Page 119 of Werewolves and Witches AU

His hands stroke through my hair, carding the longer strands away from my face. The more he stays close, touches me, the more I settle. He isn’t leaving me. I’m not being abandoned. He’s choosing me—even above his own military structure and commanding officers.

The pots of neeps and tatties bubble over and hiss on contact with the stove, yet still Rowan doesn’t leave me. Not even for food.

“Ye know what this is, don’t ye?” he asks, as more water bubbles and hisses. “This is General Romulus shitting himself, because now that Time is back, and with what Janus did to Sarah and the Lost Colony being public knowledge, what he did to Remus is going to be exposed. It’s a matter of time. He’s afraid, Pup.”

My lips part to make an “O” shape. Makes sense. “That’s why you said I was friends with Señora Tiempo. To make me less of a Target. Clever.”

“It’s also the truth. Yer untouchable, Milo. The sooner they realise that and work with ye the better. Ye hold all the power here.”

The pots bubble over again, and I nod. I’m okay. He smiles, gives me another lingering kiss, exhales, and then turns down the heat. “Normally, I like to do this with haggis, but clearly that was a stretch for Guardian to source. Ye okay with pork steaks?”

“Haggis? Isn’t that the—” But I don’t get to finish my question and learn if that is the foodstuff I fear it is, because Rowan’s phone vibrates against the counter beside me. I stare at it like I can hex it just by thinking about it.

“Ranger,” my mate answers abruptly.

“Ranger…” begins the Admiral, his tone entirely different than it was just a few minutes prior.

I stick my tongue out at the phone, and Rowan smirks before stepping back between my legs and placing a comforting hand on my thigh.

“I owe your new mate an apology. I hadn’t briefed myself thoroughly before I called you, and I wasn’t aware he is such a formidable and powerful warlock.”

I scoff.

“Milo Tobbit, you’ve hidden yourself well. Your ancestral name is Milus, means warrior, especially one who operates with strength and valour. And of the Fidelis Family Line, too—faith and loyalty. An exceptional combination that would indeed determine you to have the qualities we look for in a Dog of War.”

Rowan laughs, and I press my fingers over his lips to shush him. This is now highly entertaining, and I want to hear what else the Admiral might come out with. I swing my feet where they hang.

“It would also appear that your connections with the Office of Time are indeed valuable to a longer term relationship as we navigate this new era. The department of Transitions has a new head in Ms Anna Perenna, as well as a new PA. A witch by the name of Ms Sarah Blackwood. As a whole, the department have openly stated they will only deal with you moving forward.”

Rowan kisses my fingertips. “Safe,” he whispers.

“Therefore,” continues Admiral Guerrieri. “In light of Guardian’s recent departure, the General’s Office are delighted to invite you to complete a formal assessment to join the Dogs of War under the leadership of your mate, Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Rangecroft.”

“Told ye,” my mate says smugly.

“Ranger, congratulations on your mating. Our Office grants you both two weeks leave to consolidate your bond before you need to report to General Headquarters.”

“Are we done now, Admiral? Because with all due respect to the chain of command, we completed the mission, as I said, and I have other priorities right now.”

“Yes, Ranger, of course. Congratulations again, and we’ll see you in two weeks.”

Rowan ends the call.

“I don’t like him,” I pout.

Rowan’s lupine features reduce, and soft hands with blunt nails brush over my mate mark. “No one does, Pup. So ye’ll fit in just fine.”

“So… I’m a Dog now?”

“Ye always were a Dog, Milo. Now ye just get a shiny new badge that proves it.”

Smiling wide at the idea of being a Dog, part of a pack—of a family—I tip my head back and howl. Loudly.

Epilogue

Milo

The open hearth in the Rangecroft Estate’s drawing room crackles and pops as the flames devour another log. I poke it with the poking stick Mum showed me how to use.