In the blink of an eye, several days had passed. The storm continued to rage, keeping both of us confined to the cabin. Once a day, Zale would brave the icy winds to check the traps scattered around the property and fill two large buckets with water from a nearby river. Thankfully, the cabin was well stocked with food, so even though the traps remained empty, we had more than enough to eat.

I found myself growing surprisingly comfortable in the presence of the large beastman. He was intelligent, fun to talk to, and quick to smile. I began looking for ways to make him smile more often, because something about the way his face lit up warmed me from the inside out. When Zale was smiling, the pain of losing my comrades didn’t vanish, but it became a little easier to bear. 

Zale encouraged me to talk about them, and I found myself sharing tales of our adventures late into the night. It felt good to remember them as they were before, full of laughter and life. Holding onto those memories helped push away the horror of that final day, if only for a little while.

By the third night, the storm broke, which meant I would probably depart in the morning. Even though he had offered to let me wait out the rest of the season, I felt like I needed to leave sooner. Not only was I imposing on him, but I was beginning to grow a little too attached to the large beastman who had saved me. 

I couldn’t ignore the little flutters in my chest whenever Zale smiled or stood close to me. I was fairly certain he’d noticed, but he was kind enough to pretend that he was unaware of my growing infatuation. That quiet consideration only made me like him more. It was definitely time to go.

That night, we celebrated the end of the storm, which would also mark the return of Zale’s mate. Zale heated up some cider he had stored away, and we drank together while playing a simple game that involved rolling a wooden cube with numbered sides. 

Whenever it was Zale’s turn to play, I found myself stealing glances at him, letting my gaze linger as he focused on the game. He had a rugged, fierce look to him, but there was something undeniably beautiful about him as well. His dark, slightly upturned eyes and deep brown fur contrasted perfectly with his caramel skin. I was sure he caught me staring more than once, but thankfully, he never commented on it.

Eventually, we both drifted off to sleep on the floor of the living room, our mugs and the game left discarded beside us on the large fur rug. 

I woke to the first rays of sunshine I’d seen in nearly a week and the sound of someone entering the cabin. I closed my eyes, pretending to still be asleep.

“Zale baby!” a voice called out from the doorway, “I’m ba– What in the name of the spirits is going on here?!”

“Shh, babe,” Zale said in a hushed voice, quickly rising to his feet, “You’ll wake Bryn.”

“Zale baby, why is there a human in our house?” Zale’s mate whispered, sounding fearful rather than angry. 

“I found him half dead in the storm when I went to check the traps,” Zale explained, his voice calm and reassuring, “I promise you there’s nothing to worry about. He's not one of the bad ones. He’s been here for days without incident.”

“Alright…” his mate replied, sounding calmer but doubtful, “I’ll trust your judgement, but… No, nevermind. I trust you. As long as you’re sure. Come to think of it, I’ve never actually talked to a human before. What’s he like? You’re sure he’s not one of those awful humans?”

“No, not at all,” Zale answered, his voice steady. “Actually, I think you’ll like him. He’s… well, he’s kind of cute.”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, fluttering in a way I couldn’t ignore. I was cute?

No, don’t misunderstand, I told myself. He probably means that I’m harmless. Cute like a mouse or a squirrel. There’s no hidden meaning beyond that.  

“Oh, he’s cute, is he?” the mate teased, with laughter in his voice, “Is there something you need to tell me about this human? Hmmm?”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Zale replied hastily, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

“Sure you didn’t,” his mate chuckled, low and intimate, “Now I’m curious. I can't wait to meet this cute human that you rescued. It’s been a while since we had someone else to talk to. But let’s wake him with breakfast, ‘cause I’m starving. I ran out of rations last night.” 

“Well I can’t have my poor honey starving,” Zale cooed, “Go sit down and let your big bear take care of you.”

