Scarlet woke with a gasp, heard pounding, sweat cascading down her brow, swiping at her arms to get rid of what she belatedly realised was only dream blood. She shuddered, her mind recalling the dream and confirming to her consciousness that it was not real. She sighed.

Dreading the thought of closing her eyes again, Scarlet wandered downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of milk. She paused by the door to the spare room – where Wolf was staying. She heard his soft snores and her heart sped up for a different reason. She had put him in the spare room because she hadn't wanted to go too fast. She had told him she wanted to take things slowly and make sure they were right.

She pushed the door open and watched him sleep, so peaceful despite everything they had done to him. Who was she kidding with this take-things-slow crap? Not her. Not Wolf. She crept over to the bed and tentatively knelt down on the edge. Wolf stirred, looking hazily up at her through half open eyes. He opened his arms to her, and she dove right in, snuggling into his chest, and relishing the feeling of his strong arms around her.

They didn't say anything, but in the safety of Wolf's arms, Scarlet felt herself relaxing. She felt Wolf drift back off to sleep, although his arms never loosened around her. She smiled as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.


KC