Page 82 of Brody
“We need samples of this moss and the water,” she said, her voice husky in a way that sent shudders down my spine.Was she affected as powerfully as I was?The subtle spike in her scent suggested yes, though her expression remained professionally focused.“The combination is the key to stabilizing the neural pathways for all the unmated males in the Ridge.”
I forced my attention to the task at hand, though it took every ounce of self-control to look away from her face.My hands weren’t entirely steady as I reached for the specially designed flasks in my pack, my fingers clumsy with awareness of how close she was, how easily I could pull her against me, how perfectly our bodies would fit together.
Focus, Thornbern,I commanded myself.Unmated males were suffering throughout the Ridge.My personal desires could wait a few more hours.
“When I came here with Quinn and Mack,” I managed, my voice rougher than intended, “we couldn’t identify which growth was the critical one.There are dozens of moss varieties growing near the COL.”I gestured to the surrounding vegetation.“We collected samples of several, but without knowing which one was the key…”
“You couldn’t create a stable treatment,” she finished, her eyes alight with understanding.She leaned closer to examine the moss, her shoulder brushing against mine in a contact that sent heat racing through my system.The simple touch shouldn’t have affected me so strongly, but after nearly losing her to the Swarmer, after her near-claiming in the cabin, every point of contact between us felt magnified a hundredfold.
“But only this one grows exactly at the threshold,” Rozi said, carefully collecting samples with tools from her own pack.“The liminal space, where one state transforms into another.Just like the neural pathways between human and animal consciousness in shifters.”
The parallel was perfect, and something Una had theorized but never been able to prove.I watched as Rozi worked, her movements precise and reverent, collecting just what we needed without taking more than necessary.She understood, without being told, the important balance of this place.
Together, we filled the flasks with COL water, the liquid seeming to leap eagerly into the containers as if aware of its purpose.The moss samples went into special preservation chambers Rozi had designed, ensuring they would remain viable for her laboratory analysis.
When we’d collected everything we needed, we sat at the edge of the pool, side by side, shoulders touching.
“With these samples, I can replicate the stabilizing effect in my lab,” she said, excitement coloring her voice.“Isolate the active compounds in the moss, determine the optimal ratio to the water, create a treatment that will maintain the neural pathways without degradation.”
“You’ll save a lot of lives,” I said, watching her face in the blue glow.
Her eyes met mine, passion giving way to something softer, more vulnerable.“Your symptoms won’t need the treatment, though,” she said quietly.“The claim will fully heal you.”
I reached for her hand, our fingers intertwining naturally.“We did it.”
“We did,” she agreed, a smile breaking across her face like a sunrise.“Mission accomplished.”
“One mission,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.“We still have another to complete.”
Her breath caught, the scent of her arousal spiking in response to the gesture.“The claiming,” she said, her voice dropping to a husky whisper that sent heat surging through me.
“The claim,” I agreed.“But we should probably get back to civilization first.”
She laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber like music.“Probably.I’m not claiming you in a cave, no matter how magical it is.”She glanced at me, assessing my condition.“We’ll need to stop at the cabin on the way back.You’re still recovering from the venom, and we both need rest before attempting the final descent.”
I nodded, knowing she was right.My body was still healing, strength returning but not yet at full capacity.“The cabin it is.One more night in the forest before returning to the Ridge.”
With one last look at the COL, we gathered our precious samples and turned toward the vine curtain.As we passed through, I felt the subtle shift in the air, a blessing, an acknowledgment, a gift freely given.
The journey back would be challenging, but we’d found what we came for.More than that, we’d found each other again.The samples in our packs would heal unmated males throughout the Ridge, giving them time to find their fated mates.
And I’d found mine again.Against all odds, against time and distance and my own terrible mistake.The universe had given us a second chance, and this time, I wouldn’t waste it.
As we descended the path, Rozi walked beside me, her steps synchronized with mine, the mate bond humming between us like a living thing.The future stretched before us, no longer shadowed by pre-feral progression or years of regret but bright with possibility.
“What are you thinking about?”she asked, glancing at me with those perceptive eyes.
“About coming full circle,” I replied honestly.“About wounds that heal and bonds that refuse to break, no matter how hard we try to sever them.”
She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Some things are meant to be.Even when we fight them.”
“Even when we’re too stubborn to see what’s right in front of us,” I agreed, smiling at her mock glare.
“I prefer to think of it as being discerning,” she countered, but her hand found mine as we walked, fingers interlacing with a naturalness that belied our years apart.
I squeezed her hand gently, my wolf rumbling with contentment beneath my skin.“Whatever you say, Doctor.”
The sun was beginning its descent as we made our way down the mountain, casting long shadows through the ancient trees.My body was still weakened from the venom, but with each step toward the cabin, toward privacy, toward the completion of our bond, energy surged through my veins.
