Page 76 of Gunnar

That’s as close as I get.

“Can you help me get back?”

“Of course.”

She has to hold on to me in the dark. There’s no other way.

Her fingers hook into mine as I guide her along the path, my pace slow over the uneven ground.

Every time she stumbles, I steady her—hand at her arm, her side—then let go the second she finds her footing.

Each time, she pulls away faster.

We keep walking like that.

Touch. Release.

Touch. Release.

The lodge lights finally come into view.

I open the door for her and follow her inside.

We stop in the hallway.

“I’m sorry about tonight,” I say. “Try to get some sleep.”

Her gaze drops to my side. The wound is open, dark against my skin. I feel it properly now.

“You need to clean that,” she says.

“It’ll heal,” I tell her. “Shifter wounds close fast.”

She doesn’t look convinced.

“Let me see it,” she says. “Please.”

I study her for a moment.

She needs this.

“Okay.”

She leads me to the bathroom and flicks on the light.

Under the bright light, she gasps. “Looks like it needs stitches.”

“No, it’s fine, seriously. I’ll show you tomorrow. You’ll see.” I force a smile, but she doesn’t return it.

“Sit down,” she tells me.

“Where?”

She points to the closed toilet lid. “There.”

I lower myself carefully, one hand on the sink. The movement pulls at my ribs again. I keep my face neutral.

She notices anyway.