Chapter 4

"Koray-" before I can finish the wolf jumps up.

"Wow, that took forever," my smile shows my exhaustion as I shut my laptop closed.

"Koray, meaning ember moon," I throw another tired smile, noticing the sun has completely set.

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

"You like me saying your name? Huh, Koray?" he hops with his front legs and I'm glad I don't have to search for longer. It's also a bonus he loves the name.

"It's long past dinner time, so I'll get the food for you boys," I drag myself towards the box-like cabin and hobble through the entrance.

Walking straight towards the kitchen, I pass the couch with countless pillows on my right and the large desk on my left. As I don't like coffee tables, there lies a fluffy mat. I collect Python's food and fill his bowl, picking it up so he can join dinner, and grab myself some leftovers. I run upstairs to my bedroom hanging over the kitchen and grab a sweater before getting all the food. I stroll past the large window beside the fireplace that is across from the couch and skip out of the cabin to place Python's food a good distance from the cage. Then, I slide Koray's food closer.

I usually eat with my cat on the bar stools behind the desk, but now I want to eat with Koray since it's his first time eating since I've seen him. That hunger mixing with the shots and pain relievers should be sorted out before he gets sick. Even though I don't know when the last time he ate was, he should eat after the injections wear off to gain energy again.

While everyone transferred Koray, I asked Eleanor to help me research how we can feed him. Eventually, we got a mixture of some appropriate dog food to start his meal and then a two-kilo raw piece of Cervidae meat, like a deer. We'll see how it goes and if he wants to eat the next day or later with a big meal.

I look around me, even though I know no other human is lurking around.

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

Python meows behind me and I pick up the leftovers, some salad I stuffed in a wrap.

The three of us eat in silence for a few minutes.

I stand up to finish off before bed.

"I have to close it," I plead with Koray, knowing I can't just leave him like this through the whole night.

I close the cage and crouch down in front of him.

"Goodnight, Koray," I whisper to him as I pet his snout that is sticking out through the bars.

I try ignoring the whining as I pick Python up and walk inside my house.

Gosh, if he keeps at it, I might give in.

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

I make my way to my bed, then remember I probably should change into pyjamas.

I'm in and out of the bathroom in a few seconds, but also out of breath when I reach my bed again.

Waking up the next morning, I hear howling and I charge outside.

To my relief, the rest of his pack isn't here, well, yet.

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

He looks down with a guilty look and I know something's up. I shoot him a stern look, and he lowers his head even further. Sighing, I turn around for breakfast.

"No attention for you," I throw over my shoulder when I hear Koray whimpering.

"Python, breakfast," I shake his bowl with food and place it back in its usual spot. He'll come when he wants.

The vets, or at least the team, should be here by noon, meaning I have a lot of hours for nothing, since I was woken up early. I send a glare in the direction of Koray at the thought, even though I'm glaring at pure air at the moment.

I hear another soft whimper. For a pretty big predator, he sure is whiny.

I pop toast in the toaster, slice bacon and add it to the scrambled eggs. Big breakfast for a big day. I mix a few green peppers and spring onions from my vegetable garden in a pan and work on other ingredients for breakfast at the same time.

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

I hear more whimpering from outside. Huffing, I stomp outside with my plate full of food in my hands. Python meows because I left, but I don't care, he can be lonely for two seconds. It won't kill him, hopefully.

"Morning, Koray," I huff again and plop myself in front of him.

"If it's food that you want, I can't help you. The others will have to check on you first," I stop talking and continue eating.

To my luck, Koray is now relaxed.

I finish my breakfast and stand, but groan when I hear Koray whining again.

"Give me some time to get ready. I'll be back, okay?" My patience is running low with him, but I have an idea.

I rush my usual calm morning routine, and I'm back outside in less than half an hour.

"See? I'm back," I throw the wolf a smile and call Python to join.

"Don't tell anyone, but you're gonna help me in the garden. Python will be your mentor," I inform him, and open the cage at a slow pace.

I show him the treats I brought with me and he follows me to my garden at the back of the cabin. I throw Python's treats across an open patch of ground and he starts digging, turning the soil for me.

As I turn around for Koray, I see he has already started digging and I laugh. I slide my hands into my gardening gloves and sit down on a spot to plant some new veggies.

Python digs everywhere where I want to use my small shovel, doing the work for me again. I smile as Koray is still following Python's movements. I laugh while doing the work, and it looks like Koray is enjoying digging in the soil. Python, however, is starting to get grumpy, realising I'm using him to do my job. I used him a few times before, and after a while he would realise what was happening.

It took me under three hours to plant everything with two helping hands. Yes, managing a garden is time-consuming, that's why I have one, the perfect excuse to avoid people if you ask me.

I look at the time and my eyes grow wide. If the vets decided to arrive a bit early, they would catch Koray out of his cage.

The wind whips the air in my face as I try to rush Koray into the cage. He is very unwilling after having his small taste of freedom for three hours.

After a while, I lock the cage.

Python slips through the bars and I want to scream. Before I can though, Koray lets Python lie down between his legs. Koray is facing away from me, so I can't see Python's white body or cream tail from this distance. He better keep himself hidden, or he will eat alone again.

That's when I hear the cars and I panic. If they find my cat there, I don't know what will happen to the three of us.

Five cars park in a neat row and I step away from the cage, making it seem I'm not as close to Koray as I should be.

A few vets climb out of the cars and get ready for Koray.

"Where's Python?" is the first thing Demetri asks me when he jumps out of the jeep.

"He's somewhere. He's a cat. Leave him be," I blurt out my excuse.

"But-" I cut him off.

"He hates you," I repeat the phrase to him from yesterday.

He rolls his eyes and actually proves my point when he steps closer to the cage, and Python sneaks away.

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

Demetri looks at me while the others start analysing Koray.

"You sure? You aren't 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, to be honest," Demetri's concern grows at my response.

"What did you do?" He takes a step back.

"Nothing. Just talking about some pent-up emotions," I keep my tone casual and it seems to work.

He isn't noticing I'm lying through my teeth.