Chapter 18 - Callie
I wake up to the soft light filtering through the cabin window, casting a warm glow over the room. Stretching lazily, I glance at the clock on the bedside table and realize it's already mid-morning. Justin's still sleeping beside me, his steady breathing a comforting rhythm in the quiet cabin.
As I lie there, memories of last night flood back, filling me with a mixture of exhilaration and uncertainty. Our encounter in the woods was... intense, to say the least. But there's no denying the connection between us, the way our bodies fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Justin, and pad over to the window. Peering outside, I take in the serene beauty of the forest surrounding us. If circumstances were different, if we weren't on the run from a deranged pack of psychopaths, this could be a dream come true. A hidden hideaway tucked in the mountains, a cozy cabin with a wood-burning stove, and a view like this every day. It could be perfect.
Tearing myself away from the window, I head to the kitchen and set about making breakfast, humming softly to myself as I move around the kitchen. The scent of sizzling bacon fills the air, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It's a simple pleasure, but one I've come to cherish in this secluded hideaway.
Justin emerges from the bedroom, rubbing his eyes and yawning loudly. He gives me a sleepy smile, and my heart flutters in response. There's something about the way he looks at me, like I'm the only person in the world, that sets my pulse racing.
"Morning," he says, his voice husky with sleep.
"Morning," I reply, returning his smile. "Breakfast is ready."
We sit down at the small table by the window across from one another. As we eat, we talk about anything and everything. There's a new ease to our conversations, a sense of comfort that wasn't present before. We're opening up to each other, getting to know one another in a way that wasn't possible when I viewed him from the lens of a captive. The uncomfortable silence that used to linger between us is gone, replaced with easy laughter and lively banter.
After breakfast, we decide to spend the day relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We dig out an old board game from the closet and spend hours locked in friendly competition, laughing and joking as we play. Justin's competitive streak is endearing, and I find myself getting caught up in the excitement of the game.
Later, we head outside and take a walk through the forest, hand in hand. The air is crisp and cool, and the rustle of leaves beneath our feet is a soothing soundtrack to our conversation. We talk about our hopes and dreams, our fears and insecurities, laying bare our souls to each other. It's a level of intimacy I haven't experienced with anyone, and while it's going to take some getting used to, the vulnerability is intoxicating.
As the sun begins to set, we find ourselves back at the cabin, sitting on the porch swing and watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange. Justin pulls me close, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I lean into him, savoring the warmth of his embrace.
In that moment, with the fading light of the day enveloping us, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the dangers lurking just beyond the trees, despite the uncertainty of what the future holds, I feel safe. For the first time in a long time, I feel truly content.
As the days pass, Justin and I find ourselves drawn to each other like magnets, unable to resist the pull of our connection. Every moment spent apart feels like an eternity, and we gravitate toward one another with an irresistible force.
We spend our days exploring the woods surrounding the cabin, discovering hidden trails and secret clearings. Justin teaches me how to identify different types of plants and animals, and he helps me train Champ even more. I hang on his every word, captivated by his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Nights are filled with passionate encounters, each one more feverish than the last. Justin makes love to me, and each time, his touch is reverent and tender. He knows exactly how to drive me wild, how to ignite the passion and longing in me, and the intensity of our relationship continues to grow.
But it's not just the outdoor adventures or late-night sessions that draw us together. It's the little moments, too, like the way he greets me in the morning with a kiss or the way his eyes shine when he's talking about something he's passionate about. It's the way he can always make me laugh and the way he's willing to compromise. It's his protective nature and his willingness to put me before himself. It’s the way he cares for me.
It's the way Justin brushes a strand of hair from my face or the way his hand lingers on mine a second longer than necessary.
Over the next few days, we become inseparable. We spend every waking moment together, sharing meals, playing games, and simply enjoying each other's company. Justin's presence is like a balm to my soul, soothing the scars of my past and igniting a fire within me I thought had long been extinguished.
With each passing day, I find myself falling for him harder and faster than I ever thought possible. It scares the shit out of me, and yet I'm helpless to stop it.
