Chapter 4

"Koray—"

He goes ballistic. Jumping up and down. 

"Wow, that took forever," I say with an exhausted smile, shutting my laptop. 

"Koray, meaning ember moon," I repeat softly, watching the last light of the sun vanish behind the trees.

The wolf, or now Koray, is trotting in one spot as I say his name.

"You like hearing your name, huh? Koray?" I tease.

He hops with his front legs, and I laugh. At least I don’t have to keep searching. And bonus—he loves it.

"It’s way past dinner time. Let me get food for you boys," I mutter, dragging myself toward the cabin.

Inside, I pass the couch overflowing with pillows on my right and the large desk on my left. No coffee table—just a fluffy mat where Python likes to nap. I fill his bowl, grab some leftovers for myself, and run upstairs for a sweater. On my way back down, I skip past the wide window beside the fireplace and head out again.

I set Python’s bowl a safe distance from the cage, then slide Koray’s food closer.

Normally, I eat with Python at the barstools behind the desk. But tonight, I want to eat with Koray. It’s his first meal since I met him, and after everything—the shots, the painkillers, the trauma—he needs it.

While the team was transferring him, Eleanor helped me research feeding options. We settled on a mix of high-protein dog food and a two-kilo slab of raw Cervidae meat. Deer, basically. We’ll see how it goes. If he doesn’t eat tonight, maybe tomorrow.

I glance around, even though I know no one’s nearby.

Without stopping myself, I open the cage at a slow pace, keeping eye contact with Koray. I place the bowl of food in front of him and step back. He growls when I touch the cage's door.

"Okay, I won’t," I say, raising my hands. "Just don’t eat my cat."

He doesn’t respond—just starts eating.

"Okay, I won't. Just don't eat my cat," I give him a playful glare, but his only response is to start eating.

Python meows behind me. I pick up my wrap stuffed with leftover salad and sit nearby.

The three of us eat in silence.

After a few minutes, I stand, brushing crumbs off my sweater.

"I have to close it," I plead with Koray, crouching in front of him. "Just for the night."

He whines, but I slide the door shut and lock it.

"Goodnight, Koray," I whisper, reaching through the bars to pet his snout.

He whines again as I scoop up Python and head inside.

If he keeps that up, I might give in.

"Python, it's bedtime," I warn him as he skips through the house after I sat him down.

I reach my bed, then groan—forgot to change.

I’m in and out of the bathroom in seconds, breathless by the time I collapse onto the mattress.

I wake to howling.

It sounds close. 

I bolt outside, heart thudding.

To my relief, the rest of his pack isn’t here. Yet.

"Hey. What's happening?" I question Koray, hands on my hips.

He lowers his head, ears drooping. Guilty.

I narrow my eyes. He lowers his head even further.

Sighing, I turn back toward the cabin. "No attention for you," I toss over my shoulder as he whimpers again.

"Python, breakfast," I call, shaking his bowl and placing it in its usual spot. He’ll come when he’s ready.

The team’s supposed to arrive by noon, which leaves me with hours to kill—thanks to Koray’s early-morning concert. I glare in his general direction, even though I’m just glaring at air.

Another whimper.

For a giant predator, he’s surprisingly needy.

I pop toast into the toaster, slice bacon, and toss it into the pan with scrambled eggs. I add green peppers and spring onion from my garden, stirring as I prep the rest. Big breakfast for a big day.

Sitting down, I see Python jumping on the counter and start eating his food. He sits down to get comfortable and I stuff my face with eggs and toast.

I huff, grab my plate, and stomp outside. Python meows behind me, offended. He’ll survive.

"Morning, Koray," I say, plopping down in front of him.

"If it's food that you want, I can't help you. The team has to check you first," I mutter, chewing toast.

To my luck, Koray is now relaxed.

I finish eating and stand—only to hear him whine again.

"Give me some time to get ready. I’ll be back, okay?" My patience is thinning, but I’ve got an idea.

I rush my usual calm morning routine and return outside in under thirty minutes.

"See? I'm back," I say, smiling at Koray. "Python, come on."

"Don’t tell anyone," I whisper, crouching by the cage. "But you’re gonna help me in the garden today. Python will be your mentor."

Koray tilts his head.

I reach for the cage door and open it slowly, keeping eye contact.

I show Koray the treats I brought, and he follows me to the garden behind the cabin. I toss Python’s treats across an open patch of soil, and—like clockwork—he starts digging, turning the earth for me.

When I glance back, Koray’s already digging as well.

I laugh, sliding my hands into my gardening gloves and settling into a spot to plant new veggies.

Python digs exactly where I need my shovel, doing the work for me again. I smile as Koray mimics him, tail wagging, paws flying. He’s clearly enjoying himself.

Python, however, is starting to get grumpy. He’s realising I’ve tricked him into doing my job—again. It usually takes him a while to catch on.

In under three hours, everything’s planted. Two helping hands made the work fly by. Gardening is time-consuming, which is exactly why I have one. The perfect excuse to avoid people, if you ask me.

I check the time, and my eyes go wide.

If the vets show up early, they’ll find Koray out of his cage.

The wind whips my face as I rush to get him back inside. He resists, clearly not ready to give up his taste of freedom.

Eventually, I lock the cage.

Then Python slips through the bars.

I want to scream—but Koray just lets him curl up between his legs. He’s facing away from me, so I can’t see Python’s white body or cream tail from this angle. He'd better stay hidden, or he’s eating alone tonight.

That’s when I hear the cars.

Panic spikes.

Five vehicles park in a neat row. I step away from the cage, trying to look casual.

A few vets climb out, prepping for Koray’s checkup.

"Where’s Python?" Demetri asks the moment he jumps out of the Jeep.

"He’s somewhere. He’s a cat. Leave him be," I blurt, too fast.

"But—"

"He hates you," I cut him off, repeating yesterday’s line.

Demetri rolls his eyes—and proves my point. As he steps closer to the cage, Python sneaks away.

"I'll stay," I say firmly, leaving no room for discussion.

Demetri gives me a look as the others begin examining Koray.

"You sure? Not tired of babysitting him?" he finishes off with the same concerned look from yesterday.

Koray growls at Demetri, and I smile to calm him down.

"No. It was fun, honestly."

"No, it was fun, to be honest," Demetri's concern grows at my response.

Demetri’s concern deepens. "What did you do?" He takes a step back.

"Nothing," I say breezily. "Just talked through some pent-up emotions. Animals are really good listeners."

My tone is casual. And it seems to work.

He doesn’t notice I'm lying through my teeth.