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She was willing to suffer to avoid it.
Sucking in a deep breath to calm myself, I swallowed what I wanted to say.
“We need to be sure the bleeding has stopped. I’ll go get your shoe, then I’ll check your foot when I get back. You will not move until I return.”
Her wide eyes dropped under my stern glare, and her body relaxed under my hand in submission. I knew she didn’t like it, but there was no way she’d be walking without my help, so she had no choice.
“Okay.”
Wulf had flopped on his side close to Ivy, and I wasn’t going far, so I trusted that she would be safe until my return.
I strode back to where Ivy had stepped on the branch. It was easy to find since our scents were fresh, giving me a beacon to follow right to the shoe. Assuring myself it wasn’t missing any thorns, I worked her shoe free of the roots and headed back.
Ivy was right where I’d left her. She was scratching Wulf’s ears as he leaned against her, moaning his appreciation.
Huffing, I knelt beside them and checked the bandage I’d placed on her foot. There was a small spot where blood had soaked through, but it seemed to have stopped. I had to go slow, but I slipped her shoe on over it so there was a bit of extra pressure.
Letting out a sigh, I looked up and met Ivy’s eyes.
“You can’t give it a little time to heal?”
Her expression hardened and she shook her head.
“No. I have to get back before nightfall. If you help me up, I should be fine.”
I frowned and shook my head.
“No. If we go at all, I will carry you. You are not walking.”
The stubborn expression on her face told me she wasn’t going to be sensible.
“It’s too far for you to carry me. I can walk on my own.”
I stood and crossed my arms over my chest. She wouldn’t make it more than a few steps, even if she managed to get to her feet, so I remained silent, staring down at her as she glared back before she finally let out a huff and crossed her arms.
At least she was smart enough not to keep arguing.
“Fine.”
Lips tipping up at the corner, I filled the water jug before slipping my pack back on. Ivy sat stiff, head turned away, with her arms folded under her breasts. The position pushed them up and made me want to dip my tongue between them to see how they tasted.
Feeling my ridges start moving again, I tore my eyes away as I leaned down to lift her. Given no notice, she startled and let out a squawk of protest before throwing her arms around my neck to hold on as I stood.
Smiling into her narrowed eyes, I began walking, whistling for Wulf to follow.
“So, tell me more.”
“About what?”
“Your home. Your life. Whatever you would like to speak of.”
I would have shrugged but I didn’t want to jostle her. I didn’t really care what she talked about, I simply enjoyed hearing her voice and wanted to move on from our tiff.
“When Mother grew ill, my father refused to let anyone else tend her. Even after he grew sick, he still took care of her. They were betas so they didn’t have a bond, but he loved her so much he still died the night after her.”
My steps slowed. I hadn’t expected her to talk about something that was obviously painful, and I was surprised that her story was so similar to my own.
Clearing my throat, I looked up at the trees ahead.
