Connell

Chapter Ten

~

"Rise n' shine," I faintly hear in the distance. A warm hand glides along my shoulder, gently feathering me into consciousness. "It's nearly morning now, we gotta get going."

My mind feels hazy and I slowly try to awaken from the darkness. My sleepy eyes adjust to the heavy dimness, blinking excessively, not quite used to waking up without the sunlight beaming against my eyelids. The forest has not yet woken up, and the early morning temperature is colder than I'm used to.

I feel Kota snuggle in closer to my warmth while letting out a whine in protest. The tree I lean on is uncomfortable and rough, leaving scratches along my backside, making me regret falling asleep against it.

I come to see Connell kneeling in front of me, looking awake as ever, and I wonder if he even slept.

"Isn't it a little early?" I softly whisper, eyebrows drawn, eyelids fighting to stay open.

Connell's hand lingers along my skin. "It is, but the earlier we leave, the better. I wanna get to my cabin before dark. I think it'd be best."

I let out a quiet sigh and let my head rest against the tree, taking slow, even breaths. My eyes close shut, and I don't force them to open again. I haven't been woken up this early in years.

"Althea," Connell softly chuckles, making my eyes jerk open at the sudden noise. "C'mon, it's already almost morning—heck, I even let you sleep in a little."

My eyes lazily trail along his crouched figure, barely recognizing him in the darkness. His words do nothing to motivate me, as I only hear glimpses from every sentence.

I quietly murmur a response and close my eyes, gently wrapping my arms tighter around Kota. I lean forward a little, relieving my aching back from the oak's rough wood.

Connell waits, patiently giving me a moment. I feel his eyes on my skin. "How are your ribs feelin' today? They any better?"

"Yeah," I gently exhale, opening my eyes. "Better today."

He scrutinizes me for a moment longer, seeming unbelieving. Eventually, he murmurs, "Alright, I'm glad."

He then stands up, extending a hand out for me to reach. I grab it while Kota whines again in protest, clutching me tighter, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I secure my hold on him while I am slowly pulled to my feet. Once standing, I let go of Connell's hand and immediately wrap it back around Kota, not wanting to drop him.

"Time to get up, my little wolf," I gently murmur into his hair, quickly adjusting my hold on him.

Kota grumpily mumbles in response and clutches onto me even tighter than before, not giving in. I don't have enough energy in me to protest any further.

Connell then walks over to the small fire we used the previous night, making sure it is completely burnt out, leaving no traces for future use. The fish and its remnants are nowhere to be seen, and I assume Connell has already dealt with it. We ate a majority of it last night. Well—everyone except for Kota, who refused to take any more than three bites.

I knew he would be upset by seeing the fish he caught roasting on top of a fire, and I knew he would barely eat it. He didn't cry, which I found was progress, yet he showed his dislike by barely murmuring four words to me the entire night. But I know my Kota, and know he will eventually forget about it.