The Runaway Maverick

Chapter 7 -Bonded

Jessie's prov:

Soft; pleasant tingles surged through my cheek as a heated touch caressed my skin. Subconsciously, I swayed into the comfort, a gentle sigh parting my dry lips.

I could remain blissfully like this forever, if I hadn't identified my urge for more. It just felt so... right?

As I snuggled deeper into the curve of the palm on my face, I found myself being lifted onto a firm lap. Still drowsy I simply took no notice of the peculiar behavior and continued to shuffle closer.

Pushing my body further down in the embrace I received a rough grunt that descended into a low growl of approval. Humming in response to the noise unaware as to why it occurred, I at last managed to thrust underneath a layer of it's clothing.

For some reason this invoked even more intense tingles to set my skin alight. I don't understand as to why I yearned for the warmth more than anything else but I did know I had to have it.

I needed it. Whoever or whatever was holding me was incredibly hot and I craved its body heat. Nuzzling it's chest I was consumed by the lulling musk of firewood, coco and fresh mint. Where had I smelt this before?

The rumble of the growl soon spiraled even lower in pitch as its grip tightened around my waist. Soon I felt something hard prodding me in the waist and its hands sliding slowly towards my ass clasping m-my...

Instantly I attempted to flee in shock from its grasp but was held even closer to its body. As I began to struggle to open my eyes and free myself I must have offended whoever touched me.

"MINE" its loud rumble vibrated through me due to our close proximity. Terrified of what I now presumed to be a male I sat very still as he lifted my chin up.

As if by magic my eyes flew open interlocking with the familiar vivid blue eyes of my dreams.

Pulling me closer he seemed agitated by my attempts so instead of physical force I began to scream and shout as loud as possible. In panicked response he refused to let go and tensed up but soon released me as my voice became raw.

With that I felt myself being pulled from my dreams to reality by a gush of cold wind. Opening my eyes I gazed around at my surroundings once again verifying were I was: the cave.

"Morning sleepy" Looking to the entrance of the rock cove I saw Cato packing our belongings. Just when had he woken up to have already gathered fresh water?

Sipping the flask he had placed beside me I was pleasantly met with the taste of honeysuckle.

"Tastes good" this earned a laugh from him as he continued his task.

"I give you a couple minutes to fully wake Jess before we begin to move on" Cato was now staring at me as he said this looking for approval: I simply nodded.

With that he yet again turned back to packing leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Why do I keep having similar dreams like that? They were getting more intense and I was beginning to lose my grip on reality. I mean at first I didn't question who was holding me, who was touching me and who it was that um.... grabbed my butt.

I had liked it- the warm tingles that is but just who or what was it. It had felt so real. To check I was awake again I quietly moved my hand from my fluffy fox blanket and bit into my finger drawing blood.

"Ow" Instantly Cato stopped what he was doing and turned to me.

"You okay?" he looked puzzled.

"Wait... why is your finger bleeding?"

"Oh um no reason" luckily he just brushed off what I said raising an eyebrow at me.

"sure."

I just laughed awkwardly as he turned his inquisitive gaze from me to his satchel. At least I knew I was awake now. Shaking my head I shimmied out of my blanket and headed over to Cato to help pack.

There was no point in thinking about anymore than I had to.

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After Cato and I had briefly chewed on some jerked deer meat, we started our endless trek deeper into the mountains.

We had been walking for more than five hours when Cato suddenly stopped.

"Jess?"

"Yes?" I continued to shuffle forward.

"Do your feet hurt?" Embarrassed I turned back to him.

"Maybe... its nothing I can't handle." Sighing he simply gestured for me to cover my eyes. "Um why?"

"Just trust me Mrs Stubborn" Well someone was getting sassy. Waiting I began to hum into my gloved palms covering my face. What on earth was he doing?

A gruff grumble emitted from in front of me as a wet nose nudged my leg. Moving my hands I jumped back startled.

"Holy f*****g s**t bags" A flood of profanities slipped passed my lips.

A giant wolf stood taller than me its fur a dark brown much like oak bark blowing in the harsh winds. Of course I just stood there my mouth agape.

Sure I had heard about werewolves and he had told me but still I had never actually seen one. Until now that is. Stiffly I lifted my hand to scratch behind his ear earning a soft hum of approval from him.

Okay this is bloody weird.

