Trigger

10

TRIGG

“Where to now, Snowflake?” Stormy asked, zipping up the backpack with their remaining rations.

Trigg felt a near overwhelming urge to growl in response. He was growing less fond of his new name the more he heard it.

Snowflake. How could a man be strong and powerful with a name like Snowflake?

He swallowed his pride and deeply inhaled the scent of the woods around them.

Stormy’s scent was still wreaking havoc with his senses. Every breath was tormenting, every glance excruciating. Now it was the man within him begging to be released, to rip every scrap of clothing from her body and claim her in no uncertain terms.

He let out a huff, trying to clear her intoxicating scent from his nose even as he tried to clear his mind.

Focus

His thoughts settled slightly, and he allowed himself another breath. Forcing his mind to look beyond Stormy’s scent, he finally found what he was looking for. The fresh scent of water washed over him, welcoming and cleansing. There it was ... a creek.

Trigg stood from his spot at Stormy’s side, nudging softly against her arm before looking pointedly in the direction of the creek. She followed his gaze, seeming to understand immediately.

“Time to go?” she asked

He let out another small huff of agreement, and Stormy smiled, damn near knocking the air from his lungs.

Fuck, she was beautiful.

“All right, Snowflake,” she said, “I’ll follow your lead.”

She reached over to him as she spoke, scratching idly at the sweet spot behind his ear. He found himself unconsciously leaning into her touch, the sensation so incredible, he barely even registered the use of his horrendous new name.

She pulled back to stand, and he resisted the urge to whine. Never in his life had he experienced anything quite as amazing as Stormy’s touch.

Focus, he thought again, actually shaking his head in an attempt to clear it.

He was sure if they made it to the creek, they could easily follow it to the next town. He gave Stormy a moment to slide the backpack onto her shoulders before he started in the direction they needed to go.

Trigg forced his mind to fixate on the sounds of the creek as they walked, the welcome smells of earth and water, of the countless creatures that made their home there. He would get Stormy to the creek, and from there to civilization, he wouldn’t let his thoughts travel beyond that. The thought of losing her was too distracting.

Stormy walked at his side, the two of them settling into a comfortable pace as they made their way deeper into the forest. Twigs and leaves crunched underfoot, and small animals skittered away as they moved. Trigg listened half-heartedly, waiting for the sounds of running water to become clearer.

It wasn’t long before he saw Stormy c**k her head slightly.

“Do you hear that, boy?” she asked, a focused expression on her face. “I hear water.”

He wagged his tail in response, and Stormy smiled down at him.

“Is that where you’re taking me, Snowflake? To water?”

This earned him another ear scratch.

“Good boy,” she said, picking up the pace slightly.

The foliage around them began to thin out in another moment, the large trees giving way to smaller brush and creeping vines. The scent of the creek was very strong now, and he saw Stormy sniff the air as well just before it came into view.

It wasn’t a large creek. Just an outcropping a few feet wide. The water flowed leisurely around sporadic rocks and small, stubborn plants. They walked to the edge, Stormy slipping her thumbs idly into the straps of the backpack as she looked around right and left, her nose scrunched slightly in thought.

“Which way?” she asked under her breath. “Hmm …”

Trigg again nudged at her leg before choosing the path to the left. His instincts told him north was that direction, and that was the way to the nearest town.

There was no hesitation from Stormy as she followed him. “What would I do without you?” she asked.

Somehow, Trigg suspected she would be all right. Given her grand escape earlier, he felt there was probably very little the woman couldn’t manage. However, he was glad that she didn’t have to find out.

Again, they settled into an even pace, Stormy at his side as they found their way over the uneven terrain. Occasionally they encountered a fallen tree or boulder large enough to make them veer around, back into the forest, but thankfully, the obstacles were manageable.

Despite the circumstances, the walk felt calm, pleasant even. Stormy hummed slightly, looking around at the landscape, watching intently each time a frog jumped near the creek or a bird passed overhead. She seemed content beside him, and the thought filled him with pride.

“I’ve raised birds,'' she said after they spotted a particularly colorful specimen. It swooped down low, clearly inspecting the creek before turning away from them. “Once when I was little, I raised a whole nest of pigeons.”

Her expression took on a sour note as she added, “Their mother was killed by a cat, poor thing.” She trailed off, watching another frog hop aimlessly near the creek.

“Oh, and once,” her tone picked up, more cheerful now, “I found a whole den of baby snakes. I thought they were just about the cutest things I’d ever seen. So naturally …” she chuckled, “Naturally, I took them home and put them in my wading pool, but I didn’t want them to be lonely or anything, so I joined them.”

Trigg couldn’t help but glance her way in amusement. He wanted to tell her how charming he thought she was, how beautiful. Stormy seemed to have so much trust for his wolf, though, and he hated the thought of ruining it.

He’d have to eventually, but not yet.