Chapter 91 - Growing trust

Maddie faded in and out of awareness as they travelled. Michael coaxed her along, caring for her as they made their way back to Silver Moon. They stopped more often than they needed to, giving them both a chance to recover. He had stashed a bag of supplies a short way from the Wild Shore territory and set up a small camp for them when they were far enough away that the chances of the enemy finding them were slim. They got some clothes, ate some ration bars, drank water and Michael cleaned up his wound.

Maddie sat close to the fire and watched him stitch the gash in his shoulder, her own hands still trembling too much to help. Instead, she turned her eyes to the flame, loosing herself to their dance. At some point, her mate had wrapped an arm around her and cuddled close but, by then, the sun was starting to rise. Neither of them had got a wink of sleep, and exhaustion weighed her down as they continued on their journey home.

Michael stayed close, holding her hand when he could and br