My eyes adjusted more to the dark, and I saw the puppy beside the shrub. He inched away from us. Well, from Lake.
“Hey, buddy.” I crouched down and carefully set the plate in front of him. “We brought you some food. It’s yummy steak. Do you like steak? I hope so.”
Oreo’s ears perked up the more I spoke. The tension in his little body gradually eased, and he sniffed the air a few times before creeping forward.
“I know meeting new people can be scary,” I continued in a gentle voice. “But Lake is nice. He won’t hurt you. He’s the one who grows those tomatoes you love to eat.”
“Hello.” Lake bowed his head. “A pleasure to meet you.”
I pressed my lips together. He was too damn cute.
Oreo inched closer, glancing between Lake and the plate. Then, as if understanding he was safe, he snatched a chunk of steak and started chewing.
“That’s a good boy. Eat all you want.” I lightly petted the top of Oreo’s head. He didn’t even flinch at the contact. Instead, he nuzzled my palm in between bites, seeking more pets. A ball of emotion swelled in my throat. “Thank you for saving me.”
The puppy stopped eating and lifted his gaze. His blue eyes looked electric in the shadow of night, faintly glowing just like another wolf I knew and loved.
“Briar said you infused your own mana into me. To heal me.” I scratched his left ear while the right one flopped, just like it’d done the first day I’d met him. “I hope it didn’t hurt you to do that.”
Oreo emitted a little whine and came closer. He licked my hand.
“He wasn’t hurt,” Lake said. “It only made him tired for a while after.”
“Wait.” I glanced up at him from my crouched position. He remained about a foot away. “You can understand him?”
“Not in the same way you and I understand each other. It’s more of a feeling.” Cautiously, Lake closed the gap between us and squatted to my level. “Perhaps it’s my animal counterpart.”
When Lake held out his hand, Oreo sniffed the air again before slowly nearing him. He released another small whine and licked Lake’s fingers.
Lake smiled down at him. “He’s sweet-natured.”
“He is.” I scratched Oreo’s ears, then trailed my hand down the back of his neck. Soft fur tickled my palm.
Even knowing the truth, it was still hard to believe he was a demon. He looked exactly like a wolf. Not like the monsters from my nightmares—the ones who’d chased me and Rowan through the dark wood.
Oreo returned his attention to the plate and allowed us to pet him as he ate. Which was a big deal. Some animals got really territorial when they ate and would snap at anyone too close. But not him. He wagged his poofy tail and gobbled up every bit of the food, then head-butted each of our hands.
A loud crack of thunder pierced the air. The kind that came with no warning. Oreo snarled and nipped at Lake’s fingers.
“Oh my god!” I grabbed Lake’s hand. Blood beaded to the surface. “Are you okay?”
Oreo whined and scurried back a few steps.
“I’m fine,” Lake gently said, not sounding angry at all. “He didn’t mean to. The noise frightened him.”
I glanced at the puppy. “You’re afraid of storms too? I feel ya, buddy.”
He whined again, and his ears slumped.
“Don’t be sad,” Lake told him. “I’m not upset with you. I’m only glad you bit me and not Evan.” He cocked his head as Oreo emitted small grumbles. “Ah. You’d never bite him? That’s reassuring. He doesn’t heal as fast as I do.”
It was cool as hell witnessing them speak in their special way. Lake really did understand him.
The leaves above us came alive, stirring with another breeze. Taps then sounded. One at first, then another, before it spread like a crescendo in the percussion section of an orchestra. The rain song.
“Evan?” Maddox called from the back door. “Are you out here?”
Oreo darted away from us, and the bushes rustled before he vanished from sight.
