REIKA

SEVENTEEN

Morning came, and I woke up next to him, in his embrace. Our bodies entangled, and his warmth felt heavenly. His chest was moving softly over ours, but we knew he was awake. Bianco was so content, his tail wouldn't stay still. It wagged softly. It seemed as if they hadn't felt this peaceful in years. We knew we hadn't either.

After all he disclosed yesterday, I tried to put myself in his shoes. What would I have done if someone killed my father the way my dad killed his, leaving me with nothing?

—You should rest more, mate.

His paw softly brushed my side.

—It's you who should rest, not me.

—I'm feeling better.

He mentioned, and we moved him over to study his wound. Jules rolled him over and tried to see where his skin was opened, but the blood had dried around it.

—We need to clean you.

—No! Just stay.

Bianco threw a paw over us and made us lie down. He snuggled closer and put his face where he had it the whole night. Our neck.

—Sleep more.

He suggested, and I knew what he was thinking. He was wishing we didn't have to leave this den and face reality. As soon as we leave, we'd have to.

—I need to check on my family. They might be worried about me. I need to go back to Arjun, too, and make sure he is all right.

I said, but didn't move. He just nodded. I hated to admit it, but I too would have liked staying with him just like this for a few more hours. I glanced outside, and the storm had stopped. The morning was calm.

Bianco moved and stood. I stood right after, immediately missing his warmth.

—Come, mate. At least get clean before you go.

Bianco gently brushed by my side, and I remember it. I was as coated with dried blood as he was.

—I know a place we can go to clean. It's not far, come.

He dug out some snow to exit the den, and we followed close behind. The bright morning light blinded us briefly, but once our eyes got used to it, all we could see around us was completely covered in white. Bianco led us in between the woods and we had to nearly hop all the way since the snow was deep and nearly reached our shoulders. It was hard to go through with that mess, but his steps were slower than they should have been, as if he wanted to make this moment last longer. After walking for about twenty minutes, we arrived at a small pond. The snow around it had melted, and the water looked like it had steam lifting from it, as if it had a cloud over.

—It's a hot spring. Come.

He said in a low tone and I got closer to him.

—How did you know this was here?

—We used to live here for a while, when we were a pup. Mom traveled with us to many places. Always alone, just the two of us. We moved often because we never knew if we were being followed and she feared for my life. We stayed in that very den so many times before. I guess we just ran back to our home. Come.

Bianco spoke with his eyes fixed on the distance and kept walking forward. My heart dropped. He spent his childhood on the run, going from den to den. Living like an animal. It saddened me to know my father had done that to him. I don't think Dad knew.

—Don't feel sad. I learned a lot from living in the wild. It was only until I turned nine and then we settled. Mom found a job, and we moved into a small cabin in the woods. She still lives there.