Blackfoot Forest Step by Step

He refused to let the matter die, and Andalusia clenched her jaw. There was nothing left to say, and if he knew what was best, he would listen and start walking. He would never need to kick her awake, because she would never let herself sleep so soundly beside him again. That had been her mistake. But Sebastian held her with his talking. And as his voice carried on, her adrenaline simmered until nothing was left but a dull throb in her head. A rush of reality replaced her rage, and her vision cleared, and her mind rang with Sebastian's final retort, words that made her feel furless and burnt beneath the blazing sun.

What is wrong with you?

Heat flashed through her chest, and an itch rose beneath her fur, begging her to flee. Everything was too real. She needed to get away. She needed to leave. Before she could think, the words bubbled from her mouth. "I made a mistake."

Her rage was gone. All that remained was an overwhelming sense of dread, and the need to run. Andalusia felt her voice catch. "I'm sorry." She inched her face from his sight, and knit her brows at the pain that stung her eyes. This wasn't his fault. This was never his fault. "I'll help you until we get back to your pack, but you'll be alone to wait for them." Andalusia didn't turn her eyes back to meet him again, even though she hardened her gaze. She knew the hurt still showed: the tightness in her voice was proof of that enough. "Now let's get moving, alright?" If he refused, she would leave him, because it took her everything not to run from this now.