Chapter 6: Closing Distance

*Bryson*

I laid on my back, staring up at the greenhouse roof that was changing colors with the rising sun.

It had been days since Ada and I had come up with our plan to go to the Grandmoon gardens, and yet here I was, hiding in a shed. Ada insisted that I still wasn't strong enough to travel and wanted to give me a couple more days of healing before we took the long journey.

And as much as I didn't want to seem weak in front of her, I had to admit that she might be right. When Ada wasn't keeping me company, I tried to do a few workouts (small ones that I was able to accomplish in the small space of the shed) and even those I had been unable to finish after getting winded and lightheaded.

Ada insisted I needed to stay in the shed though, and away from the sight of anyone in her pack, especially her parents. There would be too many questions that neither of us really wanted to answer.

There was a small noise behind me, and I couldn't help the small feeling of excitement that fluttered in my stomach as I looked behind me to the door. Sure enough, there was Ada walking into the small shed with her normal stash of herbs tucked in a small bag slung over her shoulder.

"Good morning," Ada said with a small smile as she shut the door behind her.

"Good morning," I said, dropping my head back to stare back up at the ceiling that was getting lighter and lighter.

Despite my feigned ignorance, I was completely aware of every move she made in the small building and could feel where she was in relation to me. She knelt down beside me as normal, and I was unable to stop myself from turning my gaze to watch her in her element.

Over the years from being a sick kid, or I guess a poisoned kid, I had become very accustomed to healers and their traits and actions. Even with all the experience though, none of the previous healers I had even held a candle to Ada.

The woman was amazing.

I couldn't help but observe her movements and expressions as she dispensed the medicine for me. Her manner while healing was always serious, but there was almost something…charming about it.

It blew my mind that a person with such talents and gifts like Ada would belong or take home in such a minor pack as the Western Pack. By being in such a small pack it limited her exposure to the whole world. If she could get out there and get even more training, I could only imagine what she could become.

I had been so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't even notice that Ada had moved closer to me. Her fingers found the buttons of my shirt and began to make quick work of them without pause. Out of instinct, I reached up and grabbed her hands to stop them.

I wasn't used to this close proximity of a woman.

Ada laughed at my reaction, and I stared at her face, processing the laugh and the musical tone it held.

"It's just time to change your bandages," Ada said, moving my hands off her own and starting to unbutton my shirt again. "What were you thinking?"

I worked quickly to shake off the nervous energy that her nearness created and cleared my throat. I didn’t understand why she had such an effect on me.

I lowered my hand to allow her to continue.

Once my shirt was clear, Ada leaned even closer to me. She scooted closer beside me and I could feel the heat emanating off of her body and to mine. Acting without thinking again, I lifted the one hand that was in her way and placed it on the small of her back where the skin was poking out from her bending over me.

Ada's back muscles tensed beneath my hand, and looking at her face I could see a light flush across her cheeks. Her eyes moved from the wound up my body slowly until they locked with my own.

The air in the shed seemed to get thicker as we continued to stare at each other. I couldn't bring myself to look away from the gorgeous, sharp eyes and Ada seemed to feel the same way as she continued to stare back.

It felt as if I was doing one of my mini-workouts; my breath was suddenly coming in short bursts and I felt like there was a weight on my body.

"So, um, how's the wound look?" I finally asked, trying to break the tense silence.

Ada moved away for a second, reaching into the bag she had dropped beside her. I was sad when my hand left the contact with her skin, but I pulled it away, not wanting to push my luck.

"It looks good," she said in her same serious voice, then handed me some pills she had grabbed out of the bag. "Take these."

I did as she asked, grabbing the handful of pills and throwing them in my mouth. She handed me a small glass and I propped myself up on my elbows so that way I could chase the pills down with the water, making sure they didn't get lodged in my throat.

Ada continued to just watch as I followed her instructions.

"Do you have a mate already?"

I looked up in surprise at Ada's question. My mouth opened, but I stumbled over my words, completely caught off guard. I choked, one of the pills getting lodged as she had interrupted my water. I grabbed the glass again and began to chug as the coughing spasms increased.

"That seems like a no," Ada said, and I noticed that her tone had a teasing quality to it. "Anyone in mind? A…favorite candidate for the role maybe?"

I shook my head, getting myself fully under control before opening my mouth again.

"I can't have one yet," I told her.

"Can't?" she asked with a frown, tipping her head to the side in a cute way. "Why?"

Shit. I hadn't meant to let that out. This girl didn't need to know all my secrets…yet.

"Do you have a mate?" I asked, completely blowing off her questions and hoping that my own question would distract her enough to move on.

"I don't have my wolf yet," she answered in a nonchalant tone.

I stared at her in surprise once more, a frown crossing my features. No wolf and no mate? She clearly looked old enough to have both of those things.

"How old are you?" I asked, clarifying.

"I am almost twenty," she told me, and I noticed her shift a little next to me.

She was obviously uncomfortable with discussing this issue, and for good reason I was sure. It couldn't be easy growing up in a wolf pack when you don't even have a wolf yourself. Or at least not yet. It was rare for someone of werewolf lineage to be born without a wolf.

