Her Freezing Heart novel Chapter 16

I opened my eyes to the warm glow of the light lamp of my cabin. How did I get here? The last thing I remember is coming to see papa and then he being mad about something. Something stirred beside me on the bed making me stiffen. I slowly turned my head in the direction and sighed in relief. It’s just Alec. Wait. How the hell did he get here? How did he even find this place?

I feel weird. What is this feeling? What’s that sound? Is there someone else outside? I can hear people talking outside the cabin. Three. No Four. I got up and stood up to check the voices, only to fall flat on my ass. Why are my legs shaking? I got up again with the help of the bed frame and started walking out of the cabin with the support of the wall. The main door was wide open to my dismay. Who the hell left the front door open? That should be the least of my concern at the moment. My home is being invaded. I need to find out who these people are.

I exited the cabin into the darkness of the woods. Is it night time? No. It’s the crack of the dawn. The voices got stronger but where are these people and how the hell can I hear them from so far?

“Amara.” Ryder’s voice came from right behind me, startling the hell out of me.

“Geez Ryder. Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I said collapsing on the floor from fright.

“I didn’t mean to princess.” He replied.

Why does he look so sad?

“Are you alright Ryder?” I asked looking up at him.

“I don’t know.” He said plopping in front of me.

I moved to rest my head on his back but he pulled me towards him with his paws, resulting in me burying my face in his neck area. He pulled me closer and enclosed my back with his head, hugging me close, engulfing me in his massive frame.

“What is it Ryder? Did something happen?” I asked worried.

He never does this. He looks so miserable.

“I don’t want to lose you too.” He mumbled.

“I am not going anywhere Ry and what do you mean by too?”

Am I missing something?

“What do you remember?” He asked.

“I came here. Papa was mad about something and then…” I tried to recall but couldn’t. What happened after that? “What happened after that Ryder?”

“Well…” he started. His warmth was seeping into me and I actually felt better. Even the forest floor didn’t bother me. “After we talked, papa was mad about…um… something that is hurting you then we were talking but you started feeling pain.” I stiffened. No. I didn’t want them to see me like that. “We didn’t knew what to do but Caleb, Carter, Alec and the witch and warlock showed up. The witch helped us save you.”

“How and where is papa?” I asked.

Something stirred inside me making me gasp. It felt like another presence in my body but a warm. The same warm feeling I get from Ryder and… and…papa?

“Ryder where is papa?” I asked, terrified for some reason.