Among The Wolves

Carried

The shivers stopped their invasion when I finally seemed to warm up. The heat from the judge's person bled through his clothes and mine, relaxing my tense muscles. Eventually, I sagged against the tall man's chest. The extended use of adrenaline from the past few hours caught up with me. I began to realize that I would fall asleep if we kept this up. "Can I be put down?"

"I'd rather not. We still have a long way yet." Ty'Bin's chest rumbled as he spoke.

The feeling nearly made my eyes droop to the point of no return. I knew he was right, I was not in a physical capacity to be doing an hour long hike through the woods. I let my eyes close and before I knew it, I was out.

An odd dream of Wey'Don torturing me with workout sessions came and went. It truly felt no time had passed when abruptly, awareness urged me to open my eyes. I was pulled out of the slumber when deep vibrations jostled me. A quick blinking of my eyelids revealed that Próta Epsilon Ty'Bin was walking alongside another Eta. I could see that he had Iota Soon'Ya slung over his shoulder. Just like I had been with Eta Jek'Tew.

I eyeballed her, feelings of animosity brewing like a thunderstorm. Her eyes were closed but I knew she was well aware of what was going on. Just as I had been. A temptation arose to say something aloud for her to hear, call her a tweeb or something.

Maybe I could bop her noggin like she did mine.

"To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also..." Hearing Gramp's voice in my head irked me. I certainly did not want to think about bestowing any kindness to her. Nonetheless, I heeded it and kept my mouth shut.

The judge began chuckling and that, I realized, now that I was a bit more awake, was what woke me. The deep rumble continued to bring me closer to awareness.

Wait a minute... what was going on?! What am I DOING?

I could not believe that I actually fell asleep on him like that. "Ekhem, excuse me?"

Both he-wolves looked at me, I turned a few shades redder. "You can put me down now."

"We are not there yet." The he- wolf responded casually.

Both men continued to talk about some sport I was unfamiliar with.

"I must insist that you put me down." My voice was firmer than before but still gentle.

The Eta scoffed, "There is at least fifteen minutes left of walking. Probably a half hour at your pace."

Ty'Bin stopped walking, tipping his head toward the Eta. "You go ahead."

The Eta was undaunted, he waved farewell and increased his speed to a jog. I watched his back until he was out of sight. Now that he was gone, I felt even more awkward than I did before.

I felt the judge's breath on the top of my head and froze. "How are you feeling?"

I diverted my gaze, "I'm fine. I can walk."

There was a moment of silence. "I get the inclination that you would rather have no dealings with me. But your health is in my consideration at this time You will have to allow me to carry out the duties of both my Beta and my conscience and let me see you safely to Theta Ty'Mee."

I scrunched my brow in confusion, "Why does your conscience have a say in my care?"

"How can it not?"

I looked up and saw the judge set his jaw. This bothered him... why? I turned my head a little more and winced when the side of my neck stung. My fingers reached to feel what was wrong and I felt blood where my skin was pierced by Kun'Zim's canines.