Page 332 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

"I don't suppose she gave it to you today?"

"No. We have to get it from a compounding pharmacy."

"Understood."

His response is so calm I want to grab his jacket and scream at him until he gives me some of that calm. Just shoves it directly into my veins.

Instead, I rub my wet palms against my jeans.

"I can't get him through the parking lot," I whisper. "He tried. Someone saw him and didn't react well, and he…" I'm sniffing now, fighting back tears. "I don't know what to do, Val."

Valek's gaze drops to mine.

"He can't just stay here like this. He needs to get somewhere safe, but Cedarbrook is already stressful for him, and the motel is public, and… he won't even get into the fucking SUV."

And then I'm crying, really fucking crying, and I can't stop it. My face crumples and I snort to try to keep the snot from running.

"He was trying," I choke out. "He walked through the parking lot and he was holding my hand and he was trying, and people were looking at him like… like…"

I can't finish.

I press both hands over my mouth to try to muffle the sob and I completely fail. I'm so fucking pissed at myself. I'm not the one who needs comforting right now.

Wraith is. He's right there, so devastated and terrified he's going feral again, and I'm supposed to be his anchor. His omega. And instead, I'm sobbing next to a fucking dumpster and⁠—

Valek crouches in front of me, taking my face in his palms and blocking my view of everything except him.

"Ivy."

I choke on the next sob.

"Breathe."

I suck in air and hold it. He waits until I let it out.

"I found one too many surprises in the motel while you were gone, anyway," he says, patting my head affectionately. "Let's go camping."

I stare at him, still sniffing and trying to wipe my nose without being too obvious about it. "Camping?"

"Yes." His silver eyes slide toward Wraith. "The forest is good for the soul. Good for ferality. Ask me how I know."

Behind Valek, Wraith's growl softens slightly. His hands are still over his face, but his fingers have loosened, blue eyes more visible between them now, beneath the choppy dark hair.

I nod. "Yeah." Another sniff. "Okay. Camping it is."

Valek stands and offers me his hand. I take it, letting him pull me to my feet.

My knees crack.

Valek raises an eyebrow.

"Shut up," I grumble half-heartedly. "I fell on my fucking ass when you snuck up behind me."

"I didn't sneak," he lies pleasantly, turning toward Wraith. "Let's go, then. We can even make some mores."

The way he says s'mores is strangely adorable and I laugh, finally, wiping my eyes.

"What's so funny about some mores?" Valek asks in an incredulous tone, shooting a judgmental look back at me.