Page 114 of Born Savage

Rage lifted his gaze, but only briefly before brushing his icy lips across mine. “I love you too.”

“Fucking about time,” Wrath muttered.

“Alright, guys. Nothing fancy and you’ll have to deal with a few bones here and there, but it’s dry and surprisingly warm. Wrath, why don’t you get Wren and the pup?” Vicious’ voice was strong and clear, and I honestly didn’t care what he had to say.

Feeling the closeness with Rage, hearing how he felt about me was strengthening. But he pushed away, offering a slight smile.

“I’ll wait for Wren to ensure she’s okay. Go inside.”

Nodding, I took a couple of steps away from him, taking a glance at the sky. Maybe I could finally feel a little hope after all. The sky appeared to be clearing.

Supplies were brought, Wren placed in my arms only moments later. I could feel the same tension from Rage as he moved around the opening, checking for what I wasn’t certain. With the opening just inside prior to the tunnel, one of the Verndari would remain to ensure we weren’t attacked. Everything was in place, a safe space for a single night.

Tomorrow and the days afterward would need to take care of themselves.

“Go on, sweetie. I’ll be right there.” I rubbed her skin, eager to start a fire. That was if I could control my abilities and not engulf the entire cavern.

Wren and Jake made a game out of crawling through the tunnel, the snow and ice barely hindering either one. Blade, Wizard, and Ghost were already inside.

Wrath and Vicious waited, nodding for us to slide inside.

“Go on,” Rage told me. “I’ll be right there.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Fine. Just checking the perimeter.”

I pulled on his arm. “Which you’ve done several times.”

He wasn’t in the mood for any criticism, also nodding toward the cave. “Go.”

“Why, yes, sir.” I was uncertain why he was being so hardheaded, but I moved inside, dropping onto all fours.

The tunnel wasn’t long and certainly large enough for any sized man to crawl through, but I was glad when I’d reached the other side.

Lights were already creating a glow, and I noticed the bones Vicious had mentioned, momentarily wondering if the great beasts had suffered like everyone else.

“Do you think you can start a fire?” Blade asked. “I put some wood together. I figured we wouldn’t die of carbon monoxide poisoning. There’s air flow coming from somewhere inside the damn cave. I’ll be glad when we’re out of here.”

“I can try.” I removed my gloves, blowing on my hands as I tried to think about how I’d started the fire the night before. Honestly, I hadn’t needed to think about what I was doing. I’d been angry, but more than that, I’d been annoyed that our happy haven and limited time together had been interrupted.

Plus, I’d been enjoying my first amazing night’s sleep in as long as I could remember.

With a hot warrior by my side.

Maybe the key was harnessing that annoyance all over again.

“Well, shit,” Vicious said as soon as he crawled into the larger opening.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing he was rubbing his hand.

“I managed to cut myself. It’ll be alright.”

I’d learn to expect the unexpected with Wren and at this point, I wasn’t going to stop her from healing his injury. While some might suggest her full purpose had yet to be recognized, I knew why she’d been sent to me.

The true beginning of allowing me to remember. What I’d yet to share with Rage was that I’d had another dream, one in which my mother told me of a great warrior who would be my mate for life.

She’d even described him, although I had a feeling she was stating the words in the prophecy.