Riff snorted, and Char picked up a stapler, which he chucked at Riff’s head. Riff caught it easily, sticking his tongue out at Char, who scoffed, albeit his lips curled into a grin. I flinched when Marcus laughingly scolded them for throwing equipment around. My eyes met his, and he smiled tenderly, asking me how I felt. Shrugging, I replied that I was more at peace, mostly. I was still uneasy about the expensive gifts, and what I saw as his betrayal.
Chuckling, Marcus murmured, “you’re worth far more than those gifts multiplied thousands of times. But I understand where you’re coming from, having worn shoes similar to yours. And I can never apologize enough for what I put you through today, and everything that comes of it. But I am not sorry for doing what I must to keep you healthy. Still, I’m sorry for doing it so poorly, but I kind of panicked. A piss poor excuse, but the truth all the same. Now, let’s get you to Ava so she can try to entice you to eat dinner. Before we go, however, do you want to go to school tomorrow?”
The blood left my head in a rush, and Marcus steered me towards the bathroom, pulling my headphones off after giving me a gentle push. I made it just in time, hurling everything I ate earlier. After rinsing my mouth, I stumbled out of the door, keeping my eyes on the floor in shame. Marcus tutted, pulling me close for a warm hug that helped settle my jumbled emotions.
Moments later, I stood in front of Ava, who clucked her tongue and ushered me into a chair. She set a small bowl of broth in front of me, and I frowned at it. I wanted it, but I also didn’t. “If you want to visit your wolf friend in the woods tonight, you must eat,” Marcus ordered nonchalantly, shrugging when I glanced at him sharply. “If I order Char and Riff to keep you inside with the window locked, they will. I’m not trying to punish you, Angel, but you need to eat. Now, I’m not saying you must eat all of it, but some of it, yes.”
My shoulders slowly relaxed while tears burned my eyes, and when he sat beside me, I gave him a wobbly smile. The rest of them devoured what looked like ribs while I slowly ate my broth. About halfway through it, my hand shook when I raised the spoon, so I set it down with a sigh. I doubt I could eat anymore. Marcus kissed my forehead, praising how much I ate, and my soul relaxed while I sighed my relief. After Riff and Char returned from school, Ava insisted on giving me a hug goodnight, not that I argued. Marcus kissed my forehead before he left, making the boys promise to text him once I was safely in bed. I gave him another hug, and he chuckled, ruffling my hair with a grin before returning to his wife.
Char and Riff walked beside me until my rock came into view in the clearing, then they stopped, leaning against the trees at the entrance of the path. Moments after I sat, my sketchbook out and headphones on, a loud howl cut through my music. Pulling my headphones off, I smiled at Ky when he came racing into the clearing with an excited bark. I laughed when he licked my face while I tried to keep from getting trampled by the overexcited wolf. Whining when Riff told him to calm down, I chuckled at the pouting wolf. He appeared upset to see them, and I shrugged. “Marcus says I’m not allowed to be alone anymore,” I mumbled, and Ky tilted his head from one side to the other. Nodding after a moment, he barked once, sat, and thumped his tail on the ground. “I take it you agree?” I asked dryly, rolling my eyes, albeit I smiled. It was nice to feel cared for, even if it was also kind of frustrating.
Yawning, I eyed the sketch of Riff I worked on. He was leaning against a tree with a soft expression while keeping watch, and I could almost feel his gentle strength. Ky raised his head from my lap, and I stroked his fur with a soft smile. He stood, yawning with a soft whine when I got up. Stretching, I turned my headphones off before kissing Ky’s nose and walking towards Char, who straightened as did Riff. Ky whined louder and followed me with a whimper. Sighing, I looked from him to the boys, who frowned. “He followed me home, can I keep him?” I asked in a voice shaking from laughter, and they rolled their eyes while grinning.
Jerking his head, Riff started along the trail, and Ky barked once, racing along after him for a moment before barreling back to me and dancing excitedly. “All right, all right, I’m coming,” I laughed, and he wagged his tail. Once we returned to my apartment, Ky ran in to lie at the foot of my bed. Rolling my eyes, I climbed in, glancing at the boys afterward. “I sleep better with you guys if you don’t mind.” Startled, I stared at them when they burst out laughing. Grinning, they climbed in, kissed my forehead, and bid me goodnight. With warm cheeks, I
