Silvershore

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"W-Wood..." At around midnight, a faint, soft voice was heard from outside Wood's den.

"Oh...come in, Fawn." An exhausted Wood offered. The grief of his sister's death had made his stress a million times worse, which affected his insomnia issues as well.

"I-Is it okay...if, I, um...spend the night with you...?" She asked, with a shaky voice.

Wood bashfully flattened his ears. "Spend the night...?"

"I-It's not like that..." Fawn blushed. "I-I'm just...s-so scared...a-and you're o-one of the only ones I trust..."

"Of course you can," Wood nodded. "I promise, there's nothing to be afraid of when you're with me. Alright?"

"O-Okay...I-I'm sorry for burdening you like this...are you sure y-you don't want to be alone...?"

"...I'd rather not be alone right now. I'm relieved you're here with me..." Wood sighed. "Come here..."

Fawn lied down next to Wood. He wanted to cuddle up closer to her to ensure she felt safer, but knew that she was uncomfortable with touch after all that had happened to her in the past.

"Did something specific scare you?" Wood asked. "After what happened today, it's normal to be scared. I'm terrified. But...did something else happen?"

"I-I'm just...I have a really bad feeling about what's coming up next..."

"What do you mean?"

"I-I mean...didn't you say we were probably gonna attack The Pack of the Fire...?"

"Yes...we most likely will."

"I...I have a bad f-feeling about the attack..."

"I would never force anyone to be a part of it, especially not you. I-I mean, after what you've been through..."

"I'm not necessarily scared for my life...but for everyone else's."

"...You know...all I can say is...anyone who chooses to join the attack is ready to risk their lives for their pack, and for the sake of avenging Kiara and Callan."

"W-Wood...i-if anything ever happened to you...I-I'd feel so alone...I-I...I feel so safe with you..."

"I'm so happy you feel that way." Wood told her. "To tell you the truth...I feel safe with you, as well."

"M-Me...? But...I can't even p-protect myself..."

"It's not about that...it's just that you make me very comfortable and secure. I can be myself around you..."

"Th-thank you...f-for saying that..."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Y-Yeah...I guess so..."

"Well, good...just try to go to sleep. Let me know if you need anything." Wood smiled at her.

"Th-thank you...g-goodnight."

"Goodnight." Wood whispered.

Fawn suddenly snuggled up against Wood, her head resting on his chest. It caught him off guard, knowing how she didn't like getting to physically close to anyone. This must have meant that Fawn truly trusted him - and this is exactly what Wood wanted. She finally understood that she would always be safe with him.

Wood made a silent vow that he would protect Fawn, no matter what, unconditionally. The Pack of the Fire - or anyone in general, would never be able to hurt her again. He wouldn't let her down, no matter the cost. If she had really chosen Wood as the one she trusted the most, he had to make sure she'd never regret her decision.