Page 7 of Bred By the Beast

The cave smelled damp and it was getting colder by the minute. She had to close her mouth so he wouldn’t hear her teeth audibly shattering. As much as he’d tried to reassure her, she was not convinced the cave was bug and rodent-free.

“You’re cold,” he said. His deep voice startled her in the silence. She’d been drifting half in, half out of consciousness for a while, but doubted she’d be able to fall asleep.

“I’m okay.”

He shifted and took off his jacket, putting it over her shoulders. She wouldn’t have protested but it felt like heaven. How could his body be so hot in these conditions?

“Thank you,” she said. “What about you, though?”

He was only in a t-shirt. She had to give the nice, warm coat back.

“No, I’m not cold like you. And I won’t take it back, so don’t even think about it.”

“Thanks again,” she said. “Did you always live out here?”

“Mostly.”

“Why?”

“People disappoint me,” he said.

She could relate. Life in the city left a lot to be desired. People barely held the door for the next person anymore. People were rude, arrogant, and selfish. She enjoyed her job because it was just her and her camera. She just wished the job paid the bills, but it rarely did.

“Did someone disappoint you?” She regretted saying it almost immediately. Poppy was pushing too hard, and his guy lived in the wilderness for a reason.

“Everyone.”

She wasn’t expecting that answer. Someone must have really disappointed or hurt him in the past. As curious as she was, she kept her mouth shut. Poppy shifted to get more comfortable, and he made a little growl.

“Sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?” She’d been sitting between his legs to keep warm for a while now. He probably wanted to stretch his legs.

“No.”

“Do you think they’re gone?”

“It’s late. I think we’re safe to stay here the night. I’ll start a fire.”

She didn’t know how he’d do it, but she liked the idea of light and heat right now. Poppy shuffled over to lean against the wall again, holding his big coat tightly around herself.

She listened at first, then watched after a spark came to life. Slowly, he built a small fire, the crackle and scent of burning wood a comfort.

“Listen, I need to leave the cave for a while. The poachers are far from here. Are you okay being alone while I’m gone?”

A jolt of adrenaline shot through her at the thought.

“Alone? Where are you going?” It was pitch-dark outside now. Was this a bathroom break or him trying to get out of babysitting her?

“I want to head over to the poacher’s camp across the ridge.”

“What? Why?”

“I told you the sow had cubs. I need to know if they’re alive or not. They won’t survive on their own.”

She exhaled. That was definitely honorable and something she could get behind.

“Okay. Be careful, though.”

He nodded, then ducked out of the cave still in just a t-shirt. He’d freeze to death. On top of that, bear cubs were deadly themselves. What was he going to do if they were alive? It wasn’t like finding some newborn kittens on your back porch.