*** Maria's POV ***

  The first thing that I noticed was the splitting headache.

  What the h3ll?

  I went to move my hand to rub away the pain but my arms felt so heavy. I groaned. What the freak is going on?

  "Maria?" I heard a fuzzy voice call. But even through the fog, I knew it was him.

  I went to respond to him, because opening my eyes feels like far too much work, but he hushed me when he felt me stir. "You're alright," his foggy voice soothed.

  As my senses started slowly coming back, I noticed I was moving, and by the smell of it, I'm wrapped up tight to Wolfie's chest. I powered through my headache and thought about where we're going or where we're coming from.

  Or why I've got this heavenly and slightly metallic taste in my mouth.

  I'm definitely tasting Wolfie right now.

  But why? Why am I drinking his blood?

  . . . Blood.

  I suddenly remember that very thing steadily flowing out of me.

  Oh. . . Now I remember where we're coming from.

  And I've got to get back.

  I forced my eyes open and ignored how my headache flared painfully.

  I was met with Wolfie's beautiful face and gray eyes looking back at me. They flashed gold for a second and I realized it was his wolf coming to the surface to say hi.

  I couldn't help the smile that came to my face at the sight of him.

  My eyes widened a bit when I noticed his wrist attached to my mouth. That's where the truly heavenly taste is coming from.

  I really don't want to. I really really don't want to, but I reach up and push his hand away while shaking my head. "I'm okay now," I smiled. "Thanks though," I said, ignoring again how talking makes my headache grow.

  He shook his head and tried to make me drink more. "No, you need blood," he protested.

  I snorted, "So do you." I guided his wrist farther away.

  He shook his head once again, "I'm fine Maria, you've only been out around half an hour and I feel great." He didn't even let me get a word in before he shoved his addicting blood back into my mouth. I intended to protest further, but the taste and feeling of it flowing down my throat put me on a high I can't bring myself to give up.

  I settled for analyzing his handsome face and making sure his olive skin wasn't paler than usual or that he wasn't sweating profusely or anything. When everything checked out, I closed my eyes and got to thinking.

  No matter how blissful it is in his arms, or how much thinking makes my head hurt, I have to go back for them.

  They're my family, just as much as Wolfie is.

  The others aren't coming with me. They've made it clear they don't want to and I'm not going to force them into a dangerous situation. The only problem is keeping them from stopping me.

  The sudden chill in the air momentarily distracted me as I slightly shivered.

  Wolfie's arms tightened around me and drew me closer to his chest. My cheek grazed against flesh and it barely clicked in my mind he must me shirtless.

  How did I not notice when I opened my eyes?

  I swallowed his blood thickly and kept my eyes clamped shut. I can't have that kind of distraction.

  His delicious blood in my mouth, while in his arms, with his soft skin on my cheek, and looking at him shirtless. That's a scene I know I could never get myself to leave.

  . . . I did let myself indulge a little and gently rubbed my cheek against his hard chest. His arms clamped around me tighter and I had to hold in a content sigh.

  But, sadly, there are important things at stake here.

  So how will I escape from this heaven and avoid getting stopped by the group?

  "Alright, this looks like a good place to set up camp and rest for the night," Wolfie suddenly spoke.

  Oh, well that works.

~*~*~*~

  After everything was set up, I bided my time and waited for everyone to fall asleep.

  It took less time than I was expecting, since we slept last night too, and we can usually go a couple days without sleep, but I guess it makes sense. Everyone sustained some injuries. Sleep should help them heal faster.

  Wolfie had volunteered to keep watch and was stroking my hair calmingly.

  If he keeps at this, I won't be able to fight sleep for long.

  I cleared my throat and tried to push down the guilt.

  He'll be fine, I tried to convince myself. I need to help Brandon and Rose.

  "Um. . ." I started softly, careful not to wake anyone, "Wolfie."

  "Yes, Love?"

  My breath caught in my throat.

  Oh goddess, give me the strength to do this.

  "I um," I went to sit up, but his light hand on my shoulder stopped me.

  "No, don't try to get up," he said gently, "what is it?"

