The red head squeaked in surprise when Chase spoke. "You're a good cuddler."
His arm tightened as she blushed at having been caught. "Am I?"
"Yeah. My horse has turned up, so I guess we should get moving and see about finding the others."
"Yes, we should," she agreed. Neither moved immediately, but finally, reluctantly, Amethyst raised her head just a touch. Chase responded instantly, lifting his arm away. She rolled over and sat up, not daring to look over her shoulder at him while he did the same.
Chase stared at her back, torn between amusement at her embarrassment, and a certain smugness. She hadn't vacated the bedroll after realizing that he was in human shape.
He wasn't sure how humans went about courting each other. Werens tended to just ask out right and act upon it if the answer was yes. He'd never witnessed a human male doing that, except with saloon girls. The Weren decided he'd figure it out; he was a natural hunter, and Amethyst had already done quite a lot to show that she was interested.
They ate a quiet breakfast of dried fruit and jerky before Chase filled his canteen. Pulling his duster off his saddle, the Weren shrugged into it before digging out his old boots and pulling them on. He was glad he'd thought to keep them. He'd never been fond of mud squishing between his toes.
As he went out to saddle the horse, Amethyst grimaced at her bandaged hand, realizing the gauze was filthy. Unwinding it, she washed the wound as best as she was able before following Chase outside.
Crossbow in hand, she walked off to some bushes a short distance away to handle a call of nature. Once finished, she found it a struggle to refasten the buckskin pants with only one hand, but finally managed.
Upon her return, Chase offered a hand up once he'd mounted. Hanging her bow from the saddle horn, Amethyst accepted it, using the stirrup and his grip to swing onto the horse behind him.
The red head couldn’t see the huge smile that appeared on the shape shifter's face when she scooted close to slide her arms around his waist. But his voice was cheerful. "Let's ride."
Eight
They rode for a couple of hours, until Chase suggested they give his horse a breather. Both watched the terrain alertly while walking, hoping to find a sign of the others.
“It’s rather beautiful out here,” she remarked.
“Yeah, it is. But not as beautiful as you.”
Amethyst turned her head to smile at him, but the smile faded at the oddly serious look Chase wore. She'd never seen such a look directed her way before. It wasn't until the Weren began to lean that she realized what was about to occur.
She'd never been kissed. The idea she was about to be was strangely exciting. Chase paused just before completing his intention, studying her face to make certain she wasn't horrified by the idea.
Amethyst didn't seem to be, so he kissed her. She closed her eyes, leaning into the gentle pressure; they fluttered partly open when he touched her cheek.
The red head supposed, as first kisses went, that it was a thrilling one. Firm, yet soft, their lips and his fingers upon her cheek the only points of contact. It didn't feel either awkward or strange, but rather right, she decided as he pulled back.
Chase felt his lips curving into a smile to match the one appearing on her face. Her blue eyes seemed to twinkle at him. On a whim, he brushed another quick kiss across her soft lips. "We should get moving."
"Of course," Amethyst easily agreed, still smiling up at him. They began walking again, side by side. Sheepish grins appeared as they sneaked glances at each other and were caught. Traveling along, the horse trailing behind them, both felt content.
Chase decided it was much more fun walking with her in human shape than it had been in Weren shape. She'd petted his fur, true, and hadn't displayed even a second's worth of fear or doubt, but like this, he could...the Weren caught a hold of her slender hand.
Amethyst curled her fingers around his, feeling a thrill of happiness. He really is the most remarkable man, she thought. Fierce, yet kind; tall, strong and handsome. His being Weren doesn't matter at all anymore.
Not that it really has, she thought in surprise. Not since that first night, when she'd worked up the courage to speak with him. "Do you believe in destiny, Chase?"
"Right now, yeah, I do," he replied, a satisfied grin stretching across his face while he gently squeezed her hand. "Right this minute, I believe in a lot of things."
"Like what?" she asked curiously.
"You, for one." He glanced to see how she'd taken that answer. The smile on her face encouraged him to continue. "Love, for another."
"Didn't you believe in love before?" Amethyst felt breathless.
"I thought I did," he admitted. "But now I'm not so sure what I felt was love."
Did he mean that he loved her? The red head peeked up to find him scanning the terrain before them. What else could he mean? "I've never been in love to know how it should feel."
"Maybe it's different for everybody," Chase suggested, not worried by her admission. She was with him and willingly holding his hand. The Weren was certain everything would work out just fine. "Maybe for some it's a quiet kind of thing. Peaceful."
"Is that how you're feeling now?"
"Yeah. Peaceful, quiet inside and just," he shrugged slightly, a half smile on his face, "good."
A moment of silence passed then he asked, "How do you feel, Amethyst?"
"Contented, but a little fluttery," she put her injured hand to her chest. "Right here."
"Is that a good thing?” Chase wanted to know, and she smiled.
"I believe it is."
