Page 45 of Mated to the Wolves

I scoot closer and lean against him. “Always, Cad.”

He wraps an arm around my shoulders and we sit silently. The peace surrounding us is a comforting reprieve from the current upheaval.

“I don’t know what to do with my days now,” he admits.

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. It’s been so long since I had any real spare time.”

It sounds like a sad, unfulfilling existence. I hadn’t realized how much time he used to spend with my family growing up until now. Had we provided him with the family setting?

“It looks like you have some thinking to do while I get back to my research,” I gesture toward the journal.

“No luck yet?”

“No. Kirk’s working on a spell from the other book in the basement.”

“Has he made more progress?”

I snicker. “Not that I’ve heard. Between us, I’m relieved there haven’t been any explosions.

Those texts are ancient, and I’m not convinced he isn’t doing guesswork on ingredients and measurements.” I frown, thinking about the dedicated Healer.

Cadoc chuckles. “Kirk can handle himself.”

“I still worry.”

“That’s cute, Brat. The man’s been around longer than you’ve been alive. He’s going to be just fine.”

I ‘m happy to be his source of amusement if it puts a smile on his face. I’d always adored him.

I’m slowly settling into things. Taking comfort in his strength and presence, despite the shitty situation we’ve landed in is easier than holding onto the anger.

I open the journal and scan the page. Reading her descriptions I draw the tall purple flowers she’s describing.

“What do you want to do after this?” he asks.

“What do you mean?” I add detail around the pistil of the flowers.

“You’ve always been destined for great things Ylva. This is just—” He pauses. “A side quest.”

“I don’t know. I had a gallery job lined up and a space to display my work. That’s gone now.” I gasp. “I can’t imagine what they thought when I no-called, no-showed.”

I’d been so wrapped up in pack life, I hadn’t given this a second thought.

“I can help with that. They were all informed of a sudden devastating family tragedy that was time-sensitive and all-consuming.”

Anger and relief swirl together like a chocolate and vanilla ice cream cone. My reputation hadn’t been obliterated.

“It’s not like they’re holding a position for me until I return.” I shade the flowers known as monkshood.

“Hey.” Cadoc places a hand on the paper, forcing me to stop. “This won’t be forever.”

“You have no idea how long this search will take.”

“No, but we all need to have things to look forward to, don’t we?”

“Because I’ll be free to leave when all is said and done?”

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