If you want me gone, I’ll move. It’s that simple.”
She hesitated until another shiver ran through her, deeper this time. Her teeth clicked again, louder.
I exhaled slowly. “You can freeze and chatter so loud you give our location away,” I said bluntly. “Or you can let me help. Those are your options.”
Knox shot me a look but didn’t contradict me.
Finally, after a long moment, she reluctantly nodded.
“Good,” I said, already moving toward her. “Scoot over.”
She did, inching toward the far edge of the inflatable mattress, leaving as much space as possible between us. I laid beside her, keeping my movements slow and visible. My hands rested on my chest where she could see them clearly.
I didn’t touch her.
Didn’t crowd her.
I just existed there, solid and warm.
It took a minute, maybe two, but the chattering faded. Her breathing eased, still shallow and cautious, but no longer panicked.
Knox returned his attention to the window, satisfied.
“See?” I murmured. “I’m not so bad.”
She didn’t answer, nod, or even look at me at all.
Initially, she remained stiff, keeping a careful distance between our bodies, and tensing every muscle as if preparing forcontact. I didn’t move, worried to even breathe too deep. I just stayed right where I was, solid and warm, letting the cold do the convincing for me.
Time passed.
The heater hummed uselessly. Cold pressed in from the concrete floor, walls, and broken window frames. I could feel it leaching through my layered clothes, creeping inside.
Then she shifted, just barely an inch. So slight, I almost missed it.
Her shoulders loosened slightly, the tension easing just enough for her to edge closer, drawn by my alpha warmth, which she couldn’t ignore anymore. I stayed still, eyes fixed on the ceiling, hands exactly where I’d promised they would be.
Another minute.
Then her back brushed my arm.
An accidental contact.
Her breath hitched, and she froze again, waiting. When nothing happened, when I didn’t move, react, or trap her, she let out a breath of relief.
She shifted once more, this time deliberately, pressing closer until the space between us disappeared. Her body curled, knees tucked up, fitting herself against me, seeking warmth.
I adjusted slightly, turning onto my side, just enough to shield her better from the cold, still not pressing closer. My body curved around hers without enclosing her, creating a barrier rather than a cage.
She made a soft sound, barely more than a sigh. Then her weight shifted as she finally settled fully against me.