This morning, Justin's hand finds mine naturally as we stroll towards the river. He links his fingers with mine, and a warm feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. The touch is so natural, and I find myself wanting more of him.
"Tell me something about you that I don't know," he prompts out of nowhere.
I shoot him a curious look. "Like what?"
He shrugs, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. "I don't know, anything. Something that I'm not already aware of. I want to know all about you."
I think for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip as I consider his request. There are a great many things I could tell him, but in the interest of preserving the light-hearted moment, I opt for something simple. Looking out at the water, I get the perfect idea. "I can't swim," I admit.
His eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Really?"
"Yep," I confirm.
"But you were sitting out there on a rock the other day. And you said when you were with your old pack that you always hid by the waterfall."
"I did," I agree, nodding. "But I just skipped across rocks to get there."
His eyes go wide. "Do you know how dangerous that was? What if you fell in? You could have drowned."
"Still a safer option than hanging out in town, waiting to get ambushed by Dante or his minions."
"How do you not know how to swim? I mean, how is that something you just never learned?"
I shrug and keep my eyes locked on the ground. "No one ever taught me, and I wasn't about to just toss myself in and see if I float. My mom wasn't exactly the outdoorsy type, and I was too young when my dad died."
"Wow," he responds, sounding stunned. "Well, today's your lucky day. I'm going to teach you. You never know when you're going to have to swim for it."
I laugh, shaking my head. "Thanks, Dad."
"Come on," he urges, tugging on my hand.
Since we've just come from a morning wolf run, we're both already naked, so I let him pull me down the bank. We head toward the center of the river. The water is cool against my skin as we wade in, the gentle current tugging at my legs. Justin's hand in mine is a reassuring anchor as we venture further into the river. I can feel the adrenaline coursing through me, and I don't know if I'm more excited or afraid.
"Okay, Callie," Justin begins. "First things first. Let's work on your float."
He demonstrates, lying back in the water and resting until his body is buoyant on the surface. I watch him intently, committing his movements to memory, determined to conquer this.
"Now it's your turn," he says, gesturing for me to give it a try.
With a deep breath, I attempt to mimic his actions, letting myself sink back into the water. But I just can't get myself to let go enough, and I panic as my body starts to sink.
"Relax, Callie," Justin soothes, his hands supporting me from beneath the surface. "You're doing great. Just trust the water."
I try to calm my racing heart, focusing on Justin's reassuring voice as he guides me through the motions. Slowly but surely, I feel myself rising to the surface, and I relax into the sensation of weightlessness.
"That's it," Justin encourages as his hands gently adjust my position. "You're floating."
A sense of accomplishment fills me as I bob on the surface of the water. I glance up at Justin, a grateful smile spreading across my face.
"I did it!"
He returns my smile, his eyes shining with pride. "You did great, Callie. Now, let's move on to the next step."
Over the next hour, Justin patiently guides me through the basics of swimming. He shows me how to kick my legs and move my arms, and his gentle encouragement spurs me on. With each stroke, I feel myself growing more confident until the water becomes less of an obstacle and more of a playground.
Before long, I'm gliding through the water like a pro, and I feel a sense of exhilaration and accomplishment.
"See?" Justin asks, his tone smug. "You're a natural."
"I don't know about that," I chuckle, shaking my head. "I think you're just a good teacher."
"Nah," he dismisses, nudging me with his shoulder. "It's all you, Callie. You're a fast learner."
I tread through the water to get to him, and when I reach him, I snake my hands around his torso and pull him close. "Thank you," I whisper against his chest. "For everything."
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Anytime, Callie."
As I hold him close, I can't help but marvel at how different he is from the men in my old pack. Where they were rough and aggressive, Justin is gentle and kind. Where they sought to control and dominate, Justin respects and supports me.
It's not just his looks that draw me to him, although there's no denying that he's easy on the eyes. It's his personality, his sense of humor. It's the way he makes me feel seen and heard. The way he treats me like an equal rather than a possession to be owned.
In that moment, as we stand there in the river, I realize just how much I've come to care for him. He's become more than just a friend or a companion; he's become someone I can't imagine my life without.