  Oh, you're making me hate myself so much right now.

  Why have you chosen now to act like you love me?

  I put my hand on his and used my other to push me into a sitting position. My stomach clenching and my teeth gritted at the terrible pain in my abdomen.

  D@mn hybrids.

  Wolfie must have seen my discomfort. "See, you should be laying down," he said as he was about to push me back down.

  "Wolfie," I blurted as I grabbed his face in my hands. My thumb grazed against the light stubble there as a result of living in the forest for days. "Jason. . ." I mumbled and trailed off.

  I don't know what I planned to say but I know what I wanna do, with our faces so close and his breath on my nose.

  There seems to be only one logical thing to do.

  I leaned in, and I kissed him.

  It was gentle and smooth and the warmth in my belly from it overpowered the pain tenfold.

  I kept cupping his face and pulling him infinitely closer.

  He immediately moved his hands to run them through my hair.

  I held in a sigh. This is bliss.

  When we ran out of air, he pulled away and smiled magnificently at me.

  My heart shattered.

  I shut my eyes quicker than light.

  And betrayed all my instincts and him. . .

  And snapped his neck.

  I felt like throwing up in that moment.

  He'll be fine, he'll be fine, he'll be fine, I repeated.

  What if hybrids come during the night and attack them while I'm not here.

  They won't!

  I stumbled away, still without opening my eyes and looking at his unconscious form.

  He'll be fine, he'll be fine, he'll be —

  "What the h3ll are you doing, Maria?"

  I froze in my fumbling to get away.

  Goddess my stomach and heart hurt so bad, I'm not sure which hurts worse, but I tried to ignore it as I turned to find Cali wide awake and staring at me.

  I sputtered, "Um I, I uh um —"

  She put her hand up to stop my babbling, "Well don't hurt yourself," she said. "Besides, I already know the answer."

  I looked at her and was able to steel myself a little as she reminded me of the reason I have to do this.

  ". . . I have to save them," I told her hesitantly, hoping she won't wake the others.

  She held my eyes for a painfully long time. For a few seconds we just watched each other in the dark.

  "I can understand that," she finally spoke.

  I was slightly taken aback but after a pause, I nodded. We understand each other on this.

  "Um. . . If I'm not back by sunrise. . ." I trailed off, knowing she knows what I mean.

  She nodded in comprehension.

  There was another pause.

  "If I don't make it back, then you all were right in saying it's too dangerous for us, and I don't want Jason or any of you near it."

  She looked around and her gaze finally landed on wolfie. She let out a slight chortle, "I don't know if I'd be able to stop him from going after you," her eyes drew back to me, "but I'll tell him you asked."

  "Thank you," I said slowly.

  She nodded again back.

  I was about to be on my way, wanting to get to them as soon as possible, but something nagging at me in the back of my mind stopped me. I turned back to her. "You've been. . ." I wanted to say you've been acting strange, because she has been, but I didn't think it the best option, "Um, are you alright?" I asked her instead.

  She gave a small knowing smile, "Things have been crazy lately, and I know I've been acting weird."

  I nodded to show I was listening.

  (A/N: so much nodding.)

  "But in my defense, you've been kind of annoying."

  I chuckled. Of course, she just had to. "touché."

  She sighed, "But in your defense, this is a pretty tough time for you."

  I shrugged, "It is for everyone."

  I looked over my shoulder in the direction of the facility and back to Cali then to Wolfie. I might be running out of time.

  I opened my mouth and she looked at me expectantly, "Uh, do you think you could. . ." I gestured in his direction.

  She let out a loud laugh, "Put his head back on straight?" I prayed no one would be shaken from their sleep because of her laugh, but I nodded in confirmation.

"Sure, Maria," She agreed quieter, the hint of amusement still in her voice.

"Thank you," I told her sincerely, as I started shuffling backwards towards the base.

"Good luck."

~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A/N)

Oh my forking goodness, did I just update on time?! I think I did!

First update on time in a hot minute and it feels good:)))).

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Thanks SO MUCH for reading<3

~ The Awkward Star Wars Lover