“I haven’t said anything yet.”
“You’re holding the mop.”
“Observant.”
Robin slunk away from us. “I’ll go… weed.” He jogged toward the flowerbeds.
I swore Acorn snickered, but he wouldn’t. He was my loyal companion—most of the time.
I adjusted my grip on the mop handle. “We’re traveling to the northern boundary. The mop is the most efficient method of transport for two people, our supplies, and a squirrel.”
“We’re not taking the mop.”
“Why not?”
“Because the last time you rode that thing, a bear nearly killed you.”
“The bear showed up after I’d already landed. The mop’s record remains clean.”
His jaw worked. “Victoria?—”
“The mop eliminated variables on the last trip. It’s already enchanted. We didn’t die.” I ticked each point off on my fingers. “Those are facts, not opinions.”
“The bear is also a fact.”
“You showed up in time to handle it, which means the mop delivered me to the location safely and according to plan.” I paused. “If anything, the mop’s efficiency allowed you to arrive back here in a timely manner. You were then able to do all your alpha stuff right away rather than hours later or after needing to rest.”
“It would not have taken my wolf hours to travel back here.”
“Yet it took your wolf hours to travel north.”
Acorn sat on the ground nearby, a chunk of fruit clutched in his paws, watching us with the air of someone enjoying a performance.
“You’re twisting logic,” Feral said.
“I’m applying logic correctly. You’re resisting because of pride.”
“I’m resisting because that thing nearly slammed us into a tree on our way back here.”
“I’ve improved the stabilization enchantment since then.”
His eyes narrowed. “When?”
“Three nights ago. The lateral drift issue has been corrected.” I lifted an eyebrow his way.
He did the same while chewing his fruit, offering no assistance.
“Fine,” I said, turning back to Feral. “I’ll ride on you in wolf form. But I’m bringing the mop.”
“Why?”
“Backup transportation.”
“We don’t need backup transportation.”
“I didn’t need it last time either, but I had it. Which means when the bear appeared, I had options.”
“You didn’t use the mop to escape the bear.”
