Chapter 54 Chapter 54
Tiana
Then again, it was a faint scent. More pronounced was the smell of the herbal trees of our woods.
Which meant that he had intentionally masked it.
My wolf whined with distress, wanting to go to him. To check on him and make sure he was alright.
But I forced her down, kept my pace steady, and said nothing.
By the time we reached the border camp, the sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon. Golden light slanted through the trees, painting everything in warm amber.
The camp itself was more organized than I’d expected. Several tents already stood in a cleared area, with a fire pit in the center and supplies stacked neatly to one side.
Zane dismounted first, his movements still controlled but definitely stiff now. He gave orders in that calm, commanding voice that made wolves snap to attention.
Kaius appeared at my elbow as I finished adjusting my boots. “You did well on the run.”
“Thank you.”
“First time traveling like that?”
“As Luna, yes.”
He nodded, then glanced toward where Zane stood speaking with the other warriors. “He’s in a mood.”
That was putting it mildly.
“He’s always in a mood,” I said quietly.
Kaius smiled slightly. “Fair point.”
The conversations continued for a bit while settling, and soon it was time to eat.
We sat around a small fireplace, away from the main base of the camp when one of the warriors, a broad-shouldered wolf that had carried a pack approached Zane with an apologetic expression.
Inquisitively, I turned my attention to them.
“Alpha,” the wolf began. “While unpacking, I realized I forgot to carry one of the tents meant for you or the Luna.
It’s just one here and…”
“Is there anyone at least?”
“Yes, but. I’m sorry, I can run back…”
“Forget it.” Zane’s voice was clipped. “We’ll make do.”
“But that means you and the Luna will have to share—”
“I said forget it.” Zane’s eyes cut to him. “Mistakes happen. Don’t waste time trying to fix it now. Just be more careful next time.”
The broad-shouldered wolf bowed his head. “Yes, Alpha.”
I watched the exchange with an expression of surprise. Zane was… should I call it understanding? Patient, even. With his warrior.
Just not with me.
Involuntarily, I shrank into myself at the surprise.
The tent Zane and I would be sharing was set up near the edge of the camp. Not isolated, exactly. But with enough distance that we’d have some semblance of privacy.
Lucky us.
I ducked inside first, grateful to have a moment alone to collect myself.
The space was small. Barely enough room for the two bedrolls laid out side by side and a small trunk for supplies. Intimate in a way that made my pulse quicken.
‘This is fine,’ I told myself. ‘We’re adults. We can share a tent for one night without—‘
Zane entered behind me, and the space immediately felt half its size.
He stood stiffly just inside the entrance, his shoulders tense and his jaw tight. Like being in here with me physically pained him.
“I’ll take the left side,” he said.
“Okay.”
Silence fell between us.
I moved to organize my small pack of belongings, needing something to do with my hands. As I turned, the light from outside caught on Zane’s pants.
A dark patch of blood. On his inner thigh.
It was only then again that I remembered I had noticed his injury.
I forced a gasp into my voice. “Alpha… you’re bleeding.”
He didn’t answer. Just growled under his breath.
I stepped closer, concern overriding the awkwardness between us.
“You’re hurt. Let me see.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re clearly not fine—”
“Tiana.” He turned to face me fully, and the look in his eyes stopped me cold. “I said I am fine.”
We stared at each other for a long moment then he grabbed a small supply pack from the corner and pushed past me out of the tent.
I stood there, my hands shaking slightly, before following him outside.
The moon had shown its face now. The fire in the center of camp burned bright, casting dancing shadows across the clearing. Kaius and the other wolves had settled into their routines—some checking weapons, some already preparing to sleep in shifts.
Quickly, I looked around searching for Zane till I saw him.
He sat on a log near the edge of the firelight, as far from the others as he could get without leaving camp entirely.
He was no longer in long pants, but now in shorts. I assumed he had been wearing the shorts beneath, pulling out the pants to access the wound on his thigh.
A small healing supply pack sat open beside him, and he was attempting to clean the injury himself.
From this angle, I could see it clearly. A deep gash along his inner thigh, still bleeding sluggishly. Not life-threatening, but definitely not something that should be ignored.
I watched him struggle for a moment and every movement made him wince.
My feet moved before my brain caught up.
“Please.” I stopped a few feet away, keeping my voice soft. “Let me help.”
“No.” He didn’t look up.
“Alpha!”
“I just said I don’t need your care.”
I froze.
He finally looked at me then, and the expression on his face made my chest tighten. Pain, yes. But with it was some other emotion that seemed worse than anguish.
His jaw clenched, his shoulders drawing tight. And when he spoke again, his voice was so controlled.
“I’m sure your hands are better suited for tending other men anyway.”
The words hit me exactly at the right memory.
Kaius. He was talking about Kaius, again.
What was it with this man and being petty?
Before I could defend myself, he turned his attention back to the wound.
“I am not some child who needs taking care of. I can handle my own injuries.”