Page 21 of The Healer and the Wolf: Part One

After a bit of rooting around, I decided to make an entire multipack of ramen in the biggest pot I had. Once I had the noodles in, I spiced it up with hot sauce, extra greens from my garden, and a couple of eggs for extra protein. Normally, a single pack with some added greenery was enough for my lunch and dinner, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be nearly enough for Leo. Maybe I read too many fantasy books, but pretty much in every one of them, mythical beasts always had mythical appetites.

I added some garlic powder and onion powder, along with a splash of sesame oil, soy sauce, and a little bit of MSG for flair. Thankfully, I was pretty sure the wolf had missed out on the rather xenophobic hysteria about the harmless seasoning, so I didn’t have to worry about any pushback there.

Just when it began to smell quite good, Leo appeared in the door as if the aroma had summoned him. I flashed him an uncertain grin, still not sure what to make of him. He was devastatingly handsome, and when he spoke, there was such an intense gravitas to his voice that I wanted to lean in and hear more. But also, he was a fucking stranger who had just been a wolf and had probably been cursed? Wild.

Hopefully he’d been cursed by someone evil rather than him being the evil that needed to be cursed. I had assumed the former, but I really had no proof of that. We could have a realKnights of the Old Republicsituation on our hands, with neither of us knowing it. Granted, I was certain Leo had never heard of KOTOR—most people hadn’t.

Unsurprisingly, Leo devoured the food with gusto, making smacking sounds and—uh, was that agrowl?It was kind of flattering, but also a little gross. Now that he was human again, I’d have to refresh him on his table manners. Not a big deal, but it would certainly make life a little easier for him.

He finished the giant bowl in record time and sat back with a satisfied sigh.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his eyes closed as he rubbed his stomach. Underneath all that dirt, tangled hair, and impressively thick beard, he looked quite content. “That was the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.” He frowned, his lips pulling to the side. “Well, that I remember eating.”

Yeah, I was definitely flattered. “If you liked that, you should see what I can cook once I get paid. This was just all emergency stash kinda stuff.”

He gave me a confused look. If he’d forgotten who he was, then he probably wasn’t all that familiar with getting a paycheck, either.

“I’m a little short on money, and money is what we use to buy things, so I need to wait until my job gives me money to get more food.”

“Ah.” He looked troubled, and I wondered if I’d done something wrong. “I think I remember money.”

“Don’t stress too much on that one. Money is complicated.”

“I think I remember that, too.”

Was that a hint of humor I detected? I chuckled softly and wanted to dive right back into asking more questions, when one of my alarms on my phone went off.

Leo was on his feet in an instant, eyes wide. “What’s that?”

“Sorry. That’s my alarm. I only have ten minutes before I need to leave to make it to work on time. It’s okay. Nothing dangerous.”

“Oh.” He sat back down, and I couldn’t read his face again. “So, you’re leaving?”

“I have to, but I’ll be back tonight. You can stick around the house if you like, but donot,under any circumstances, let my cats out. They are indoor pets and indoor petsonly.”

“I understand.”

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay alone?” It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him, but also, he was still a stranger. Yet he also wasn’t. It was one of the many strange things about discovering the random wolf I’d helped was less wild animal and more of a magical man trapped within a beastie shell.

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Thank you for asking.”

I nodded, wanting to say more, but I couldn’t. I hurriedly got dressed, splashed some water on my face, and rushed out the door. Sadly, I wouldn’t have a packed lunch, but oh, well.

Hopefully, work would be chill for once, and I wouldn’t come back to my house on fire.

Work was nicerthan usual because Tiffany wasn’t on the schedule. I made it through the day without much drama, then cycled home as fast as my legs would allow, wondering if I was going to find a horror scene from leaving Leo alone in my home. I hoped he had the good sense not to turn the gas stove on or flood the bathroom.

Oh, God, did he even know where the bathroom was? Or would he simply take a dump in the middle of my living room?

As awful as that would be, it was also kind of hilarious. Gross, yes, but hilarious.

However, when I entered, there was no mess and no smell of gas or excrement. That was certainly a relief. Hanging my keys by the door, I went to the living room. Leo was sitting on the floor with several books around him. He wasn’t alone. All the cats were either lying around him or in his lap.

Now,thatI hadn’t expected. Goober seemed to already have an understanding with the man, butMudpie?She was the most discerning of my felines. While she would accept people, she only cuddled with me.

Well, apparently not just me anymore.

My gaze flicked back to Leo’s face as he studiously stared at the book, his dirty finger slowly moving across the page while his lips moved. He looked so locked in—a keen mind behind those bright green eyes of his.

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