That night we slept back-to-back for the first time. The distance between us was my own doing and the pain caused constricted my chest, my mind and above all else my heart.
When I woke, Lycaon was up and reaching for his pale blue shirt. I watched him pull it around his back and adjust its collar before he turned around. Faced with his bare chest beneath his open shirt the horizontal purple bruise reminded me of his struggle.
'Good morning' Smiling sheepishly, I was unsure of the response I would receive, if any at all. Last night's silence deafened me and a new fear unlocked. He leaned down to place a gentle peck upon my cheek and rested his forehead against mine.
'It's a new day Stella' His deep voice was calm and his smile reassuring. I raised my palm to his face and turned my lips t
