Celeste's POV
Lycer let me sleep in.
I wanted to be mad at him but how could I be? For the first time in who knows how long, I felt actually rested. Well, as rested as I could be with my limbs protesting every move. My shoulder ached and the rest of my wounds burned. Even air brushing against the burns on my legs brought a hiss from my lips.
I waited until Lycer was actually asleep to allow my curiosity to get the best of me. Leroy seemed like a nice enough guy from the brief encounter we'd had with him. He let us stay here and for that I was incredibly grateful. My mind still felt a bit slow and I could feel a lingering sluggish lag in every step as I looked at the knickknacks on the shelves around the living room. A little rocking horse was the first thing to catch my eye. It was hand carved and I could see where the movements went smoothly versus where they were a sharper moment. It was given a small cloth saddle that had yellowed from time. Seashells lined several spots on the shelves along with paperweights seemingly from different places across the country, maybe even the world. Names like "Arizona" and "Nevada" were dotted on a few that I somewhat recognized from my studies. I traced my hand over another carved figure, this one a dancer. You could tell she was a dancer from her dress and raised hands, her chin also lifted in a move of elegance.
There was no TV in the living room. Only a small box with two wires and speakers. A radio, the word clicked in my head. I imagined reading on the comfy worn out chair, a blanket over my lap and the radio singing softly in the background. Xavier would wander in from the kitchen, something wafting a heavenly smell in his hands. He would kiss my temple as he took my book and replaced it with the food. I would roll my eyes. He would roll his. We'd both smile and share a brief kiss.
I wondered how long it would be before I could link him again.
My legs burned with every step but I kept going as I got to the hallway. It was bare, the walls, but there were several spots where you can see photos once hung, dust settling in uneven squares and rectangles. Made me wonder what past Leroy came from, what he was running away from. I wandered back down the hallway and into the kitchen. Knitted patterns decorated several towels and placemats on the table in the adjoining dining room. The curtains on a window above the sink were a similar shade of yellow with a brown lace lining. On the windowsill sat several stones. I picked one up with curiosity.
"Those were m' wife's." I jump, a hiss leaving my lip at the harsh movement of my shoulder as I spin to find Leroy leaning against the wall. "Moonstones," he explained. I turned back to the stones. I thought they looked familiar. A brief memory of similar stones sitting in my childhood home rang through. Dad had several small dishes of moonstone scattered throughout the house. . . "It's thought to connect the wolf people to their goddess." My shoulders stiffened, a sharp breath going through my nose. "Don't worry. I know." I took a cautious step back, eyes briefly flashing towards the living room where Lycer is sleeping. "Sorry, I don't mean t' frighten you." He steps forward, somewhat hobbling into the small space. My foot hits the cabinets, my better hand grabbing onto the counter. "My Sherry was one of ya." My eyes widen. And despite this revelation, I feel as though the room has gotten smaller. "Lost her to hunters about five years ago."
"I'm so sorry," I whisper.
He shrugs. "What's done is done." He leans over my shoulder and I shrink in response. "Sorry," he apologises, grabbing one of the moonstones. "Y'all lead a more dangerous life than ya might think. Cherish yer mate while you can." His hand finds my uninjured shoulder, laying gently there. "Have ya found them yet?"
I hesitantly nod. "Lycer and I-" I clear my throat. "We're um, on our way to my pack. To my mate. We got. . ." Images of the pain and confusion endured with Malum bring a shaky sensation to my hands. "Seperated." Leroy hums, rubbing his thumb over the stone in hand. I clear my throat again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to uh - be snooping."
Leroy turns to the fridge. He pulls a picture from under a magnet and hands it to me. A beautiful woman with dark skin smiles mid laugh, lines wrinkling around her eyes. He taps the picture. "Most beautiful wom'n to grace my life."
"She's pretty." He nods.
"What'r you doing up? Keepin' watch?" I go quiet, my eyes trailing down. "It's okay. I understand." I give an awkward smile. "I just came," he teeters back towards the fridge, putting the picture back in its place, "to git some wat'r." I nod.
"I um, think I'm gonna go sit down. My legs. . ." He nods.
"I might have some clothes that'll fit ya. Stay here." He leaves the kitchen, ambling back down the hallway. I walk over the fridge, admiring the beautiful woman. She has strong arms . Warm eyes and a large mass of hair. A kind smile.
I can't imagine losing Xavier. . .
Leroy comes back in with a bundle of fabrics, placing them gently in my hands. "'ere. Bathroom is first door on the right."
"Thank you." He smiles a half smile, pats my hand and goes back down the hall to retreat to his room.
The clothes he gives me are soft. A pair of sweatpants that are a tad too big and a sweater that's in similar sizing. I pull at the blue fabric of the sweater and pull it to my nose. I miss wearing Xavier's clothes. . .
The morning comes all too quickly. Leroy makes us a breakfast of eggs, toast, and bacon.
I poke at the food that smells delicious, my stomach turning. Lycer eats his portion slowly and cautiously. I'm sure he feels the same way as me. As much as I want to eat, I just can't. It's been too long already. For him, even longer. Leroy says nothing as he scrapes the uneaten food into the trash.
"Before you two go, I wanna to get you some coats." He scans us both up and down. "Maybe some shoes, if I have any that'll fit."
"I don't think shoes are necessary," I advise with a small smile. Lycer gives me an odd look and I give him a wink.
"He knows," I tell Lycer as Leroy goes down the hallway.
"He knows?"
I nod. "His wife was one of us." His eyes widen. "I think that's why he took us in."
"Oh." He glances around the small house. "I guess the house in the middle of nowhere makes more sense now." Leroy comes back with two large coats, giving them both a once over before handing them to us. The material is a soft fur that's heavy in my hand. I wince slightly as I try to put it on. Lycer steps behind me and helps lift it up onto my injured shoulder. I bite my lip as the fabric hits the wound. No choice but to power through. It's either this or freeze on our trip back.
"Thank you, Leroy." He stands at his front door as Lycer looks out into the forest.
"You two stay safe now, ya hear?" I give him a small smile, reaching for his hand and giving it a soft squeeze. "Don't be a stranger."