Chapter 6

“You're... you're amazing. Don't think that way about yourself.

And if anyone dares say one bad thing about you, I'll go knock their teeth out myself."

A flicker of hope flashed through his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly.

In the next second, he lowered his head again, shrinking back into himself.

"Are you lying to me too?"

"I'm sorry. I have nothing right now. I can't repay you.

But I'll try. I really will."

His words were so small, so worn down.

And somehow, they made the sadness around him feel even heavier.

I had no idea what the divine wolf could have gone through to become this insecure.

And the moment I chose him, I meant to see it through.

So I placed a hand on his back and gently patted him.

"Hey. Look at me — as long as I'm alive, this is your home. You hear me?"

No one had ever said words like that to him before.

He hesitated for a long moment, then finally chose to believe me.

Flustered, he carefully worked a wolf-fang necklace free from around his neck

and pressed it into my hand.

It had been stained dark — worn through with old blood.

He rushed to explain, almost afraid I'd turn it down.

"This is the only valuable thing I have left.

Take it. And don't worry—one day, I'll give you the very best of everything."

The certainty in his voice made something in my chest go warm.

Just then, a rapid knock came from outside the door.

"Ava, are you in there? I need to talk to you!"

Seraphina.