Polaris Skies

Chapter 28

NSFW, Erotica; Trigger Warning - Managing flashbacks of SA

Yeller emerged from the bedroom and flopped down in the living room. He was tired in a content way. The sun slowly burned off the clouds. It cast harsh golden shadows through the slats of the blinds, illuminating the dingy interior in brilliant oranges and browns. Yeller glanced out to watch the rising fireball against the cold desert. The sharp tang of snow was dissipating.

Deck and Benj emerged from their respective rooms, closing their doors quietly. They were startled to see Yeller already comfy in the room. "Morning," Benj yawned as he rummaged through their sacks. He tossed a bottle of soda to Yeller, who caught it, flashing an easy, fanged smile.

"Maidin mhaith," he greeted, cracking the seal on the cap.

"You're in a good mood." Deck pulled out a box of stale toaster tarts. He peeled the packaging open and handed the three of them each a foil bag of the pastries. Yeller dug into his, shrugging at the comment. "Ready to make a run for it?" Deck sat down next to him.

"Think it'll be pretty empty. Haven't seen much in the way of humans since we left out of that town," Cashia muttered, brushing flaking crumbs from his t-shirt.

"Michael's been following us." Benj's gaze swept the trailer. A red feather wavered in the window screen. The others glanced at it in trepidation.

"He's not here right now. Priority is to get these pups to Hana's godfather," Cashia devoured his breakfast, ignoring the message. The bastard could wait one more day. Nat had slept comfortably for once since the cave. He shared Yeller's opinion that rest was the best plan for the porcelain man.

"He's messing with us," Dietrich stepped in.

Cashia glanced up at his commander. The golden wolf's eyes gleamed in the morning sunlight. His fangs practically dripped. "Host'll let me off the leash this time." Cashia's teeth clicked together sharply.

"You're not alone." Benj smiled slyly.

"Is Sylvi ready?" Dietrich asked the question they had been needing the answer to for weeks.

Yeller relaxed back against the wall and waved the question away. "I've left Sven and Sylvi to their morning. They should have been reincarnated as turtle doves," he sighed dismissively.

"Glad to hear that's finally fixed." Benj finished the last of his tart.

"You and Tereza?" Deck hedged.

Cashia pinned him with a glare, drinking his soda. "She'll come out one of these days."

"Is she ignoring you?" Benj popped open a can of mixed veggies and drained it down the sink. He pulled a spoon out of a draw and rubbed it against his jeans to clear it of dust. He ate the cold veg, ignoring the glare he knew Cashia was throwing at him.

"It's her way, and both my host and her new host have talked about pain they have in lettering her out. She always stepped to a different tune," Cashia muttered.

"Heinrich has explained to me in not exactly modest tones exactly what you and she are together." Benj leaned against the counter to look down on the man.

Cashia didn't drop his gaze, returning it inch for inch. "I'll not apologise for who I am."

"Didn't ask you to. Tereza can't take on the transformation in Nat's body. It's too much of a change on his organs," Heinrich mused around the spoon in his mouth. He pulled the spoon out of his mouth and jabbed it in Cashia's direction, "but you and your mate need to get this shit figured out before we get going again. The Heat is debilitating and distracting as hell, and with him still hosting your mate..." he shrugged and stared at the mixed carrots and peas unsatisfied. "Her smell is everywhere. How you're ignoring it is anyone's guess right now. We have to run, and the fact we only got ten miles yesterday 'cause of the women isn't something we can be repeating." He chomped down on another spoonful of the mix, a sour note crossing his face. "How can he eat this crap?"