Page 38 of Cold Foot King

Katrina shook her head. “I’ve lost track of time. Months. They made us take meds every morning.”

“Okay. This is morning one without them.” She pointed to the woods across the way. “That bigass ape already Changed trying to protect you. His system is so out of whack right now, and then you’re mentioning him breeding you, and I’m going to guess he hated doing that as much, if not more, than you did. Silverbacks are protective. That went against every instinct in his body. The B-word is likely going to be off-limits for you two.”

“Well, I know that now,” she grumbled. “I’m really bad at seduction, and also dirty talk. Rook just kind of did it from behind, and grunted like a pig a bunch.”

Silver burst out laughing, and that old familiar sound dragged a reluctant smile from Kat. “I’m glad my trauma can entertain you.”

“Hey, your trauma is my trauma, so we can laugh about it all we want.” Silver grabbed Kat’s shoulders and leveled her with a serious look. “You’re going to be okay.”

“I have no idea where my life is headed. I’m in the middle of a small town in Alaska with one pair of clothes, and sixty-nine dollars to my name.”

“Hold out your hand,” Silver said.

“You’re not going to put a used Kleenex in it or something, are you?”

“Ew, no. Just trust me. Hold it out.”

Katrina puffed air out of her cheeks and held out her bare hand. She was probably going to have frostbite soon.

Silver laid a small, rectangular box on her palm, and looked at her with such a strange expression. There was hope, and happiness, and emotion there swimming in the glowing gold, instead of anger.

“What is this?” Katrina asked.

“Open it.”

Carefully, she pulled the top of it off to expose a finely-made pocketknife. On the green handle was etched a logo with the initials SB.

“SB?” she asked.

“Silver Bear. There’s a seer in Damon’s Mountains named Beaston. He made matching knives for the Fastlanders when the Crew was all official. For Wreck and Timber’s wedding present, he made matching knives for the Crew Wreck will create.”

Chills rippled up Katrina’s spine. “I have heard of Beaston.” He was a living legend in Damon’s Mountains. He also made very expensive knives. This was probably a five-hundred-dollar pocketknife. Carefully, Katrina flicked it open and read the engraving on the blade.Wreck’s Mountains.

“Why are you giving this to me?” she asked, the inklings of realization blooming in her chest. She needed to know for sure the meaning of this gift.

“Because you’re ready. You have learned to own all of your mistakes, and I can see you trying to grow. Months ago, you told me to stay with the Fastlanders because you still cared. Now I’m telling you to stay with Wreck’s Crew, because I also still care.”

“Whoooo,” she blew out the word like a breath as she studied the fine blade. “Is Wreck okay with you giving me this?”

“He gave it to me just before you came out here, after he talked to King this morning. Whatever that man said to the phoenix, he impressed him. Wreck is still undecided about bringing King in, but he trusts his judgement. And he trusts mine. I traveled all the way here just to make sure you had your shot. This is your shot if you want it, Kat. Don’t mess this one up. Trust me, Kat. Damon’s Mountains Crews aren’t like the Pride. It’s so much better. It’s got a good foundation, and deep friendships. It’s family. It’s watching out for each other. No one will ever cut your face again. If they tried, they would burn. Do you understand?”

Katrina nodded. She couldn’t speak on account of her lungs feeling so heavy. Her voice would crack. So she folded the blade back into the handle and hooked it on her leggings, then pulled Silver in for a hug, and gah, it felt so good. They hadn’t hugged like this in so long.

Silver blew out a breath and pushed her back to arm’s length. “Okay, are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“To see if you can Change? Probably half of your emotional outbursts will be cured with a good Change, and maybe a hunt.”

“My lioness will probably be an absolute menace.”

“I’m prepared. I’m Changing too. I’ll keep you from killing anyone.”

“Really?”

Silver nodded, her smile reaching her eyes.

Katrina brushed her knuckle down Silver’s scar. “You didn’t deserve it either. If you ever want vengeance, Rook is still deep in Cold Foot Prison somewhere.”

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