Her Beast

Chapter 26: Snow

The snow crunched under Zoey's feet. It had snowed during the day, the first fall of snow for the season. She would've liked to be inside wrapped up in a blanket but instead, she was out in the blistering cold.

Jaxson gripped her hand as he led her through the woods. She didn't mind. It kept her hand warm. Zoey also couldn't see through the thick trees.

"Will we be found like we were last time?" She whispered, reliving the time they were caught.

"No, we won't go out of the village territory."

They went a little bit further and suddenly the moonlight erupted around them. The area was treeless and Zoey could see a cave not far from where they were. A light flickered within.

"Come on." He told her as he pulled her into it.

Inside a warm fire was built and a blanket and a basket were laid out by it.

"When did you do this?" Zoey was in awe of the kind thing he had done for her. No one had ever done something like this for her.

"I came out here just before you woke up. Miles built the fire just before we came."

Jaxson remembered how reluctant Miles was to come out here. Said he shouldn't be doing this for "some human."

"Well, I'll have to thank him when I see him."

Zoey sat on the blanket and lifted her hands towards the fire. The warmth defrosted her fingers bringing her skin to her normal color.

Jaxson sat next to her. He watched her as she smiled in thought. A smile graced his own as her happiness brought him happiness.

He opened up the basket handing her a sandwich. She gasped grabbing the sandwich from his hands.

"Where did you get this?!"

"I took a trip to Cupids Cafe. I felt like you needed a taste of home."

Zoey blinked back tears. She was so touched by his kind gesture.

"I also got you these."

Zoey practically screamed when he pulled them out.

"Blueberry muffins! I forgot how much I missed these."

She wrapped her arms around Jaxson, her excitement bringing her to do something she probably wouldn't.

"Thank you, Jaxson. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"You are welcome."

She let out a yelp of excitement as she peeled back the wrapper. He laughed as she ungracefully dug into the turkey sandwich.

"How did you get these though?"

"You remember how I had the shadows covering my eyes?"

How could she forget? That time was engraved into her mind.

"If I can find shadows that are dark enough I can hide within them. It's like wrapping a blanket around myself. Once I've done that, no one can see me. It's how I was able to be in the cafe or your house without you or others seeing me."

She nodded, thinking that it was a cool gift to have. To go anywhere without anyone seeing you.

"Why didn't you use it when we were taken?"

"It wouldn't have done any good. I can't hide people in the shadows with me."

Zoey finished her sandwich and wrapped the blueberry back up to save for later. She turned towards the fire as a cold chill was making its way on her skin.