Shadewood Dreams seem so real

After being separated and on her own again, anxiety plagued her sleep as well. She slept deeply for the first few hours but woke often after that. She could tell Rye was anxious too; he came and went from the den often, and she could hear his soft steps as he patrolled the area around them. She felt a little guilty about it, assuming it was partially her fault because they had been parted and now he was worried it would happen again. She knew it was also because they were in an unprotected area without the the support of a pack, but that didn't completely absolve her of her guilt; nothing would, not even his reassurance that he didn't blame her. 

Sometimes, he would return only briefly, and she assumed it was to check on her. If she was awake when that happened, she would offer him a small smile to assure him that she was okay. The times he did allow himself to sleep, she would curl up against him and fall back asleep. But those times never lasted long enough; soon he was leaving again and walking the invisible perimeter he had made. 

When light finally started to filter into the darkness of the den, she was already awake, wondering when Rye would return. Her stomach vehemently protested its emptiness, and she decided that she would offer to help him find food when he came back. She wanted to help make things easier for him so that maybe he wouldn't have to worry so much. 

It wasn't long before she heard his steps approaching, and she rose to a sitting position, her lips drawing into a shy smile as he entered the den. Hey, she greeted softly, rising to her feet to cross over to him and offer a gentle nuzzle under his chin. We should find something to eat, she told him next. I can help. She wanted to help. She needed to do something other than sit here and watch him worry. Hopefully he would let her.