“As do I.” Lake’s leg pressed to mine; a touch that ignited a tender glow in his purple eyes. “I’ll still be with you though. Watching from a distance.”
“It’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to watch me from a distance.” My throat clogged. “Why are demi-wolves treated like criminals? You’ve done nothing wrong and should be allowed to walk around as free as the rest of us.”
“The conflict goes back many years,” he said. “My father told me the story once. Do you wish to hear it?”
I nodded.
“Very well. The story goes… a demi-wolf named Varys started an uprising. He and his followers turned their backs on the kingdom to ally with the demon lord. Varys was the king’s advisor.”
A vague memory resurfaced. Sawyer had told me King Eidolon’s advisor betrayed him to ally with Onyx.
“Why did he betray the king?”
“I asked my father that very question.” Lake picked at his sandwich. “One day, we were allowed to go into town. And the next, we weren’t. I was a pup at the time. Just celebrated my fifth name day. I didn’t understand.”
“What did he say?” I asked.
“People claim Varys was a traitor from the very beginning. However, my father felt differently. He said Varys was devoted to the royal family and wouldn’t have turned his back on them unless something forced his hand.”
“Like what?”
Lake shrugged. “The reason is of little consequence now. Many demi-wolves followed Varys and took refuge in the dark wood. The demon lord welcomed them with open arms, which only supported the claims of Varys’ deception. Ever since then, we wolves have been associated with demons. Or more so, as their ally. Any found within the kingdom are accused of being Onyx’s spies.”
“If the demi-wolves were cast out, why did your dad stay?”
“Bremloc was his home. It’s where he met and fell in love with my mother.”
“Your mom?” I asked around a mouthful. “You haven’t mentioned her before.”
“Because I never knew her,” he said softly. “Sickness took her when I was very young.”
I paused in my chewing. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s hard to mourn someone you never knew.” A faraway look touched his eyes. “After the uprising, my father said the tension would eventually pass. That one day, we’d finally be able to walk among the people, feeling the sun on our skin. To live freely.” His ears drooped. “I’m still waiting for that day.”
My heart hurt. Lake had the most beautiful soul. He believed all living things had value and should be respected. He deserved that too. Deserved more than a life in the shadows, hidden from the world.
We continued eating in silence. After, Lake cleared our plates and stepped over to the sink. His tail drooped just like his ears. He was still lost in a memory, dreaming of that future his dad had mentioned.
I padded over and hugged his waist. “Wanna help me make cookies?”
He dropped a plate into the soapy water and faced me, brow furrowed. “You already broke Maddox’s rule by sweeping and mopping the floors. You’re supposed to be resting today.”
“This is how I rest. Making cookies is relaxing. Besides.” I rubbed his chest. “If you help me, I’m compromising. Half resting. So our grumpy captain can’t gripe at me for it.”
That amused him.
Whipping up chocolate chip cookie dough didn’t take long at all. My recipe was delicious but super simple, just a quick mix, form into balls, and toss in the oven. Muffins were left over from breakfast, so I would pack them too, along with the few cookies that hadn’t sold yesterday. We’d just pulled the platter out and set it on the counter to cool when an adorable raspy voice came from the archway.
“What’s for breakfast?” Rowan asked with a yawn, stepping into the kitchen.
“It’s almost lunch now, sleepyhead.” I approached him. “Go sit. I’ll make you something to eat.”
“One of those egg things with peppers?”
I grinned. “Yes. I’ll make you an omelet.”
He and Lake were a lot more alike than they cared to admit. That was our wolf’s favorite food. His fluffy tail always wagged at the mention of them.