I opened my mouth to ask some more questions, but Ada looked increasingly uncomfortable in front of me so I changed my mind and shut my mouth again. This wasn't a necessary topic for the day. I could always put it off for another time. I harbored secrets I wasn't willing to divulge yet either.

At least that gave me a conversation to look forward to.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Ada asked suddenly. "The weather is gorgeous today."

"What if people see me?" I asked. "Aren't you hiding me here?"

Ada shrugged and said, "I know a shortcut to the woods. No one will see you."

I looked back up at the greenhouse ceiling and the sun that was trying to penetrate it. Going outside would be nice after days of being cooped up in the small building…

"Okay," I finally agreed.

Ada's face and body relaxed and her charming smile spread back over her face. She stood up and then bent down to grab my elbow and help me up. I wanted to protest that I didn't need her help, but I had to admit that her touch felt nice on my skin.

I followed Ada out of the shed and through the smoldering mess of what had obviously once been the garden. Even when we got to the woods I noticed a few of the trees that had been burnt down and left with only stumps in their stead.

Ada's grip tightened and I looked down at her to see her jaw clenched tightly as she looked at the wreckage herself.

"Look what those damn rogues did to the place," she said in irritation, and a faint hint of sorrow. "It took me forever to grow some of these plants, and now they are gone."

I felt anger at the rogues in question. It was nothing unusual for me to dislike rogues, however it was unusual for me to have such a strong reaction from one instance. Yet thinking of how their actions had affected Ada left me seeing red.

"I'll make them pay," I growled out, my vehemence surprising even me.

Ada looked up at me in question, but after a moment she smiled, as if in appreciation, and then turned to lead me back through the woods.

She had been right. It was a gorgeous day, and the walk through the woods was more needed than I even realized. I did have to pretend that I wasn't wanting to breathe like a winded hyena, but she didn't seem to notice, for which I was grateful.

It was bad enough she was already having to heal me, I didn't need her to baby me.

Ada kept walking, but I didn't ask any questions. I didn't care where we were going. However, Ada did seem to notice that I was getting tired, because when the trees started to thin and then opened up to reveal a large lake, Ada suggested we take a couple seats on some large rocks by the shore.

Again, I didn't argue with her. We climbed up on the warm, sun-bathed rocks and spent a few minutes catching our breath and staring out over the calm surface of the water.

"Why does the Western Pack choose to be in such a remote place? Surrounded by nothing but woods and desolation?" I asked, trying to pick a topic that would be safe for both of us to talk about.

"You don't think it's pretty?" Ada asked, turning to look at me.

I looked back into her eyes.

"It has its moments," I said, watching as her cheeks flushed and she looked away from me.

It was silent before Ada continued in her level voice.

"The Western Pack settled here as long ago as anyone can remember," she began, looking out over the lake. "Our people had gotten used to being far away from strife. Perhaps it was because so many of my family members had died in the war, but my parents decided to stay here. It is a simple life, more free from mindless violence. With less reminders of what was lost."

Her tone had such a sorrowful note to it that I regretted what I had considered a safe topic.

"I am sorry for reminding you of bad things," I said in a light voice, reaching out to place my hand supportively on her hand.

"It's okay," she replied, offering me a warm smile in return.

I paused, debating my response, but then gave in.

"My mother also died shortly after the war," I told her and felt her squeeze my hand in return.

"I'm sorry, that must have been hard," she said.

"It was."

Silence again, but this time it wasn't nearly so uncomfortable. We both turned and looked back to the water, allowing the serenity of the environment to calm us both.

"Ooh, look at that strange flower," Ada said, her voice full of awe as she pointed a finger.

There was a bright orange flower that sat on the edge of the rock we were sitting on, tied into a large string of what looked like vines and other plant life.

"I wonder how it's able to grow there," I wondered aloud, slightly impressed. What was the saying? Life always finds a way?

Ada reached forward, trying to pluck the flower from its spot on the edge, but then I noticed her sliding. I called out her name and reached out to grab her, but it was too late. When I reached forward and pulled her into my arms, I lost my balance as well and the two of us tumbled off the round boulder and splashed into the water below us.

The water was shallow, so we sat there, chest deep, Ada on my lap, staring at each other as we processed what had happened. Then we both burst into laughter. The sound of her laughter had the same effect on me as before and I stopped laughing myself just so that I could listen to hers.

When she stopped laughing, we continued to look into each other's eyes.

I was suddenly aware of how close we were. Ada was still sitting on my lap with my arms protectively around her. Her face was closer to mine than it had been in days, and I couldn't help but lick my lips as she glanced at them.

The tension continued to build, but neither of us could look away. I began to close the distance between us instinctively, wanting her as close as possible. I brought one of my hands up and cupped her cheek, water dripping.

She leaned ever so slightly into my hand, and that was all the confirmation I needed. I closed the distance between our lips.

However, just before they had a chance to touch a distant roar echoed around us.

"ADA!!!"