Protector

Chapter XV

The cold came and went like the other seasons. The snow was slowly melting as March approached, bringing with it the promise of new life.

I blinked my eyes open. They wandered around the room before they fell on the lean arms wrapped around my waist. A smirk curled my lips.

I ran my fingers over his warm hands, stifling a chuckle when he pulled me into his chest. "Comfy?" He mumbled.

I wiggled around, resting my head against his bare chest. "Safe." I purred.

"Even better," He rumbled through a laugh, running his fingers through my scalp until I hummed. "How'd you sleep?"

"Amazingly well," I giggled, grinning. "Kinda hard not to when I'm cuddled up next to you."

Christian rolled his eyes and a smirk parted his lips. "Should we get up or wait for John to knock and drag us out?"

"I say we get up before he threatens to throw a pan at us," I muttered and rolled out of bed.

He scoffed but didn't argue any further.

"I was about to knock on the door and wake you, sleepyheads," John called from the dining table.

"We figured it was easier to get up than risk getting a pan thrown at us," Christian grumbled beside me.

"That was Jessica, guys!" John groaned, facepalming. "Pissing off Beasts isn't on my bucket list."

"Gotta hand it to that girl, though," I failed to stifle the hysterical grin plastering my face as I swiped up some bacon, "You'd think she was planning to kill you with that pan with how hard you landed on your ass."

"I had a splitting headache two days after." The Beast muttered, snatching the bacon bowl from me with a smirk, "who the hell throws a pan at someone? A pan of all things?"

Jessica had joined us for a New Year's Eve celebration this year, enthusiastically expressing her excitement to bond with me and Christian on her way here.

Christian, unfortunately, got smacked in the face with a pan the Hunter threw after he caught her by surprise, landing on his ass and almost knocked out hours before the next year started.

After profusely apologizing and reassurances that Christian wasn't going to maul her, we all settled for a movie with popcorn.

John chuckled as I snatched the bowl back. The Beast snickered and we ate in peace.

"It's surprisingly warm out here," John said as he left his jacket on the porch. We had headed outside for some much needed sun. It was a nice change to the bitter cold these past few months.

Christian and I stared into the woods. My skin itched for fur, for the raw beauty of freedom that only it was able to give me.

"It's alright, guys," We whirled around, meeting John's smile. "You can go, I'll be fine here. Just be sure to come back before dinner."

We grinned, nodding our thanks before running into the trees.

A flurry of cracking and snaps welcomed my Beast form. I howled my glee, yapping happily when Christian's brown form came into view. I stared into the treetops, watching as a few birds swooped in, chirping and flying away.

Our paws picked up soft dirt as we flung ourselves forward. Christian nudged me, lolling his tongue at my growl before picking up speed.

I rolled my eyes and chased after him.

We were finally going home.

~~~

A/N: That marks the end of Chapter 15. Let me know what you guys think!

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