Page 40 of Hostile Holiday

“I am. It feels weird to know that I am getting ready to avoid myself, but I am better dressed now. Do you have my sweater?”

“Yesoff made sure it is ready.”

“Good. It was with me then, and I want it to be with me now.”

“I am with you now.”

“Yes, but there is something about this sweater. Ever since I first picked it up, I have a feeling that it’s important.”

He nodded, and as if summoned, Yesoff brought her the sweater. It was the night before Yule, so they had some time.

Orla was nervous but thought back on the week of normal exercise, regular meals, and quiet moments with Hunter while they looked through the local shelter advertisements for a puppy. Orla knew what she wanted, and when she saw it, she would know.

Hunter looked at her as she wrapped her arm with the sweater. “Just like the arena.”

“For a very similar purpose. This is going to hurt if I don’t do it right.”

“I will help. You just need to let me know what you want.”

“I want you at my back. That’s it. I have to do this, and I finally know how.”

“How?”

A voice brought their heads around, and Emery was standing there wearing denim and leather and a grin. “I am ready if you are, buddy.”

Orla grinned, and Hunter was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, first, I had to drop off a dire wolf puppy with Yesoff so he can give it a bath and get the blood off it. It’s healed, but it was mauled pretty badly. It is going to enjoy living with someone who will cuddle and pamper it.”

Orla’s eyes went wide, and she sprinted down the steps to see Yesoff wrangling a huge puppy into a basin on the counter. She crooned and stroked the chin and fussed over it.

Yesoff finally said, “Do what you have to do and get back here. He’s going to need help.”

“We are going to need larger puppy supplies,” Hunter muttered.

Orla washed her hands and saw the blood on them. “This isn’t his, is it?”

“A little. He did a lot of damage with his milk teeth.” Emery sighed. “Rowen found him for me. He knew I was looking for a puppy for you.”

Orla chuckled. “So, how is that going?”

“Oh, you know. He is backpedalling, and I am staying steady.”

“You do realize that he was remaining faithful to you, even if you two hadn’t properly met yet.”

“Don’t come out on his side.”

“I am not, but I am just saying that if he was using his preoccupation with the vision of you to keep him from hitting on the current you, it is kind of sweet.”

Emery looked at her. “Shush and dry your hands. We have to deal with some ogres.”

Orla nodded and looked at the puppy. “Mommy will be with you later, Snowflake.”

Yesoff raised his brows. “Just like that. Wow. You are easy.”

Emery chuckled. “No, I am easy. I promised Rowen a date for the puppy. Yes, I am renting myself out for canines.”

Hunter snorted. “As fascinating and interesting a mental image as that is, we need to get going.”

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