Page 26 of Squirrel Hunt
Konrad shrugged. “I figured once they’re done—” He nodded at Dahy and Jyran, who was opening cupboards and pulling out drawers. “I’ll take Dahy home where he’s safe, then I’ll have a chat with Roan and Farris.”
Gideon nodded. “Keep me informed.”
Konrad dipped his head in acknowledgement, and Dahy couldn’t help but stare at him. Take him home? So far, Konrad appeared calm for an alpha, but could he trust him? His soul was screaming at him to cling to him and never let go, but he needed to think with a rational brain—which was hard for squirrels.
Myka walked up to him and bumped her shoulder against his. “You okay staying with him? I can take you home, but Roan will be there, and—”
“No, it’s cool.” He wasn’t sure it was, but he didn’t think Roan would appreciate Myka dragging him home with her, and she’d already done so much for him.
“In that case, I think I’ll get going before Roan loses his head and sends out a search party. He’s twitchy these days.”
Dahy grinned at her, and she wrapped her arms around him in a goodbye hug. “Call me.”
“I don’t have my phone.”
“I have it.” Konrad’s voice made him tingle, and he shot him a glance.
“Yeah?”
“Yes, all your things are at my place. If you’re ready, we can head out too.”
Jyran straightened. “But I haven’t found the pistachios.”
Konrad chuckled. “You keep searching, and I promise to bring him back in a day or two. Sound okay?”
Jyran looked into Dahy’s eyes. “Konrad has my number. Call me or text or whatever. We can go grab a coffee tomorrow to catch up.”
Dahy nodded, excited already.
“Yes! You can come to the coffee shop.” Myka was practically bouncing.
“Great!” Dahy grinned at her.
“No.” Both Konrad and Gideon spoke at the same time.
Dahy, Jyran, and Myka all frowned at them.
“Roan has me watched like a fucking prisoner all the time, they’ll be perfectly safe.”
Konrad winced. “Ah…yeah, I guess.”
Gideon didn’t look happy, but Dahy was. Cousin coffee, it wasn’t often a squirrel got the chance to have that.
“Right, you can finalize your plans later, and I’ll make sure someone is there to keep an eye on you.” Konrad gave Gideon a small nod. Dahy slid off the barstool, but some of the joy had evaporated. He didn’t like being treated like a child who needed to be looked after, especially not by a stupid wolf.
Chapter 13
Konrad was nervous as he showed Dahy to the car. Some of the joy had left him, and it had his wolf sharpening its claws at the inside of his ribcage. “Did you wish to stay longer?” Konrad didn’t think Gideon would’ve appreciated it if they hung around for too long. They were preparing to open for the night, and them being there disrupted their work.
“No, it’s fine.”
Fine was a tricky word. It could mean things were fine, but in Konrad’s experience, it seldom did. He dropped it for now. “Are you hungry?”
“I had nuts.” Dahy gestured at The Howling Moon.
“Nuts are not food.”
The glare he got wasn’t at all what he’d anticipated. “I…eh…maybe they are, what do I know? But maybe you’ll be hungry in a while? I could cook us some…” Were squirrels vegetarians? No, he didn’t think so. “Any dietary issues?”