Lycus circled the mauled bear thoughtfully, his muzzle and paws were wet with blood and melted snow. 

The kill had been effortless and easy. Perhaps what had been the most difficult part was tracking the hibernating animal so far off into the forest and the further he walked, the more hesitant he grew over the human girl who currently was passed out on the cot. 

He did not know whether she would dare escape again, though it was obvious that was more hesitant knowing he could easily track her. The forest was large and she did not know where they currently stood. 

She was foolish enough to escape once. 

His brothers on the other hand… Lycus’ wolf growled lowly before his bones began to snap and realign themselves, fur sinking in on itself. He straightened with a sigh, rolling his stiff shoulders back and cracking his neck sideways. 

His body was sleek with blood, bits of flesh and fur stuck between his teeth from the meal. He licked his teeth then clicked his tongue, chewing on a remnant of flesh whilst making his way back to the cottage. 

The bear had been mauled to bits, it’s abdomen gaping open, ribcage completely shattered to shards and jagged edges. He would return for the fur later on as it was useful in making coats for the harsh winter nights.

That, and the human girl would need one as well seeing she wore only his clothes. 

Lycus crouched low and picked his bow and quiver, slinging it over his bare back before padding barefoot through the snow flanked forest. It was silent, but not eerily so, comfortable enough. 

A thin wisp of curling smoke surfaced in the near distance and moments later, the cottage began to take shape. Lycus tilted his head to the air, warm breath wicking into the cold around, and searched for her heartbeat. He found it, echoing steadily from within the cottage. 

The corner of his mouth quirked, she had not escaped. Perhaps she was wise afterall. 

Opening the door, Lycus strode inside with casual ease, conscious of the figure curled up on the bed simply watching him. He did not regard her as he hung up his bow and arrow, indifferent to the state of his nudity. 

Finally, once he turned, her eyes jerked up to his face instantly, then faltered as her face flushed from being caught. “How do you feel?” Lycus spoke approaching the bed and crouching low. Wordlessly, his blood stained palm reached for her face and pressed an open palm against her forehead. 

The fever had subsided. 

“Fine,” Inayah muttered, averting her gaze. 

Lycus slid a wistful finger along her temple, curiously leaving a trail of blood before withdrawing. “Can you walk?” 

Inayah blinked, then turned back to him. “Yes,” she began questioningly, “why?” 

He rose and gestured for her to follow suit, “I would like to take you somewhere.” 

“Is it far?” Her voice held cautious wariness. Lycus shook his head, “Five minutes from here,” he paused, “if you cannot walk I will carry you.” 

Her head shook adamantly, “No, I’m fine, I can walk.” 

“Alright,” Inayah watched as he made for the door, and then out, leaving it gaping open. 

She lingered on the bed, still reeling over his words. So far in the past three days, Lycus had made no move to harm her in any way. He changed her bandages, fed her and left her to sleep whilst he prowled night and day, returning sleek with blood and chewing on pieces of raw flesh. His silver hair, however, would always remain spotless without so much of a speck of blood. 

Inayah was wary, but curiosity claimed the better part of her actions. And so she rose from the bed, and silently walked with a slight struggle towards the door. It was cold outside, a path created by Lycus for her in the snow. White marked red with blood, guiding her behind the cottage and into the woods.

Honest to his words, she hardly walked for five minutes when the soft sound of trickling water echoed from somewhere before her. Inayah’s steps faltered as the trees parted to reveal a thick layer of fog that swelled and drifted at the height of her ankles.

She blinked, that was not not fog. But steam.

Inayah heard the soft splashing of water and watched incredulously as Lycus surfaced a short distance from her, his skin now clean of blood and debris. Silently, he moved back until his back touched a short wall that rose to his shoulders and stretched both arms out, resting.

Inayah had never seen a hot spring before. It was rather small, reminding her vaguely of a roman bath house. Yet this was completely natural. Despite the cold air, there was something contrasting in the warmth as she stepped closer. 

Lycus idly flicked his fingers in the water, the corner of his mouth curved invitingly. “Join me, Inayah.” 

It was tempting. To lounge in a bath of heated water while it snows all around them. Yet -- “My bandages-” She began and he made a noise of disapproval. 

“The water will help clean your wounds,” he stated with factual ease. 

Inayah gnawed on the flesh of her inner cheek whilst staring at the clear water that allowed her vision of the floor. It was not deep, or maybe that was a mere trick of the eye. 

“Okay,” she decided, and carefully began to work her pants open. Lycus dipped beneath the water’s surface, allowing her privacy to completely strip, which she did rather hurriedly while biting her tongue to prevent groaning from the ache of her side. 

She opted to leave the bandage on before waddling into the water. 

It was burning. The sensation heightened by the cold of her skin. 

Inayah stepped further inside, clenching her fists as the water rose higher and higher still, encompassing her torso then chest and finally neck. She stopped once it reached her chin then sunk lower.

It was silent beneath the water, heat encompassing her whole body. Inayah resurfaced and pushed her hair back, the pain in her side subsiding to a dull throb.

Lycus remained in the same position, watching her curiously. 

She averted her attention and, clearing her throat, moved towards the opposite wall where  a stone ledge had been placed, allowing her to sit. They remained in companionable silence, though her tongue burned with certain questions.

Eventually, when it grew far too tedious, Inayah peered at him from beneath wet lashes. “May I ask you something?” 

“You may.” 

“Was it you who watched me from the forest?” All those times she felt eyes on her whilst working in the mansion.

Lycus’ gaze remained focused on hers while he spoke, certain nonchalance in his voice; “It was.” 

Inayah nodded and casually swung her legs back and forth in the water, sinking until her chin touched the surface. Her flushed eyes met his; “Why did you save me?” 

“Would you prefer me to not have?” 

Her eye twitched at the outright deflection, and with a petulant pout of her lower lip her eyes narrowed. “I would like you to answer the question.” 

Something amused sparked in Lycus’ bright eyes as he regarded her childish mannerisms. “I was interested.” 

“In me?” 

“No, Mathilde,” he replied with vague sarcasm, chuckling lowly at her brewing stare. “Yes, you.” 

“Why?” 

“Why not?” He countered smoothly.

Inayah inhaled through her nose, studying his eased demeanor. He reminded her of Kade, less chatty but slightly animated. And Salem, cool exterior yet amiable. 

Lycus studied her distant expression, eyebrow screwed at the center in mild frustration. His mouth curled upwards in a devastating smile, “Would you like to know why?” 

Inayah met his gaze, “I would,” she replied watching as he began to move from the wall and towards her. Each step towards the center took him deeper and deeper still, water rising past his mouth and nose and before she knew it, he disappeared beneath the surface.

She stared at the spot where he once stood, now empty. Her eyes lowered to the water fogged over with steam, and her heart began to judder within the walls of her ribcage.

Where had he gone-- 

A sharp yelp of surprise caught in her throat as hands curled around her ankles and with a gentle but firm tug, dragged her away from the stone wall and towards the figure. 

She braced both hands on the stone seat’s edge as her lower half was forced to part in order to accomodate Lycus who now resurfaced inches from her face. Beads of crystallized water dripped into his eyes, rivulets trailing across the plains of his ragged face. 

“I took you,” he explained, a hair's breadth from her mouth, “because I belong to you.” 

Inayah’s heart stuttered, “What?” She whispered and he leaned forward with a pleasant hum, nosing her hairline as his palms indulgently skimmed across her bare legs. 

His lips brushed the shell of her ear; “You and I are mates, Inayah.”