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The light was almost blinding as I finally peeled my eyes open. I tipped my head to shield myself from the worst, only for the icy snow to bite at the side of my face.
I groaned and took stock. Everything ached. My lungs complained with every breath. My head felt like a ringing bell. But I was alright. I was whole.
I gave myself a few more moments to simply exist before forcing myself into an upright position. When I looked down at my lap, I realized I was caked in blood.
Ugh.
It was normal to wake up from a full moon like this. My wolf became a savage, unrecognizable monster. He killed and maimed for the sheer sport of it. It was a good thing there were no terrestrial mammals in Antarctica, or he would have been much more of an issue.
As I glanced around, I saw the remains of a seabird or two, and further away lay what remained of a leopard seal.Well, that explains the blood.However, much better to kill an animal than a researcher from one of the expeditions down here.
I eyed the body again. Leopard seals were notoriously vicious. It didn’t surprise me that my wolf had chosen to go after something that would fight back. He’d have fed off the creature’s fear and anger as well as its flesh.
I sat there a little while longer before forcing myself to my feet. The after-effects of the moon sickness would linger for another day or two, rendering me cold and uncomfortable, but at least my wolf had exhausted itself and I no longer felt like I’d snap at any given moment. I could return to Celeste and the others without putting them in danger.
I inhaled, then searched my mind for the little part that’d become the shared space with Celeste. It took me a moment to focus on it, disoriented as I was. It felt distant, like I was looking at something in the water or listening through panes of glass.
Celeste felt concerned, but I couldn’t be entirely certain.Perhaps I’ve wandered farther than I realized.
I grimaced and scanned the horizon, but all I saw was snow, snow, and more snow. The only landmarks were the remains of the animals I’d killed. I scowled at the leopard seal.How far did I drag that thing?
Somehow, that didn’t surprise me, either. Trotting a trophy around? How very like my wolf.
I shook off the thought and tried to reach for the bond again. I’d never tried to communicate with Celeste through it before, and while I wasn’t up for a real conversation, I wanted her to know I was alright.
I closed my eyes, trying to focus on those calming, reassuring feelings. I couldn’t be sure she received them, but I wasn’t going to hang around and wait to find out.
Dragging my wolf back up from the depths, I shifted back to my four paws and began to run.At leastI’d never get lost.If there was one thing my wolf and I agreed on, it was returning to Celeste’s side.
The storm that Celeste and Val had stirred up to shield the Southern Sky Research Station from nosy scientists had grown on its own. By the time I finally got to the small outcropping of buildings, I’d been pelted by icy wind for at least three hours. I hadn’t even made it to the door of the main structure when Celeste came rushing out, hair whipping around her head like a dark halo.
I froze, aware of what a sight I must have made: shivering, spent, and covered in blood, snow, and probably my own wolf’s spit. Disgusting. But as I stood there, I realized there was no fear or even alarm in my mate’s eyes.
“Fenris,” she said, and the only thing I heard in her voice was relief. She wrapped her arms around her frame. “Jeez, it’s freezing in here. Come on, get inside. You need to warm up.”
I was helpless to do anything but obey—resistance never even crossed my mind. I stepped forward, almost stumbling over my feet as the snow crunched between my boots. She hurried me into the building, closing the door behind us and sealing the storm outside before ushering me back to one of the private rooms. I was so tired, I barely noticed where I was going.
Celeste said nothing as she began stripping me of my ruined clothes, tossing them to the side. I hadn’t even noticed the little wash basin of steaming water until she reached for it, gently wiping away the encrusted blood my wolf had left behind. She didn’t take long—even if we were safe inside the bunker, it was only meant for survival, not luxury. The chill started to set in, but Celeste was already helping me get into clean clothes.
Walter must have had those ready,I thought distantly, not protesting as she ushered me toward the bed.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, not sitting until I was on the cot first.
I shook my head and looked over at her. “Not at all,” I grumbled. In fact, I always felt a little sick after my wolf’s feral rampages, and he’d certainly gorged himself tonight.
“Okay,” Celeste said. “Okay.”
“You are all I need,” I said a moment later, barely stifling a yawn. I held out one arm, inviting her to join me. “Please,” I finally added. I was tired, but I wasn’t a brute and I wasn’t my wolf. I could remember my manners.
Celeste didn’t even hesitate before settling down next to me, her back pressing into my chest. She gave a little wriggle before reaching down to pull the covers around us. A heavy sigh escaped me, and I’d almost completely drifted off when I heard Celeste murmur something.
“I really hate that curse.”
I blinked, barely able to open my eyes. I nuzzled the base of her neck. “Hm?” I hummed, not sure I hadn’t dreamed it.
“I had no idea it was so bad,” she whispered. “But I’ll help you stop it. Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”
This time, I forced my eyes open and wrapped my arm around her middle, holding her close as I tried to process that promise. It’d been centuries since I had anyone to lean on. I hadn’t needed that support, but I’d also given myself no choice in the matter because I hadn’tallowedit. But I was a wolf shifter, and a wolf still needed a pack. A family.
