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My stomach growls so loudly that it causes Alaska to pull away, grinning.

“I think my mate is hungry.”

“It feels like you’ve been cooking that steak forever,” I gripe.

“Just a few more minutes. Since we didn’t have dinner last night, we’re having steak for breakfast. There’s fresh coffee too.”

“Sounds good. Where can a guy go to the restroom around here?” I shiver as the brisk morning breeze sweeps over me, and I bury my chin in the blanket.

He points to the tree line in the thick of the creepy fog. Great. “Wherever you want.”

I stand from the makeshift bench made from a fallen tree. “I’ll be right back.”

He snags my wrist and tugs me until I fall in his lap, his palm lightly smacking my thigh. “Give me a kiss before you go.”

“I can’t say no to that.” I reach an arm up and around his neck, turning my head to the side to give him access.

He grunts, bringing the kiss to an end. “Go. Hurry and come back. I don’t like it when you’re away from me.”

“Needy.” I jump to my feet, and he smacks my ass, then gives it a good squeeze.

“Damn right I am. Have you seen you? I’d be an idiot if I weren’t.”

I slip on his boots that are way too big and stomp through the tall grass. The blades tickle the backs of my legs with every step. I proceed to tramp my way to the tree line, stretching my legs, taking in the fresh air. The fog swirls around me as I disrupt the cauldron.

The tops of the mountains hide in the clouds too; the landscape is still asleep, unlike Alaska.

When I finally reach the trees, I look behind me. If I squint my eyes, I can see the outline of Alaska’s body. Moving the blanket out of the way, I do my business, and while I wait, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

A twig snapping carries through the air. I try to peer through the shaded woods, unable to see past the shadows. I swear, I see something move.

“Helios!” Alaska shouts.

I’m done doing what I needed to do. I might put an extra pep in my step. The voice in the back of my head is telling me to run to Alaska. Someone is in those woods.

It could be the hunter.

“Hey.” Alaska greets me with his hands on his hips. “I felt a little fear in the bond. Are you okay?” He leans to the right to look around me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I thought I saw someone in the woods, but it had to be a deer or something, right? Maybe one of your animals? Maybe Soren or Glenn?”

Please say Soren or Glenn.

He’s standing in front of me before I string my next thought together, grabbing my arms; his vibrant gems glow.

“No. My animals tend to stay in the open. Glenn and Soren are in the house still.” He taps his ear. “I can hear them.”

“Then it was nothing. Probably my overactive imagination. I’m okay, Alaska. I’ll start to get hangry though if you don’t feed me.”

“Stay close to me.”

It’s a statement. Not a question.

“Of course.” I take a seat, and Alaska stares at the woods, analyzing it for any threats. There’s a bowl full of clean water and a plain bar of soap I use to wash my hands really quick, then dry them on the towel.

I wrap a hand around his wrist. “Hey, I’m okay. Come on. Let’s enjoy the morning. The sandwiches look delicious.”

Alaska sits next to me, his hand possessively resting on my thigh, never taking his attention away from the trees.