The painful churning of her stomach started up as soon as she heard Ril’o’s voice and she did not want to meet his eyes. Adelaida knew he was her, dirty and frail and laying pathetically on the ground, but she did not want to acknowledge that. Perhaps, if she did not acknowledge it, then it wouldn’t be true. Of all people, she didn’t want Ril’o to see her now, he was perhaps the last wolf in the world that held any sort of respect for her. And maybe he was about to loose it for her. For as long as she could, she stared dumbly ahead, but he approached, bending down and licking at her wound. Surprised at the tender touch she turned, her eyes meeting his and the churching in the stomach was accompanied by a strange warmth that spread from where he touched outward, it was like electric fire.
Her eyes, still bright and dazzling despite the rest of her appearance, looking up and she nodded, tucking her feet under her and slowing rising. Swallowing gently, she tried to think of something to say, but all the words that swam in her head sounded so stupid, so for a long while she just stood, letting Ril’o fuss over her just a bit. All the while she wondered why he bothered? Was he simply doing his pack duty? Would he do this for anyone else? And what did he think all the while? Adeladia could only imagine and she was not happy with the ideas she came up with.
“Ril’o…” Adelaida was completely unsure of what to say, she wanted to thank him, wanted to confide about her latest spat with Alexey, wanted to ask him to leave Dahlia with her and go someplace else… but none of that seemed appropriate, she doubted any of it would be received well. Instead she said the only other thing she could think of. “I’m sorry I ruined your hunt.”
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