The sound of wolves howling roused him from a sound sleep. Marin didn’t stir, even as Thom lay there next to her, his heart suddenly hammering against his chest. One howl, another answering.
It’s just the pack coming back. Must be.
He sucked in a pair of breaths, trying to calm his thundering heart. He hoped it was nothing more than that.
Thom eased out of bed, swallowing bile as he did. His stomach was unsettled the same way it was when he had his most disturbing visions, the ones that he wouldn’t remember until later. Maybe it’s just because I got startled awake. That could be it. He dressed quickly and shoved his feet into his boots.
Marin had rolled toward the center of their bed, as if seeking his warmth. Drawing their blankets more tightly around her, Thom leaned in and dropped a gentle kiss on her temple.
“Keep sleeping,” he whispered. “I’ll be back soon.”
She murmured something unintelligible and curled into a ball. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Good. She needs the sleep.
The hall was chilly, though not as chilly as it would be once he finally made it to the tent. He zipped his jacket and dug around in his pockets for his gloves, trying to remember who had the watch.
“Rory,” he muttered. “He’s got the watch.”
If he hadn’t raised the alarm yet, all was probably well.
Probably. Thom grimaced. Probably isn’t for certain.
Thordin met him as he emerged from the hall. The older man’s eyes were sunk into dark hollows, as if he hadn’t slept. Maybe he hadn’t.
“You heard it, too?” he rumbled.
Thom nodded. “Woke me out of a dead sleep.” Assuming I wasn’t jerking awake out of a vision, anyway. He knuckled his eyes, smothering a yawn. “Marin’s still in bed.”
“Just about everyone is. No alarm raised.” Thordin’s gaze drifted toward the main flap. “I have a bad feeling, Thom.”
“One that has nothing to do with Sif?”
Thordin grimaced. “Can’t be sure it’s not that, but I’ve still got a bad feeling.”
“Well, let’s see what’s going on out there.” Thom adjusted his gloves and headed for the chill of the late winter evening, Thordin at his heels.
Maybe I should have grabbed my sword before I came out here.
He hoped he wouldn’t regret having left it behind.
Always grab your weapon Thom. I don’t mind wolves. I am from the Wolf Clan but supernatural wolves? Not so much.
Thanks for the new chapter.