What followed was undoubtedly the sound of a kiss. The fluttering in my heart turned into a sharp sting as reality fully set in. Zale had a mate and I was just an interloper, someone who didn't belong here. I should leave after breakfast. 

Soon, the clattering of pots and the creaking of cupboards began echoing through the small cabin. A few quiet moments passed before I sensed someone approaching. Silently, they lay down behind me on the rug. There was only one option as to who it could be. 

So quietly that I almost missed it, Zale’s mate whispered, “I know you’re awake.”

Unconsciously, I stiffened at his words. I’d been caught?

His breath was warm against my skin, his lips nearly brushing my ear as he continued, “It was your heartbeat that gave you away. It started racing when Zale said you’re cute. His ears aren’t sharp enough to pick up on that stuff, but mine are.”

His closeness sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart started racing for an entirely different reason. The way he lingered behind me felt far too intimate, but I couldn’t tell if the flutter in my chest was fear, embarrassment, or something else entirely.

Then, I heard him laughing softly, “No need to be nervous, my sweet. I’m just curious about you. Will you turn around for me? I want to see how cute you are.”

I rolled over and hesitantly opened my eyes. When the face of Zale’s mate came into focus, I almost had to stifle a gasp. He was beautiful.

He had delicate, somewhat feminine features; a narrow nose, high cheekbones, and full, heart-shaped lips. But what struck me the most were his eyes. One was a dark reddish brown, the other a striking icy blue. 

A jagged scar ran across his face, starting at his forehead, cutting across the bridge of his lovely nose, and trailing down his cheek. It should have marred his beauty, but it only enhanced it. Paired with his mismatched eyes, the scar looked like it belonged there.

Seeing my cheeks redden, he smiled, “Oh, you are very cute. I can see why Zale likes you.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is,” Zale interrupted, poking his head out from the kitchen and startling us both, “My sly fox sent me to the kitchen so he could have our guest all to himself. What happened to waking him with breakfast, hmmm?”

Hearing Zale call his mate a sly fox drew my attention to the large white ears that sat on top of his head. I didn’t know much about Beastlands mating habits, but I had assumed they stayed within their own animal groups. It somehow seemed odd to me that a fox and a bear would be mates. Then again, I suppose it didn’t really matter in their human forms. 

“You’ve had him to yourself for days,” the fox defended, “It’s only fair that I get a turn. I’ve had no one to talk to for almost a week, and aren't you supposed to be busy cooking right now? I promise I'll behave, so hurry up and feed us.”

Zale chuckled at his demanding mate and went back to work.

“Uh, I’m Bryn,” I said shyly, far too aware of how close his face was to mine, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m Elio,” the fox informed me, gazing at me with interest, “and it’s nice to meet you as well. You know, you’re the first human I’ve ever met who didn’t try to kill me on sight. It's a refreshing change, I must say. Are you planning to stick around for a while? It’s been just me and Zale out here for far too long.”

“Well, actually... I was planning on leaving as soon as the storm passed,” I admitted, a guilty knot forming in my stomach.

My plan had been to leave immediately so as not to upset Zale's mate, but it seemed my consideration was in vain. I had no idea what he was thinking, but he was surprisingly accepting of my presence. A little too accepting, actually. I wasn’t used to being around people who were this forward on first meeting. 

“Well, not anymore you aren’t,” Elio declared with a playful smirk, “You're going to stay for the rest of the season. It wouldn’t be safe to try to travel back alone. Another storm could hit at any moment. Besides, if you leave now, it’ll feel like you left because of me.”

“I’m not leaving because of you!” I protested, feeling even guiltier, because technically, he wasn't wrong, “I just… I’ve already imposed enough. I’m feeling much better and the weather has improved. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“Nope. I won't allow it. You’re staying, and that’s final,” Elio said, waving off my excuses with a flick of his hand, “But more importantly, Zale baby! Is breakfast ready yet?!”

Zale’s voice echoed out of the kitchen, “It’s comin’, babe! Be patient for once in your life!”