Chapter 43

Winnie had decided to name her pups Milena, Winry, and Dillon Jr.

Despite choosing to move in with the coven, Mila found they were still spending most of their time with the wolf packs. It gave her a sense of relief to have a place away from the wolves to retreat to in the evenings, but Rori, it seemed, had already forgiven them.

His puppy love continued to pull him back toward the wolves, against Mila’s better judgement. Meanwhile, Kody was making it his personal mission to repair the distrust between Mila and the packs.

While he was eagerly trying to make up with the wolves, Jed was becoming more detached. He hadn’t been as invested in the wolfs’ project from the start. Now, he was becoming restless being kept in one place.

Mila could sympathize. She had always been on someone else’s schedule before her abandonment.

Kody held her hand a moment longer than necessary, his voice soft against her ear as he leaned in to kiss her cheek as though they were just returning from a date and not just ending the day. Rori ran ahead inside the lakeside condo that was part of the witch’s territory. Their coven kept a meticulous commune.

When there had been humans, the witches had opened their doors to them as a holistic healing retreat. Guests stayed in the cabins that were almost entirely windows so that as little as possible separated them from nature. The lights ran on their own grid of clean energy, but the efficiency was partly due to the witchs’ magic.

It was certainly more comfortable than the cabin with the wolves, but much further removed so it was a bit of a trek. The unicorn could have easily carried Mila and Rori this distance. The reason it didn’t was because Kody insisted on walking them back and forth.

Based on the slow blink Rori gave Kody before dashing off, this was something the two had agreed upon. Mila frowned to herself, while she watched Rori close the door behind him. With the large windows, she could see Jed inside the cabin awaiting their return.

Jed only nodded a greeting to Rori. His red eyes skated lightly over Mila and Kody standing just outside, then he turned away to look at the sunset. Ever the class act, he gave them privacy to chat.

“The pups are so excited that you’ve agreed to teach them again,” Kody murmured.

It had been merely three months since the trial. It was hardly enough time to restore Mila’s faith in the wolves, but Rori and Darren had ganged together to plead Mila to teach again. Most surprisingly, Kimber had also stated that she was willing to give lessons from time to time.

Mila held her lips pursed. Kody was over a foot taller than her, he had to hunch to get so close to her face to talk. Still, he managed.

It was an involuntary reaction that her mouth watered at the scent of him. The low rumble of his voice was terribly alluring and the skin of his hand was searing hot in her own. She had to hold herself steady, not willing to give in and fully forgive just yet.

She knew that it wasn’t really his fault what had happened while they were both away. When he’d heard about what was happening, he’d been just as eager as she to return to the pack and save Rori. Had she needed to run, he might have even abandoned his pack to come with them.

Rori was giving them space for the moment, but in the mornings when Kody came to walk them back to the packs’ lands, he was first out the door to greet him. Rori and Jed were always cordial to each other, clearly nothing wrong between them. It was just that Kody was the father figure Rori craved.

“It is not the fault of the younger generation that concerns me,” Mila said stiffly.

Kody’s face crumpled slightly. He wanted so badly to be able to erase the fear that had been instilled in Mila. He wanted her to feel safe. “You’ll have more students than before. The parents have agreed to try harder to be more welcoming.”

Mila inwardly cringed. She knew as well as anyone that wars weren’t won in a day. If she wanted the change, she would have to meet them half way. His eagerness almost made her feel bad for her reluctance.

She’d never considered what it would be for her to be a mother to anyone. It had never seemed like it would be in the cards for her. Adopting Rori had been unexpected to say the least, now she was so protective of him, she felt her reason and resolve wane at just the thought of danger. How had she become so soft?

Mila forced herself to nod. If it weren’t for Rori she wouldn’t be behaving like this. If it were only her own life on the line, she would’ve already thrown herself back in to helping the wolves. Or maybe she would have left.

She looked up at Kody. He was something else unexpected. She hadn’t thought about what it would be to care for someone as she did for him. Then again, she’d never had to question her own morals. Her path had always been set for her, she didn’t have to think it through.

Kody’s gentle exhale sent shivers down her spine. She leaned into him briefly, taking in the earthy scent of him then stepped back.

“See you tomorrow,” She said softly, going to follow after Rori who from the sounds of it, was already helping himself to a hefty second dinner.

Kody’s head hung a second longer. Then, he too, nodded and turned to leave. “Goodnight.”

Mila closed the door feeling a little cold in the warm cabin. Jed was waiting. He smiled wryly from his position on a futon the cabins had in place of a sofa. “Hey, cher. I think you have something you want to say to me.”