We walked in easy silence for a while, the forest dappled in golden sunlight. The air smelled like moss and promise. There was no destination—not yet—only the shared sense that we were walking forward now. Together.
“Your arm okay?” I asked after a bit, glancing at the bandage.
“Yeah. Hurts less.”
“Good.”
He raised a brow at me. “Look at you, caring.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“You say that, but you look back to check if I’m keeping up every three minutes.”
I rolled my eyes, but I didn’t deny it.
He bumped my shoulder lightly. “You’re cute when you’re pretending not to care.”
“I’m always cute.”
He snorted. “Alright, now that’s a stretch.”
I gasped. “I forgave you one time and this is how you repay me?”
“You forgave me?” He scowled dramatically. "Oh no, little wolf, I'm the one wh
