Among The Wolves

Attack

Two days later we were back. There were no lingering pit stops, no pausing for sightseeing, and no lolly-dalling for conversion. It was all business and haste to make it back to the pack. The serious attitude made me pining for respite. It was past nightfall when we made it back to the packhouses. My legs were crimped and stiff, so much so I knew I could not go straight to bed. Ty'Bin went with me for a walk around the sandbase to loosen my muscles. We held hands and I leaned against his arm.

The night was quiet, there was little auditory evidence of night creatures. It seemed that the whole of BlackAxis shared in the fatigue that weighed on us.

“Can I ask a question?” I looked up even though the darkness hid my mate's features.

“Of course.” Ty'Bin's exhaustion was practically a neon sign in his voice.

“What's going to happen to the girls that are currently slaves should we defeat Joinervetti?”

There was only the rustling of our footfalls.

After a bit, Ty'Bin sighed, “There's probably nothing we can do… I don't know Vae'Lee,  I can't think well right now. Can you ask me that in the morning?”

“Yeah.” I closed my mouth. It was bad timing but I was still wrought about it.

The rest of our walk was in silence.

Thereafter, we went to his quarters and I found a package by the door. I picked it up in confusion.

“Ty'Mee mentioned giving you a bunch of clothes but she never gave you pajamas. I don't know what you are wearing now but I thought you could use another pair.”

I smiled broadly at Ty'Bin. “Thank you so much! I will wear these tonight.”

I gave him a hug and rushed to the restroom to try the new clothes.

The pajamas were all one color, tan. Fitted like a T-shirt and sweats. It felt so comfortable.

I went to his bed full of glee and sat up for a bit, not quite ready to call it a night. Looking at the empty space next to me I let my thoughts wonder. Ty'Bin had been beyond respectful. He did not push or probe for physical touch although I knew he probably more than enjoyed the few times we held hands or when he had the opportunity to put his arm around me. We were married and so he had every jurisdiction to just stake his claim on the bed. Yet, he did not. The self control made me admire him more and more. Still, did I love him? I had feelings for him, sure. But love wasn't necessarily a feeling as much as it was a choice, a sacrificial choice. The vow made it clear,

“Vae'Lee, will you now vow
to devote and venerate,
to keep and to tenure,
in infirmity and in salubrity,
in wealth and destitution,
until death shall the vow end?”

Every word in the vow was a promise to love… no matter the feelings until death should claim one of us. I had already made the vow to love. Yet, I did not think that I had been living that vow to the fullest extent. My mindset needed to change. Change in accordance with that promise that I made to Ty'Bin.

I slid out of the bed and tiptoed to the door. Opening it a crack I peeked out and could see his form on the couch. His legs dangled off the end of it. One arm hung off to the side while the other was propped on top of his face like it was during our pit stop in the mountains. My lips turned up in humor as I noted his position on the couch. He was much too tall for it.

Even still, the heavy breathing of a deep sleep emanated from his mouth. I nibbled my bottom lip. Perhaps tomorrow, I will talk to him. I closed the door back up and climbed back into bed. Laying on the pillow, I soon went to sleep.