Page 104 of My Little Doe
“The next time we shift will be the night of the nineteenth. So, we’ll stay close to home and get a hotel for a couple of nights. The next night, Callie, Hyder, and I will do what we do, and then that morning we will take on Ravik,” he said.
“Why that day?”
“The thing is, you know, we have to shift twice during the moon cycle. During the full moon, we don’t use a lot of energy to shift. The moon is full and has a lot of energy; however, during the first sliver, we use more energy to shift. When you're older, such as Ravik, it tends to make them much weaker following that shift. We want to attack him when he’s at his weakest. Also, the pack has usually gone home to do their own resting,” he said.
“Oh, I see… sort of,” I said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe,” he said.
“How does he fit in?” I asked.
“He wants to help take Ravik down. He also has been keeping tabs on what he has been doing differently since we left,” he said.
“What is my part in this?” I asked.
“Hopefully, nothing. Once all threats have been eliminated, then you can do whatever you want,” he said.
I wasn’t sure what to think. I could be holding Aspen in my arms in two weeks. It felt like a dream until this moment. It hadn’t even fully settled in.
“I got us stuff for Blue Lagoons tonight, if you want?” he asked.
“Sure. I’m feeling a little better. I think that tea helped, I was thinking a hot shower would also do wonders,” I said.
“Then take a shower, silly girl,” he said.
I got up and took a shower. The hot water hitting my back, hitting my stomach, felt so amazing. Showers always felt amazing,but when I was on my period, it was that much better. He did most of the caring for Lucy. The way he cared for me made it harder to want to go back to my life. I felt selfish for that, followed by guilt. As the sun set, we headed outside to watch it go beyond the trees. He started the fire to keep me warm while he started steaks on the grill. He claimed that his Titi told him that steak was the best meal for a menstruating woman.
He also had a foil pack filled with potatoes and fresh green beans that were cooking on the grill. It didn't take long before he put it all on the tray and walked back inside. I was about to get up when he came back out with a plate and a drink in his hand.
“Sit, here’s your food,” he said.
I reached out, taking the plate and drink into my hands. It smelled absolutely mouth-watering. The steak looked perfect, with crisscross grill marks. The potatoes and green beans had brown cooking spots. There was also bacon in there that I didn’t know he included. My mouth watered.
“I appreciate you more than you know,” I told him.
I headed to my seat, and he walked back inside. Within minutes, he sat next to me with his own plate. I cut into the steak, and it was the perfect pink inside, not too raw, but not overcooked. I forked a piece in my mouth, slowly chewing it, savoring every flavor. Bits of Cajun seasoning, garlic, and onion hit my tongue.
We both finished our plates and were on our second drinks. The tipsy had settled in, and the period cramps had left. Everything felt warm within.
“I know some of your friends from back home, but who do you miss the most?” he asked.
“Josie has always been my rock. Maggie is my cousin, but we were like sisters growing up. Brenden is different. He has also been there for me.”
“I’ve met the first two, but I don’t think I’ve met him,” he said.
“You probably don’t remember him. He practically lived at our house. He was a couple inches shorter than you, white guy, dark brown hair, eyebrow ring, and ear piercings,” I said.
“Ahhh… yeah, I remember him vaguely… Emo guy,” he said.
I laughed out loud. “Yeah…”
“Any other friends?”
“Not really… more like acquaintances,” I said. “What about you?”
“Honestly, other than who I have here, it’s just within my pack,” he said.
“What’s the story with Julie?” I asked.
