Chapter 12 Silas #2
“Stop chattering, little mute,” I muttered, irritation cutting through my words before I could rein it in. “You’re going to give our location away, your teeth are clicking so loud.”
The sound didn’t stop.
Knox glanced back from the window, eyes narrowing slightly as he scolded me. “She’s cold,” he said evenly. “She can’t help it.”
I exhaled through my nose, trying to tune out the sound. The useless heater hummed weakly, barely pushing out any warmth. The blanket draped over Lena was too thin to do much of anything, even if she was pretending otherwise.
Finally, when I couldn't take it anymore, I pushed myself up onto an elbow and glared at her. “You’re freezing,” I said.
She shook her head immediately, too fast and automatic.
I scoffed. “Don’t lie, little mute. I can hear your teeth chattering. The floor is practically vibrating because your body is shaking too.”
On cue, her teeth chattered again, sharp clicking she couldn’t suppress no matter how hard she tried. She curled tighter, arms wrapping around herself like she could fold the cold out of her bones.
I leveled a stern look at her. “We’re not here for an hour or even a night. We’re going to be in this dump for three days.” I gestured around the room. “No power. No heat.”
She didn’t respond. Just watched me, with guarded eyes.
“Silas is right. You won’t last like this,” Knox added, calm and practical. “Lena, you’ll freeze to death. Your body barely has an ounce of insulation.”
Her eyes flicked to him, then back to me.
“I’m not asking to touch you,” I said, forcing myself to smooth my frustration and choose each word carefully. “I’ll lie next to you. That’s it. On the mattress. You keep the blanket. I won’t put a hand on you... unless you ask.”
She stiffened immediately.
“I know,” I said before she could retreat. “You don’t like being close.” My words hardened. “But alphas run hot. Really hot. Just being near me will keep you warmer, and this isn’t about comfort. It’s about survival.”
Knox inclined his head. “Survival,” he said calmly, “is something you’re already very good at, runt.”
Her gaze darted between us, calculating and weighing our words. She was always doing that. Measuring risk.
“For fuck’s sake Lena, I’m not going to pin you down,” I added, impatience creeping before I could help it. “Or trap you! If you want me gone, I’ll move. It’s that simple.”
She hesitated until another shiver ran through her, deeper this time. Her teeth clicked again, louder.
I exhaled slowly. “You can freeze and chatter so loud you give our location away,” I said bluntly. “Or you can let me help. Those are your options.”
Knox shot me a look but didn’t contradict me.
Finally, after a long moment, she reluctantly nodded.
“Good,” I said, already moving toward her. “Scoot over.”
She did, inching toward the far edge of the inflatable mattress, leaving as much space as possible between us. I laid beside her, keeping my movements slow and visible. My hands rested on my chest where she could see them clearly.
I didn’t touch her.
Didn’t crowd her.
I just existed there, solid and warm.
It took a minute, maybe two, but the chattering faded. Her breathing eased, still shallow and cautious, but no longer panicked.
Knox returned his attention to the window, satisfied.
“See?” I murmured. “I’m not so bad.”
She didn’t answer, nod, or even look at me at all.
Initially, she remained stiff, keeping a careful distance between our bodies, and tensing every muscle as if preparing for contact. I didn’t move, worried to even breathe too deep. I just stayed right where I was, solid and warm, letting the cold do the convincing for me.
Time passed.
The heater hummed uselessly. Cold pressed in from the concrete floor, walls, and broken window frames. I could feel it leaching through my layered clothes, creeping inside.
Then she shifted, just barely an inch. So slight, I almost missed it.
Her shoulders loosened slightly, the tension easing just enough for her to edge closer, drawn by my alpha warmth, which she couldn’t ignore anymore. I stayed still, eyes fixed on the ceiling, hands exactly where I’d promised they would be.
Another minute.
Then her back brushed my arm.
An accidental contact.
Her breath hitched, and she froze again, waiting. When nothing happened, when I didn’t move, react, or trap her, she let out a breath of relief.
She shifted once more, this time deliberately, pressing closer until the space between us disappeared. Her body curled, knees tucked up, fitting herself against me, seeking warmth.
I adjusted slightly, turning onto my side, just enough to shield her better from the cold, still not pressing closer. My body curved around hers without enclosing her, creating a barrier rather than a cage.
She made a soft sound, barely more than a sigh. Then her weight shifted as she finally settled fully against me.
Her body turned, and she rested her head on my shoulder. After a moment’s hesitation, her chin dipped as she tucked her face into the crook of my arm. After a while, her breathing evened out, coming in deep pulls and leaving in steady exhales.
I didn’t dare move or speak, afraid to disrupt the choice she was making.
Lena had chosen to trust me.
To touch me willingly.
To allow me to take care of her.
At the window, Knox glanced back at us. His brow shot up with surprise, then he smirked before looking away again.
And sometime after that, with the cold still pressing in and the night stretching long ahead of us, the little mute fell asleep in my arms as if she belonged there.