Oath of the Hunter

27 - Run, Rabbit, Run

Rowan

Eager to escape the cage of the Ferreus home, River, Lachlan and I decide to wait outside for the hunters to pack. The second the front door closes behind us, and a cool breeze tugs at our hair and clothes, relief shoves the burdens off our shoulders. I feel I can finally breathe again. In the back of my head, my wolf shakes and flicks his ears, glad we all made it out of that nightmare alive.

I can't help myself and slip my arms around River, holding him close. I'm desperate to feel him against me, alive and breathing, desperate to convince myself he's okay.

It seems, as his arms snake around me with fierce dedication, as his form shudders with a deep sigh of relief, he's just as eager for this shade of peace.

"It's alright," I murmur. "You've done the hardest part. I'm so proud of you."

He nods against me. "I hate it here," he manages, his voice holding the slightest tremor as he emerges from behind that mask of stoic indifference he shoved up to survive in there.

I hated seeing him like that. River is the strongest person I know. He rushed towards the fight with the lycanthropes without hesitation; he took out a group of hunters and braved two bullets like they were nothing but splinters; he is a storm at sea, a force to be reckoned with.

But the mere thought of coming back here, of facing the Ferreus hunters head-on instead of taking them out from the shadows... I know it hurt him. It terrified him. I could see it in his eyes, feel it in his tense form, smell it in the air around him. Fear. It only grew as we got closer and closer to this reunion. And in the house, he put on a brave front even as his terror lurked.

Now, with the threat at a distance instead of breathing down his neck, some of that fear melts away. Even in the heart of this terrible place, he lets me hold him close, smoothing out the jagged edges of his emotions. In that house, he was our strength as he pushed for a truce. Now, I will be his strength as he gathers himself.

Lachlan, who fetched Imogen's books from the lounge on our hasty way out, idly flicks through the top one as he wanders a few steps ahead. Eager to be close but give us a little space at the same time.

He glances up at me and I see my own horror reflected in his eyes as they spark golden. River lived here. This was his family, his home, his entire life. They have weapons and fallen wolves on display on their walls— not photographs. Not memories. Not a shred of comfort, only suspicion and wariness and prowling danger.

If I could, I would claw my way back through time and take him away from this horrible place. Instead, all I can do is hold my fated close and thank the Goddess that he managed to get out and find his way to me. They won't hurt him. Not anymore. I won't let them.

"Shall I get the car?" Lachlan asks softly as he scans the woodland and trails for any hint of movement.

River stiffens against me. "If they see the plates, they'll try and find out where we've come from. That... that's how Orion, Liliana and my mother found me before."

Lachlan curses beneath his breath. "Alright," he says, tugging his free hand through his hair. "New plan. I can call Matteo and see if he can help. He sorted it before, I'm sure he can do it again. Besides, they need to know we're okay, and at this point I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I'm not stuck in a car with any of them."

I soften my hold on River to a light embrace; here if he needs me, but easily broken if he wants to pull away. When he raises no issue with Lachlan's plan, I give my gamma a nod of assent and he wanders a few steps off the trail to make the call, shuffling the pile of books into the crook of one arm as he goes.