Chapter 8 - The Safe House

As we drove deeper into night the forest reached endlessly all around us. The only thing between the road and the moon was a dense canopy of trees blending together into one shapeless mass, letting in only slivers of moonlight to shine silvery streaks. As we climbed each mile away from Raven's Peak, it was a weight lifted from my shoulders; a burden replaced it, which was only heavier.His jaw was tight and his hands clamped around the steering wheel as he sat silently behind the wheel. His golden eyes flicked toward me every so often, just enough to let me know that I wasn't alone in this.We finally reached the cabin-a small cabin hidden in a forest clearing of wood framed home, with its wood blending as it pleased with the rest of the surroundings. It was a story book, but Asher walked me inside with an urgency none could relieved.

It was a small cabin but inviting. The space was already filled with warmth and the faint aroma of burnt wood from the fire which was already crackling in the stone hearth. Rusty, the kind left untouched by time, the kind of furniture that only ever spoke of a place. Running my finger along the edge of an old wooden table, I wandered into the living room, and Asher bolted the door behind us.His voice broke through the quiet and he said, 'You'll be safe here.'I met his silhouette in the glow of the fire. The sharpness was gone from his usually sharp features, replaced with concern. "How can you be so sure?" Still below a whisper, I asked.In the small space, he stepped closer, overwhelming with his presence. He met my eyes with a fierce intensity, and said, 'because I will protect you.' "No matter what."His voice promised that shiver that ran down my spine. As he reached out, brushing a stray stray strand from my face, before I could respond... Another moment, the pads of his fingers licking the shape of my cheek, his breath hitching, left his fingers lingering.

His eyes reflected awe that, 'You've been so strong all throughout this time.' 'You don't have to be brave all the time, Emilia.'" Not with me."At his words my chest tightened. "I'm scared," I admitted, somehow my voice sounded vulnerable. "But I trust you, Asher."He lay his forehead against my own and we started to exchange warm breath. He whispered and I'll never give you a reason to regret that.

He disappeared to fetch some supplies from the car, leaving me alone in the cabin. Turning, I wandered into the small bedroom with another fire crackling in the stone fireplace. It was just a bed, simple but inviting, with thick quilts rematerializing hand stitched over it where Beth lay. The events of the last few days caught up with me and I sat on the edge.Asher had brought a bag of food and a load of firewood when he came back. He put the supplies on the table and said, "you should rest." "Everything else I'll take care of."I didn't quibble; exhaustion was starting to drag me down. I climbed under the covers to watch him moving about the ship, his every gesture precise and precise. His presence was earthy, a good thing to have around when I needed to breathe.His voice was as warm and breathy as a blanket would be in that moment, "Goodnight Emilia."My eyes grew heavy. 'Goodnight Asher', I replied.

The next few days passed in a haze of stolen moments and quiet tenderness. Asher and I settled into an unspoken rhythm, our days spent exploring the forest that surrounded the cabin. He showed me hidden streams and ancient trees, places he had discovered in his years of wandering.

"Over there," he said one afternoon, pointing to a cluster of rocks covered in moss. "I used to come here to think. To clear my head."

I looked at him, seeing the faint vulnerability that peeked through his otherwise strong exterior. "You never really had anyone to share this with, did you?"

He shook his head, his golden eyes glimmering with something unreadable. "Not until now."

Something inside me stirred at his words. I reached for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. "Thank you for sharing it with me."

He gave me a small smile, one that lit up his entire face. "You make it easy."

It was far quieter in the cabin and so somehow brought us closer. Somewhere that he sat by the fire, as we shared stories and laughter, and forgot about the weight of the outside world for a bit. It was in that flickering shadows cast by the flames on walls, Asher had pulled me onto the small couch next to him that one evening.His voice rang low and steady: 'I always thought I'd be angry but I never thought I'd feel this way.'"What way?" My heart beating fast, I leaned into him and asked him."I found something to fight for, like I ... your eyes locked up."His voice was raw with emotion. I put my hands on his face and cupped him. "You won't have to fight alone, "I whispered.I leant into his touch and closed my eyes. "I've no idea how much you mean to me, Emilia."As he kissed me; slow and deliberate as if seeking to say everything he couldn failed to say. I pulled him close, my hands slipped around his neck and for a moment the rest of the world vanished.

But the peace couldn't last.The third night, Rowan came to the cabin, crashed through that fragile bubble we had created together.She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, saying "Asher." Her eyes darted to me for just a second before looking at her brother. "They picked up your trail and followed it."Immediately his protective instincts kicked in and Asher tightened up. His voice was steel and he said, 'We'll move again'. "We'll leave tonight.""No, it's not just the Hunters," Rowan murmured as her voice fell to a near whisper. "There's something else. The Alpha is back."Her words made my stomach drop. "The Alpha?"Rowan grimaced as she nodded. "He's looking for you, Emilia, and he's a nice guy.""For me?" Confusion and fear blossomed in my head, and I had to stammer.His jaw tightened, his eyes golden, ugly with anger. "He has no claim on her," growled he.Looking between the two of us Rowan's gaze flicked. "You know how he is, Asher. 'He won't stop until he gets what he wants.'"Asher's hand slipped into mine, and felt firm and reassuring. "It's gonna be us and him," he said calmly.It filled me with exactly the same amount of courage and dread. Whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: I wasn't facing it alone.