Page 19 of It's Kind of a Bunny Story
I wanted to argue, but looking at Fletcher’s bloodshot eyes and remembering the way he’d winced when moving around the cave made me swallow any further protests. He’d never admitthat he wasn’t up for the journey, but he needed rest just as much as I did. Especially after his desperate run the day before.
Turning away from the guys, I ran my fingers through my hair and worked to steady my nerves. The plan made sense and would make things easier for all three of my mates, so I’d put on my metaphorical big girl panties and suck up any discomfort.
Linc appeared at my side, towering above me. “What do you need packed? You should rest while we take care of it. We’ll just take the things that are valuable to you. I’ll return later to do a full cleanup.”
A snort escaped before I could stop it. “I have nothing.”
Linc’s eyes scanned the tiny confines of the cave as though sure he’d misheard me. “Nothing?”
“Monroe sent everything that’s in here. Not even the shirt and pants are mine. Fletcher grabbed those from a metal giveaway drop-off bin in the last town before we got here.”
“I’m sorry, sugar.” Linc scooped me into his arms. “We’ll make sure you get everything you deserve once you’re settled in at home.”
His cheek rubbed mine, the touch calming some of the anxiety that was searching for a foothold inside me.
“It’s okay. I didn’t really want to bring anything from the burrow. We keep things to remind us of good memories, and I have none from that place.” Glancing at Fletcher over Linc’s shoulder, I added, “There was only one thing there that brought me happiness, and I brought him with me.”
“We won’t forget him here then.” Linc grinned at me. “Now, is there anything else you want to take with us?”
I took in the cave, pushing back the sadness at the thought of leaving it. It was pathetic, but this was my nest, and leaving it was no easy feat. “The top blanket, please.”
Copeland picked it up by the corner and wrinkled his nose. “It’s covered in muddy wolf prints, sweat, and… other things. We have much softer blankets at the house. I promise.”
Chewing my lip, I studied the blanket. Maybe they didn’t want it dirtying their house.
“That’s why she wants it.” Fletcher took the blanket and folded it neatly. “Charlee started her heat without a nest, which is traumatic for a doe. Now we are making things worse by moving her before the heat is over. Having something from the original nest in the new one will help to calm her inner rabbit. It’s a type of marking a space as yours, and she’ll rest better surrounded by the scents.”
“I didn’t realize.” Copeland bent and scooped all the bedding from the ground. “We’ll take everything. The last thing we want is to make things harder on you.”
Laughing, I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. “Put those down. One blanket is enough. Besides, I prefer being surrounded by the three of you.”
Copeland dropped the blankets and kissed the top of my head. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m positive.” Smiling up at him, I wondered not for the first time how I’d gotten so lucky.
“Good. Now let’s get this show on the road.” Linc scooped me up in his arms and headed out of the cave.
I blinked, my eyes struggling to adjust to the drastic change in lighting from the dark cave to the brilliant morning sun.
Not wasting time, Fletcher stretched, then turned to Copeland. “Try not to drool all over me. Okay?”
Copeland rolled his eyes. “Wolves rule, we definitely don’t drool.”
Fletcher closed his eyes and let the change ripple over his body. His human form seemed to shimmer and wavered as the magic shifted him to the smaller rabbit form.
I’d never get tired of seeing him in this form. His glossy fur was white, but he had the cutest black muzzle, tall black ears, and black spots sprinkled down his side like fairy dust. He was beautiful.
Copeland squatted beside Fletcher. “I didn’t get to tell you yesterday, but you are so adorable!” he cooed.
Fletcher gave a hard donkey kick to Copeland’s shins, eliciting a hissing curse from the wolf shifter.
“Looks like we’d better stop underestimating rabbits.” Linc threw back his head and laughed, while a gloating Fletcher sat back on his haunches.
“I see how it is,” Copeland grumbled.
“Haven’t you heard the old saying? If you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing at all?” I scolded Copeland, doing my best to look serious, but struggling to hide my smile.
“But I was being nice,” Copeland argued.
