Addendum

"Oh, well this looks like a nice spot." Alyssa said pointing at a bush laden overhang which indeed are notorious for forming natural dens.

"Great find," Ash responded as he ran his eyes over the structure, "I think it'll keep you two nice and warm seeing as how there doesn't seem to be enough room for all of us, so I'll just sleep right here."

Just then Ash went near the entrance and cleared a small area for him to rest in.

Nova shook her head, "No Ash you don't have t-"

"I insist," he said cutting her off, "you and Alyssa can have the den and I'll sleep outside, besides someone needs to stand guard right?"

Alyssa and Nova looked at each other then nodded in agreement.

"Also it's okay, in my former pack, we never slept in dens anyway so I'm used to it." Ash added, though it was a blatant lie thought out in an effort to make him seem way tougher than what he actually was.

Alyssa sighed.

"Are you sure?" She asked him, "I can sleep next to you, y'know for warmth, if you want me to..?"

Ash saw this as a great proposition, though unfortunately his pride prevailed in this situation.

"No it's alright really, I'll be fine." He responded.

Alyssa gave him a kiss on the muzzle in appreciation, for she knew that this heroic stranger didn't have to do this for them. Shortly after, she and Nova crawled inside of the den and settled in for the night.

Ash watched as they both lay down, he then took his place near the entrance of the small den. He wasn't very good at projecting his feelings in a romantic sense, therefore, he figured that maybe this display of boldness would win Alyssa over and hopefully she would think of him as a potential mate, nevertheless, this was a pipe dream at the moment, besides he didn't want to come across as too eager, respecting one's privacy is always a great start.

It was cold and getting colder; A few hours had passed and Alyssa hadn't exactly been asleep the entire time, although the same can't be said for Nova. For most of the duration she occasionally peeked glances at Ash sleeping, despite the fact that only his upper body was visible given the angle she was able to view him from.

"Ash, are you cold?" She whispered to him after noticing he was shivering ever so slightly.

"I'm f-fine." He responded back to her surprise.

Alyssa knew this was a lie so she got up, careful not to disturb Nova who is sleeping right next to her and crawled over to Ash, then huddled under him pressing her body against his. Ash felt his face heat up both literally and figuratively for he's never experienced a female being this close to him.

"Are you comfortable?" Alyssa questioned, as she wrapped his forearm around her shoulder.

"Y-yeah." he responded a little embarrassed, "Are you not cold at all?"

Alyssa giggled.

"Well I kind of have like an extra undercoat," she explained, "I get it from my dad."

"Cool." Ash replied, now able to sleep comfortably due the immense body heat Alyssa gave off.

"Yeah, I guess so. This is nice." She said gingerly, eyes closed falling fast asleep.

Ash couldn't agree more as he too began to doze off.

"Goodnight Alyssa." He said softly.

Jasper started the morning with a golden sunrise and the thin frost that covered everything melted in response. Likewise, Nova was the first to rise and Ash followed suit by yawning then opening his eyes. He could still feel Alyssa's soft body as it radiated warm comforting heat. Moreover he hadn't slept that comfortably in a very long time, and he slept so good in fact he didn't notice Alyssa beginning to stir in his arms, signaling that she too was beginning to wake.