My heart leapt into my throat as I stood and spun to look up the way I’d come with Faris. I expected to see a dozen bunneks coming to tear me apart, but I was greeted by the sight of Kaia making a beeline right for me. Her lips were pulled back into what I used to mistake for a snarl until I got to know her. She looked scary, but at heart, she was a big old softy.
When she reached me, she pounced, knocking me back down to the bench. Her huge paws rested on my shoulders, and she growled playfully before she rubbed her head against mine. I laughed and then sputtered when I got a mouthful of lamal hair.
“Kaia, down.” I pushed her away, and she fell back to all fours. Then she jumped up beside me on the bench where she seemed to notice the three females for the first time. She clearly didn’t
