Page 65 of Campfires & Canines
The door squeaks as I step out. A familiar head of dirty blonde hair swings around to look at me.
"Hey, Hazel." Onyx's easy smile relaxes me.
"How long have you been out here?" I ask.
His smile morphs into a distinct smirk. "A while."
"Don't be weird. Please."
"Nah, Lazuli got the night shift." He shrugs, laughing at my pink cheeks. Noticing the glossy edge of the bandage visible under the neckline of my borrowed shirt, his expression sharpens. "Are you okay?"
The question yanks all of my anxious, swirling emotions to the forefront. I swallow and focus on staying calm.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'm a bit overwhelmed by everything. Could we head to my uncle’s cabin and get some of my stuff?"
"Of course." Onyx nods. He looks like he wants to hug me, but he keeps his arms at his sides. The times everyone joked about Slate getting upset with them play in my mind. Is he that possessive?
Scanning the trees, Onyx leads me south toward the little blue cabin that was my somewhat temporary home until yesterday. Heath is gone, so it’s empty.
I grab my backpack and stuff in a change of clothes, my phone, and my medication. Lastly, I head to the bathroom and grab a few toiletries.
“Ready to go?” Onyx asks.
“Yeah, but I’ve got a call scheduled with my therapist,” I say.
Onyx bobs his head. “Cool.”
"But I don't get enough service here," I say. “Usually, I’d go into town, but considering…”
Onyx nods. "Okay, let's get you some bars. There should be more service down by the parking lot."
He stays on my heels as I wander towards the road. The meadow is eerily quiet. Holding up my phone, I see one tiny bar of service. We pass Vale, who is standing in the parking lot.
A short distance down the road, Onyx halts. "We shouldn't go any further. How is it here?"
I hold up my phone, seeing another bar appear. "Not quite, but almost."
I take a few more steps down the road. Onyx follows, apprehension tightening his face. He scans the trees continuously.
"Can I get some privacy?" I ask, knowing it's probably in vain.
"No can do," he responds. "Sorry."
"Are we worried about something?” I ask, his serious expression scaring me.
"It's cool. Like half the pack is patrolling. No rogue wolves are getting through today. We're safe."
"Okay. This'll only take like ten minutes." I dial, and it rings once, twice.
I start as Onyx grabs my arm and yanks me into the trees. The crunch of gravel grabs my attention. A black car is swinging around the curve of the road.
I end the call before she can answer. I'll call back as soon as possible, but I don't want to be caught on the phone when the representative shows up to verify my mark.
"It's Ironcrest," Onyx says, frowning.
The car slows as it approaches. Onyx pushes me behind him and we move further into the safety of the forest.
The window rolls down, and a tall man I vaguely recognize from yesterday stares out at us. He’s got a wide jaw with a chin cleft like a butt.
