All Alyssa could feel in the endless cold was how warm her hands were.
Jasper heid onto her hands, making sure her fingers were kept safe from the harsh weather. It felt like the only thing keeping her near-dead nerves alive.
She leaned on his back, knowing he would keep her safe. Her fingers twitched just the slightest in Jasperâs grasp.
Jasper swallowed nervously. Fearing she might pull away, he tightened his grip. âStay still. Good girl.â
His back was hurting like mad where the boulder had hit his spine. Still, he was doing a good job of hiding his pain. He didnât want her to worry.
Just this once, Jasper wanted her to know she could rely on and be safe with him.
âUgh⦠Itâs cold. Hurry up thenâ¦â Alyssa grumbled.
âHold on a bit longer. We should be able to find shelter soon.â Every breath Jasper took evaporated into mist.
âWhat if we donât?â
Before Jasper could stop himself, he responded, âThen you can take shelter in my arms.â
H âNo!â Alyssa whined. âDonât you dare try and take advantage of me!â
Jasper smiled. Though she wasnât staying very still, he still could support her weight. Even his heart felt warm and glad for this moment with her.
He should really focus on finding shelter for them, though. It was not like she could run away from him right now.
The two stayed close to one another, their breathing and heartbeats nearly in sync.
It was as if time had turned back to 13 years ago-the only change being that Alyssa was no longer the young girl he had met. She had even married him and been his wife for three years.
Meanwhile, Sean had rushed back to the base camp with only an umbrella for protection from the rain, having been worried about Alyssa.
Upon his arrival, he was soaked through with rainwater and had mud caked at the ends of his pants.
âMs. Alyssalâ he cried right before opening the doors.
Elijah and Xavier just so happened to walk out.
âYou!â Xavier exclaimed in shock, then quickly composed himself.
âWhat are you⦠is Jasper Beckett here? Whereâs Ms. Alyssa?â Sean had a nagging sense that something was very wrong right now, âQuiet down, will you?â Xavier quickly shut him up. He was just as worried, but he trusted that Alyssa would be kept safe and protected by the forces above. He also had faith that his boss would be able to do the same.
âMr. Jasper and the rest of the rangers are up in the mountains looking for Madam. Iâve already dispatched three helicopters to search for them, too, and Mr. Jasper has sworn not to come back down the mountain until he finds her!â
Sean couldnât help but reel at Xavierâs words. He couldnât believe someone as cruel as Jasper would be so devoted to Alyssa.
âItâs all my fault. I shouldnât have let Alice go out on the search patrol!â Elijah wailed.
âDonât say that, sir. Have some faith in Mr. Jasper. Heâs the âMountain Godâ for a reason, no?â
Elijah was rendered speechless.
Xavier was really good at making the atmosphere awkward.