Page 24 of Wolves & Watercolors
Still beaming, she returns to her painting. I watch, feeling unsettled. No one would get caught by us walking through the woods, but it had never occurred to me that she might spot someone if we were standing at an overlook. It was careless of me.
For over an hour, Aurora shapes the landscape on her canvas, and once she has the basics down, she washes her brushes and sets them down. “What do you think?”
“I’m not an art expert,” I say, “but it looks beautiful.”
“Thank you!” Aurora packs up her palette and wraps her brushes up. Her movements are slow and methodical. She’s gotten her energy and creativity down on paper, leaving her visibly drained but blissful.
Sighing, she lifts the strap of her back to sling it across her chest. I reach out and snag it from her. “My turn to carry it.”
“If you insist,” she says, watching me closely as I loop it over my shoulder and adjust the strap. Satisfied, she looks over the landscape one more time. “I wish we could stay until sunset.”
“I don’t think we want to navigate back in the dark. It would be really hard to do on foot.”
“On foot?” she asks, and I tense. “Do guys have ATVs or something?”
“Um, a couple, but we rarely use them.” I force my muscles to relax. No harm done, though I have to remember to be mindful with my words.
“Cool,” she says, breezing past me and down the trail.
I walk behind her until the trail fades and I have to take the lead. Hopefully she isn’t checking out the dirt print on my ass. In baggy sweatpants, it’s not my first choice of body parts for her to admire.
The ground levels, and I know we are nearing the compound. Aurora must sense it too. “Cedar, I really appreciate you taking me to paint.”
“Of course. Even if Hazel didn’t tell me to, I still would have. You’re nice to be around.”
Aurora stops. My words run back through my brain, and I realize how they must sound. The frown she gives me holds more hurt than anger.
“I didn’t mean it like that. She just suggested it.”
“My sister ordered you to hang out with me?” Her voice is way too calm.
“I was asking her what you might enjoy. You said you wanted to find pretty places to paint.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “Cedar, it feels like you’re lying to me.”
She can sense that? I’m screwed.
“Aurora, I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention.”
Her brown eyes have turned cold as she studies me. Creases form around her mouth as her frown deepens. “Why not be honest? Now I feel like you were just doing your job and I’m a burden.”
“No, I wanted to go with you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter to entertain me.” The way her brows furrows pierces me. I’ve ruined it. “Can we just go back?”
Hanging my head, I obey. As soon as the cabins are in view, she strides past me. Without looking back, she says, “Sorry to take up your whole day. I won’t do it again.”
I’m an idiot. At least it wasn’t pack information that slipped past me. I’d better stay away from her before I mess up even worse.
Feeling terrible, I shoot a text off to Slate and then let myself into my family’s cabin. My room feels empty without my brother, and both of my parents are at dinner already. Good, I’d like to wallow alone. It’s what I deserve after being so careless with my words to Aurora.
VI . Baby Shower
Shenanigans
Aurora
It’s baby shower day! During breakfast with Heath, I buzz with excitement. He smiles at me over his pastry and coffee.