Cato soon motioned for me to grab his bag and get on his back... he's got to be fudging joking. In retaliation I glared into his still emerald eyes.

Huff.

A long out-breath of warm air steamed out his nose as he impatiently waited for me to climb onto his back: f**k no.

Before I could say a word I soon found myself being picked up by the ruff of my coat in his mouth like a goddamn pup.

Oi!

With one swift movement he flung me up onto his back. I almost fell off and let out a quick squeak. I swear wolves can't laugh yet I'm certain he was finding my fail amusing. Asshole.

Rolling my eyes I tightened my grip on his fur and we were soon moving at such a pace I couldn't see my surroundings and had to bury my face in the back of his fur. The blistering ice in the wind was blinding god knows how he was coping.

Oh right he's a bloody wolf. Damn why does that sound so cool even in my head.

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The further North we traveled the harsher the weather and holy hell was it cold. My fingers had long gone numb gripping his fur. I honestly couldn't feel them anymore and I couldn't help worrying.

"Cato?" I wailed. God I felt pathetic but this was beyond unbearable.

He whined in response.

"It's getting dark and I can't feel my hands" Instantly he changed his speed and path directly to nearby vegetation. Why was he going that way?

I soon found out, as he bound into the brush snapping up a fat fluffy bunny. Whoa, there goes any image of cute, adorable rabbits. I watched as he killed it pressuring his teeth into its neck. Deep red saturated its fur as he carried it in his mouth.

Slight drips bled onto the snow leaving a small trace but who was going to be this far North?

Cato slowly trudged towards the entrance of a convenient small cave sniffing its entrance to check for residents.

Nothing.

After the all clear I slid off his back falling onto my butt with a thud. Cato sniggere- wait wolves cant snigger right? Glaring at him I brushed the snow from my ass and quickly entered the cave pulling the previously packed firewood.

As I lit the fire Cato disappeared into the the sparse trees, his bag in his mouth, to shift I guess? However I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't just shift in the cave. I mean its warmer in here than out there.

Shaking away these thoughts I began to unpack essential items like food, water and covers but even after I had finished he still hadn't come back.

Something didn't feel right. I don't know how I knew but something felt seriously wrong. As time moved on to the twenty minute mark I decided to pack a small kit, wrapped up warmer than before ,as the sun had set, and followed his paw prints into the snow.

The further I got from the cave the more worried I became. Tracing his pawprints I noticed the depth of the markings and the sharpness of the trails shape lessened.

He was runningbut from who or rather what?

Stalking quietly for a few more minutes I heard quite whimpering and I knew he was hurt. I knew I should have come to find him sooner. I knew I had f****d up.

I rushed forward to a horrific scene of blood soaked snow, his bag and its contents strewn all over but worst of all Cato's wolf laid cut, bruied and unable to move on his side.

"Cato!" His eyes flipped open as he searched around him. "It's Jess. What happend?" In hushed whispers I consoled his weeping wolf as more blood oozed from his wounds.

A sickening realisation set in: I'm not strong enough to carry him back to the cave. No. Oh please no not again.

Unable to hold back my tears I sniffled away the cold as panic set in. He had to shift for me to even be possible to get him to the cave to treat his wounds.

"Cato" He whined in response. "Shift" I commanded hiding my fear to the best of my ability. He didn't react. "Now!" And with that his fur retracted into his skin undoing its growth, his canines shrunk and his bones popped back into that of a humans.

He was naked.

Adverting my gaze from... his um nudity I shuffled under his arm and lifted him. "Hold onto me. No arguments."

In coordination to my order he gripped me as tight as he could. A quick grimace plagued his face as it stretched a particularly large cut on his side but he soon hid his expression. Even now he was thinking of me.

"We're almost there so stay with me. Okay?" He nodded as I increased my pace. f**k he was heavy.

Please let him live, Fa if your watching please let him stay. I-I don't want him to die. I silently prayed to anyone who would listen.

Luck must have been on our side as I soon saw the illuminating blaze of the fire just ahead. How was it still lit? A strange feeling tingled in my chest the closer I got to the cave.

It felt as if someone was watching me.

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So this is the third chapter I've written and uploaded today. Hope you enjoyed! Also the pronunciation of Cato is: Cay-toe .

Hope that helps!

(The image shows the colour of the mysterious man from Jess's dreams)