We stroll in silence for a little bit, passing through the village until we hit a forest trail.
“You know, it’s pretty amazing what you’re doing,” Mia says, glancing at me briefly before turning back to the path. “Coming out here to try and help save your pack.”
I feel like she’s hinting at something, like she already knows the conversation we’re about to have.
“Things at home must be pretty messed up too,” she continues. “I feel for Jasper. We’ve known each other our whole lives and we’ve seen a lot of shit, but something like this wasn’t even on our radar. If I was in the same situation I don’t know if I could do what he’s doing. I don’t know if I could step up like that.”
I shoot her a smile. “I bet you could.”
She shrugs and walks on. Overhead the sun is starting to shine more intensely through the canopy of leaves, the birds sing as we pass.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” I say.
Mia sighs.
“I know what you’re going to ask,” she says.
“You do?”
“I know my father pretty well. He’s refusing to back you up, right?”
“Something like that.”
“Because of me. Because I left.”
She looks at me with this sheepish sort of expression and I nod to confirm her suspicions.
Movement up ahead catches my attention. There’s a clearing and Olivia is using a rake to remove leaves and fallen twigs from a spot in the middle. Nearby is a pile of familiar accoutrements.The tools that help me access the Lunar Plane. Metal bowls, crystals, a platter, incense, and a pouch probably full of wolf teeth.
Mia notices how close we are to the clearing as well and stops, I guess she doesn’t want Olivia to hear what she’s going to say next.
“I wish I could go back,” she says. “But I can’t. Not without her and, well, she feels quite strongly about not running back to a pack that won’t accept us and our relationship.”
“Even if it could stop a war?”
I don’t mean to be so direct or curt. And I especially don’t mean to put pressure on Mia when I know the choices she’s made have to have been some of the toughest of her life.
Mia doesn’t look hurt or offended though, simply resigned.
“My father is the one who could stop this war. I don’t see why I should be responsible for his decisions.”
My shoulders fall.
“I’m sorry, Max. But my place is with Olivia. Until she’s ready to go back, this is where we’ll be. I wish it were less complicated, but that’s just how it’s going to be.”
She turns and heads toward the clearing. I wait a beat then follow.
Olivia looks up as we approach.
“I’ve got one more trip to make,” Mia says after dropping her cargo. “Back in a second.”
She plants a kiss on Olivia’s cheek and passes me, shooting me an apologetic look and heading back into the forest.
“You try and convince her to go back?” Olivia asks, not looking up as she continues to set up the prayer circle. The crystals are in place at four points around where I’ll sit, incense is already burning. Olivia takes the bowls and sets them up in a crescent by a fallen log.
“Not very successfully,” I say.
“I know she wants to,” Olivia says.