Yeah, the Weren thought, returning her smile, everything will work out just fine.
Nine
Near nightfall, they found a larger cave with an entrance big enough to lead the horse inside and decided to make camp for the night. Amethyst offered to tend to the animal, so Chase left her to it, setting out to collect wood for the fire.
"Halloo!" An excited voice broke the quiet dusk. Chase turned, torn between relief and disappointment that he'd no longer have Amethyst to himself. It looked like everyone was present and accounted for, as they rode up with worried smiles in place. Chase ended their worry by saying, "Amethyst's taking care of my horse."
"Oh, wonderful!" Sally sighed happily, eyes closing briefly. "We were so worried about the both of you. I'm so happy you're safe."
"Where is she?" Brian demanded. He'd been distraught since the group's inadvertent split during the orc attack. Now he was feeling relief and jealousy that the Weren had been alone with Amethyst for the past two days. He feared the worst.
"Let's gather some more wood," Chase ordered. "The cave's big enough for everyone, horses too, but we weren't expecting guests to drop in for dinner."
"Hot meal tonight," Kyle stated with enthusiasm, sliding down from his horse and clapping Chase on the shoulder. "Damn glad we found you two."
"Where is she?" Brian repeated, not dismounting. Realizing Amethyst might need a chance to speak with the human in private, Chase answered.
"Just over there, see the entrance behind that boulder?" He pointed, and Brian rode off without saying another word.
*
Amethyst had just finished placing their bedrolls side by side when Brian's voice echoed into the cave. "Amy! Where are you?"
Hurriedly rising, she moved towards the entrance, gripped by an odd combination of relief, fear, and irritation. "I'm here."
Brian dropped his horse's reins to rush to her, grabbing her into a crushing hug. "You're all right!"
"Of course I am," she replied, struggling to break free of his embrace. "Do let go, Brian. The others, are they..."
She was suddenly at arms' length and closely studied by grim blue eyes. "He hasn't harmed you, has he?"
"Don't be silly, Brian," Amethyst replied sharply. "Chase would never harm me. Do let go, and tell me, the others, are they all right as well?"
Brian ignored the question, having spotted the bedrolls and noting their c
lose placement to one another. "Why...you won't need to sleep so close to him now, Amy. Everyone's fine, we're all here."
Angry that he still hadn't released her, Amethyst snapped, "I shall sleep where I wish and close to whom I wish. Let go of me this instant."
"Did he..." Whatever Brian was about to ask was interrupted.
"Amy! Oh, how wonderful to see you again!" Sally rushed in and threw herself at the red head, forcing Brian to let go and step back. "We were so worried, but I suppose that was quite silly of us, since you were with Chase. Not that we knew you were, you know."
The two women hugged with enthusiasm, and that was the scene the rest of the group witnessed upon entering. Chase noted the bedrolls and felt warm satisfaction spread through him. She'd planned to sleep with him. Maybe those plans were now changed, but that was fine. She'd wanted to, and that was all that mattered to the Weren.
*
The other Weren had also noted the placement of the bedrolls. After trading a three-way glance of approval, Curtis took over the job of seeing to where everyone else would sleep. Bran volunteered to tend to the horses and Kyle cracked his knuckles and declared he'd start dinner.
"I do wish we could bathe," Sally remarked, fingering her soiled shirt with a moue of disgust. "I'm terribly afraid I don't smell very nice right now."
"We'll see about setting something up," Chase told her, having overheard. "Everyone could probably stand a good wash up and fresh clothes. Water will be cold, though."
"We don't mind," Amethyst assured him. Their eyes met, pale gold warming and blue shining in response. She decided she wasn't moving her bedroll regardless of the unexpected arrival of the others. Brian had other plans, but found himself blocked by Bran's insistence that he help with the horses. Peter nodded agreeably to Chase's request that he help fetch water and the two left the cave.
Sally whispered, "What's happened?"
"I think...I think I've fallen in love," Amethyst murmured in answer.
"How grand!" Sally beamed happily. "I quite like him, you know."
*
They traded stories over a thick soup and cornbread, enjoying the fact their group was whole once more. After dinner, Chase and Kyle contrived a curtained off area to provide privacy for washing up. The two ladies were invited to go first and disappeared behind it to rapidly strip. Squeals echoed as they splashed cold water on themselves before determinedly applying a bar of soap to grimy skin.
More squealing sounded when they rinsed off. Small squares of toweling ended with them mostly dry before pulling on the clean clothing they'd packed. Bran offered to stand guard and let them rinse out the worn items, so those three headed off while Peter and Brian took a turn.
Brian was brooding once more, trying to think of a way to insist Amethyst move her bedroll elsewhere. It now lay between Chase and Curtis', although the second Weren's was a goodly distance away.
The biggest blockade was Amethyst's failure to respond to any of his subtle hints that he wished to speak with her privately. She'd consistently refused to meet his eyes during the meal. Frustrated, Brian barely noticed the cold of the water as he washed.
