We found a small cabin deep in the woods. It looked old, like no one had lived there for years, but the roof was intact, and it would keep us safe for now. The door creaked as Mal pushed it open, revealing a dusty interior with a wooden table, a fireplace, and a single bed against the wall.
“This will do,” Mal said, glancing around. “Liam, help me get Logan inside.”
Liam carried Logan over his shoulder, stepping carefully through the doorway. He placed him gently on the bed, and I rushed to his side. Logan’s breathing was shallow, and his face was still too pale for my liking.
“We need to clean his wounds,” Mal said, her tone all business. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small first-aid kit. “Audrey, grab some water from the stream outside. There should be a bucket near the door.”
I nodded, grabbing the bucket and running to the stream. My hands shook as I filled it, the cold water biting into my skin. By the time I returned, Mal had already cut away Logan’s blood-soaked shirt, exposing the deep gashes on his chest and side.
“This is bad,” she muttered, taking the bucket from me. “But not impossible. We just need to keep him stable.”
“I’ll help,” I said, kneeling beside her.
Mal handed me a cloth. “Start cleaning the smaller wounds. I’ll handle the big one.”
I nodded, biting my lip as I dabbed at the blood. Logan flinched under my touch, his eyes flickering open for a moment. “Audrey…” he mumbled.
“I’m here,” I said softly. “You’re going to be okay.”
He gave a faint smile before his eyes closed again.
Mal worked quickly, her hands steady as she cleaned and wrapped the worst of the wounds. Liam returned with more supplies-a few blankets and some dried meat he had found in a hidden stash under the cabin’s floorboards.
“Eat something,” he said, tossing a piece of jerky my way. “You need your strength too.”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
“Don’t be stubborn,” Mal said without looking up. “Logan will need you strong when he wakes up.”
Reluctantly, I took a bite, the salty taste barely registering. My hands were still shaking when we finished treating Logan’s wounds and covered him with a blanket.
Mal sat back with a sigh, wiping her hands on her jeans. “That’s the best we can do for now. He just needs rest.”
I stayed by Logan’s side, holding his hand and watching his chest rise and fall. Hours passed, the quiet of the cabin broken only by the crackling fire Liam had started.
“This isn’t how I expected his birthday to go,” I said.
“Yeah me too, Mal.”
Mal glanced at me, a somber look in her eyes. “I know. But Logan’s still here. That’s what matters.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle in my chest. It wasn’t how I’d imagined the day would go-Logan injured, us hiding out in some random cabin. But as I watched him lie there, his breathing steadying, I realized she was right. We were still here. And that was all that mattered right now.
Liam settled on the floor by the fire, his sharp eyes flicking between me and Logan. “We need to keep watch. Even if Warwick isn’t around now, we don’t know when he might show up again.”
“I’ll take first watch,” I said quietly. “You two should rest.”
Mal looked at me for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. “Alright. But wake us up if you need anything.”
I wasn’t sure how much rest I’d actually get, not with my mind racing, but I didn’t argue. The exhaustion from everything that had happened hit me like a wave, and I leaned against the cold stone wall, forcing my eyes to stay open as I kept watch over Logan.
The cabin was quiet, save for the crackling fire and the occasional rustle of the wind outside. My thoughts drifted, but every time they did, my gaze snapped back to Logan. His face was still pale, the blood loss evident, but there was a faint rise and fall of his chest that reminded me he was alive.
The night stretched on, the minutes feeling like hours. It wasn’t how I expected my birthday to be, and certainly not how I’d imagined spending it with Logan. But I wasn’t alone, and that was the one thing I could hold onto. In the midst of all this danger and fear, we had each other.
Eventually, Liam stirred, breaking the silence. “Your turn to sleep,” he said gruffly. “I’ll watch now.”
I didn’t argue. My body was exhausted, and my mind too. I settled down beside Logan, pulling the blanket higher around us. As I closed my eyes, I could still feel the warmth of his hand in mine, a reassurance that we weren’t out of this yet. The world outside might have been chaotic, but in this moment, with Logan by my side, it felt like we might just make it through.
The fire crackled softly as I finally allowed my eyes to close, exhaustion pulling me into a heavy sleep. But sleep didn’t come easily. My mind was racing-thoughts of Logan, Warwick, and the danger that was still lurking out there kept me restless. Every sound outside, every rustle of leaves, made me jump. I could feel the weight of the night pressing down on me, but I couldn’t allow myself to drift off completely. Not yet.
Logan’s steady breathing next to me was the only comfort. His hand was still loosely gripped in mine, and I found some peace in that simple connection. I’d never been more grateful for the small things-the warmth of his touch, the faint pulse in his fingers, the knowledge that he was still here.
Eventually, my eyelids grew heavy, and the fatigue won out. I dozed off in fits, only to wake again when the wind howled outside or the fire crackled too loudly. But each time, I’d glance at Logan, his chest rising and falling with each breath, and I’d feel a little calmer. He was still here. That was all that mattered.
Hours passed before Liam nudged me awake. “Your turn,” he said softly, his voice barely a whisper.
I sat up, blinking away the fog of sleep. The cabin was dark now, save for the soft glow of the dying fire. Logan was still out cold, his breathing steady but shallow. I didn’t want to leave his side, but I knew we had to stay vigilant.
I stood, stretching stiffly, and took a moment to look out the small window. The forest outside was cloaked in darkness, the moonlight barely filtering through the trees. The silence was almost suffocating, but there was no sign of movement. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was almost peaceful, if not for the constant fear that something was coming, something that could shatter this fragile calm.
Liam was curled up near the fire, eyes closed but his body tense, alert even in sleep. Mal had already settled against the wall, wrapped in a blanket, but her eyes were open, always watching.
I took my place by the door, keeping an eye on Logan and the entrance. The cabin felt too exposed, too vulnerable. I kept hearing distant sounds, twigs snapping, the rustle of leaves-but every time I turned to look, there was nothing.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched.
The night dragged on, the minutes crawling by as I kept my watch. I found myself glancing over at Logan constantly, just to make sure he was still breathing, still alive. My heart would calm a little each time I saw his chest rise and fall, but the unease never left. Warwick had retreated once, but there was no telling if he’d come back with a new plan, or worse, more wolves.
Finally, as the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, I let my guard down for just a moment. The stillness of the forest had lulled me into a trance, and my thoughts began to drift. How much longer would we have to hide out here? How much longer could I keep Logan safe?
I felt a sharp tug on my hand, pulling me back to the present. Logan’s fingers tightened around mine, and his eyes flickered open.
“Logan?” I whispered, leaning closer.
He groaned softly, blinking as if he were struggling to focus. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Audrey…”
“I’m here,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “You’re okay.”
He tried to smile, though it was weak, and it sent a wave of relief through me. “I thought I was dreaming.”
“You’re not,” I replied, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “You’re going to be okay. We’re safe here for now.”