Chapter 72

Elizabeth woke when the bed shifted unexpectedly underneath her. There was a cold breeze on her old cotton hip bustle underwear. She found it in the cabin closet earlier. In a sleepy fog, she reached out for Henry on his side, but all she found was the cold moistness of his side of the bed.

His pillow was nearly soaked with sweat. Just then, a howl ripped through the stillness of the night. Her heart thumping, she swivelled on her bedside candle lamp. Alpha Henry’s cries and howls led her to him in a corner. The light of the candle lamp scarcely reached him. It cast long silhouettes over the long, thick fingers embedded in his hair.

They curled, raven locks whiten in the mixed lamp, and moonlight twined through them, and he grabbed them, letting out another howl and sob. Her heart was speeding and shattering at the same time. It was a moment before she agreed on what to do. She knew by now that sometimes Henry's flashbacks and nightmares would be so horrible that he'd lash out.