Page 84 of Shadow of Death

“Yes. At the mill.”

He eyed me up. “You’re better. You look calmer.”

“Yes. I am. I think everything is going to be good.”

He smiled and then looked at the wolf by my side. “What’s with the dog?”

My wolf made a little growling noise.

“It’s a wolf.” I was going to have to tell the pack to not call it a dog. That was really pissing it off.

“What’s the deal with it?”

“It’s sort of a long story. Go back to bed. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”

“Either way, I’m glad you’re back.” He smiled before stumbling back to bed and shutting the door.

I made my way into Charlie’s room, seeing him cuddled under his blanket, his little face so peaceful.

I knelt by the bed, unable to stop myself from running a hand over his hair, trying to hold back from hugging him and waking him in the process.

It didn’t matter, as he woke anyway. His eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times, as if not sure he was seeing me, before his face lit up. “You’re back.”

He wrapped his arms around my neck, and I hugged him to me.

“Yes. And I’m not leaving again.”

He sucked in a breath. “You got a wolf?”

I leaned back, watching his eyes go wide.

“Yes. It’s our friend. It’s going to live here with us.” My wolf leaned in, licking Charlie on the face and sending him into a round of giggles.

“Can it sleep with me?”

“If it wants to.”

My wolf, as if understanding the invitation, jumped onto the bed and snuggled up to Charlie.

“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

He smiled and hugged my wolf like they were best friends.

I left them and headed to the mill.

Kicks was outside on the stoop.

“You didn’t have to wait out here for me,” I said. We’d been traveling hard for days, both of us waiting to get back as fast as possible.

“I wanted to.” He steered me in front of him with a hand on my back until we got to his bedroom. He pointed to the dresser. “Open the top drawer.”

I did as he asked, and there was a sealed envelope with my name on it.

“Why did you leave a letter with my name on it?” I glanced up at him.

“I left it for you in case I didn’t make it back.”

I took a seat on his bed, my hands shaking as I opened it.