“No,” I agreed again. “It doesn’t.”
Nova’s voice joined us, soft but clear. “Change is rarely instant. And it’s often uncomfortable. As you said, we can’t ask for change and then not support it as it’s happening. It takes time and many first steps and missteps.”
“That’s an understatement,” I muttered, chuckling out of nervousness.
“It is observant,” she corrected.
Keegan’s tone shifted slightly. “The shifters in the Wilds are watching him.”
“I know. It makes sense. He’s their new alpha.”
“They’re watching you too.” Keegan studied me. “Some of them are disturbed. I wouldn’t say they’re disloyal. Just… measuring.”
I heard another orc horn in the distance, but it didn’t worry me as before.
“Caleb is caught between worlds,” Nova said, and Keegan nodded.
“I worry if something fractures,” he continued, “he’ll be pulled.”
“Possibly,” Nova said simply.
That was the weight of it.
“I don’t trust him blindly,” I admitted. “But I believe he wants to do better.”
I thought of the midlife students filling the halls, the goblins pitching in to lend us a hand, the orcs' willingness to try our idea, and all of that mattered. Stonewick was built on second chances. We didn’t wither just because of some bad decisions or wrong turns.
“Caleb understands now what happened to my father,” I continued. “He sees it differently. He’s said as much.”
“Words are easy,” Keegan said.
“His actions haven’t been,” I countered gently. “He didn’t have to bring his pack to help with the orcs.”
That earned the faintest curve at the corner of Keegan’s mouth.
“When do you ever stop seeing the good in people?” he teased.
I laughed, the sound comforting me. In times like this, I needed it.
“It’s a defect. Sue me. But it’s not like I trust him with my life yet,” I said plainly. “I just respect his shift in morals.”
And that felt truer than most things I could come up with to say.
Nova inclined her head. “Transformation is rarely linear. It’s rare that you recognize that.”
“Life has taught me I don’t have much choice in the matter. Perfection doesn’t exist.” I shrugged as Ardetia turned and winked.
“Especially when it has to do with shifters,” she teased.
“So true.” I grinned and put the back of my hand to my forehead in a tease.
Keegan laughed. “Hey, now. Some of us are on the verge of perfection.”
We walked in silence again for a few minutes.
My thoughts drifted to Gideon at the Luminary.
He was so certain and composed in his choices and put his life on the line. He drew a line in the sand that screamed to the Priestess, I’m no longer yours.