By the time the last two Werens were taking a turn behind the makeshift curtain, the two ladies were drying their hair by brushing it out in front of the fire and talking contentedly. Brian had found no way to gain Amethyst's attention and pull her aside.
*
Chase took first watch. His mind was full of plans; none of which he'd be discussing with her tonight. No, his plan for the night was much simpler. The shape shifter just wanted to lie next to her and watch her sleep for a while.
There was time enough to talk about their future together, and Chase was confident everything would go fine when they did. They were already proving to work well as a team. The Weren was convinced they could continue doing so, and wasn't that what the whole point of sharing your life with someone? Being a team and working towards goals together, in addition to loving one another?
Everything will work out, he thought again. The words were rapidly becoming his mantra. They spoke of hope and an inevitable union he badly wanted.
It wasn't the thought of sex that attracted him most, though he hoped that area would work out well between them, but was content to wait. Amethyst wasn't Weren and so he'd follow the human conventions in that matter. It was the idea of constant companionship, her warm and snug against him from sunset to sunrise every night; days spent doing things together and learning all they could about each other.
Of eventually raising children. The idea of seeing her swell with his child made Chase feel a breathlessness he wasn't expecting. Blinking, he did another scan of the area outside the cave with a slow turn of his head, unaware of the smile curving his lips.
*
Amethyst sleepily gazed at Chase's silhouette, curled in her bedroll as she tried to stay awake until his watch was over. Perhaps he hadn't yet said 'I love you', not so simply, but that didn't matter.
She wondered if he'd kiss her again, when he lay down next to her. Amethyst hoped so, certain she'd grow to desire his kisses constantly. Just as she already desired his embrace and the warmth of his large hand around hers.
A tiny shiver crept through her as she wondered what it would be like to sleep with him as his wife. Sex was an unknown beyond the talk her mother had had with her upon the onset of her monthly courses. Exploring that unknown with Chase was a wonderfully exciting idea.
Sighing quietly, she wished he was done with his watch and crossing the cave to lie by her. A soft grunt from behind was followed by faint rustling noises. Curtis leaned over and whispered, "Think I'll relieve the boss a little early."
Rolling a bit, she smiled at him while he straightened. The burly shape shifter grinned back before silently walking away.
*
"It's not time yet," Chase muttered as Curtis joined him.
"Can't sleep," the other replied, keeping his voice low. "Besides, that little lady of yours is mighty restless. Think she might be missing you or something."
A bashful duck of Chase's head hid his face briefly. Chuffing softly, Curtis clapped him on the shoulder. "Go on, I've got the watch."
"You sure?" The Weren was glancing back into the cave as he asked the question, so missed the look of satisfaction that appeared on his pack mate's face.
"I'm sure."
"Thanks." Chase rose and headed unerringly for Amethyst. Grinning, Curtis tugged his duster tight and sat in the vacated seat, gold eyes alertly scanning the outside.
*
Laying his duster on the stone floor as he dropped to sit on his bedroll, Chase made short work of tugging his boots off, aware of the steady gaze on his back. Sliding under his blanket and turning, the Weren met her eyes. "You're still awake."
"Yes," she agreed then before she could lose her nerve, hurriedly added, "I was waiting for a good night kiss."
Smiling, Chase scooted a bit closer and propped himself up on a forearm. "From me, I hope."
"Of course," Amethyst smiled back, despite feeling a little shocked at her forward behavior. A finger under her chin guided her into turning her head a bit, and then his lips were against hers. Eyes closing, she found herself more shocked with her behavior as her lips parted.
A soft noise of query from Chase and a touch more pressure was the result of that. Uncertainly, Amethyst opened her mouth to his. The first gentle brush of his tongue felt strange; she hadn't been aware the inside of one's mouth was a place for caresses to be delivered. She learned the lesson well before Chase drew back enough to put an inch of space between their lips.
His golden eyes seemed darker and his lips were a tight line, nostrils flared slightly with quick breathing. Amethyst wondered if she'd done something wrong and started to ask, but Chase suddenly smiled.
In a low voice, he informed her, "You make me think of all kinds of wickedness, Amethyst."
"Do I?"
"Yeah, you do." Chase lowered himself and tucked his arm under his
head, his other hand moving so that he could stroke the pad of his thumb over her full lips. They curved under his touch. There was a quicksilver gleam of eyes flashing as she settled to face him, mirroring his position.
"What if I said I was cold?" Where are these questions coming from? Amethyst wondered. Her behavior was definitely in need of an overhaul.
"Then I'd say 'come here'," Chase replied, one corner of his mouth quirking.
"I suppose it would be warmer under two blankets, wouldn't it?" Their bedrolls were already touching; Chase lifted his blanket in invitation. Without pausing to think the matter over, Amethyst wiggled closer.
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