Felix's face was slightly damp with sweat, but he was breathing. His chest rose and fell normally, steadily, reassuringly. The infected arm had been wrapped up to stop if from dripping onto the bedsheets. Matrí was laying on his legs, he looked up as we crowded around the young wolf's boy, but he didn't growl. Instead he whined, worried for Felix. Eryan scratched his ears gently, and he leaned into it. I took that as a good sign.

     His face was expressionless in his sleep. Now that he was still, I could see the scars on his face had healed over badly, the texture of them was ugly and scary at a first glance. Felix was none of those things.

     Emotions welled up. I tried my best not to cry, but he looked so helpless, so fragile. Peri rubbed against my cheek, offering his support.

     "There's no scent of her magic here, only yours," he promised.

     I nodded, and my hand reached for my neck, the obsidian pendant was still there.

     "We found him on the beach," Aurora started. "Unconscious, and hurt pretty badly. There was no one else around, it was too easy—"

     "—She wanted us to find him," I finished. "A lot happened that night, a lot of it was her plan. I didn't understand it, but hopefully, when he wakes up, we'll get some answers."

     "You're going to love these guys," I said quietly, a bitter sweetness in my gut wanted to smile. "I picked up a bunch of scruffy teens on the road Felix, you're right, I just attract them."

     He didn't answer, but I could have sworn I saw his mouth twitch.

     Eryan rested her head on Matrí's neck gently, he didn't protest, "do you want to tell stories about him until the moms get here?"

     "Stories?" I repeated.

     "Yeah, to feel better. Stories always make me feel better. Maybe it'll help him too."

     Aurora pulled up a few more chairs, "I think it's a wonderful idea. We can all tell stories, about Felix, about what happened, or just plain old epics."

     "Okay... yeah." I rubbed the onyx stone he gave me and rolled it back and forth on my palm.

     They sat down, Peri shared his food with Lucy and Lafayette, perched on Felix's headboard. Chubby managed to squeeze in between to beds and Aurora and Sky leaned against him. Even Carra was here, the snow leopard was curled up at Sky's feet. Oratio hopped out of Eryan's back, sniffed Matrí's nose and bandage around his foot. Matrí tilted his head inquisitively, then the fox curled up next to him. Matrí's eyes flicked back for a moment, then he licked Oratio's head once and laid his head down to sleep. Sky let Aurora braid bits of her messy short hair, Eryan and Ryan leaned on the bed. Jason relaxed in his chair. I realized and indescribable feeling of peace had settled over our small band of adventures.

     The battle was over, it was time to rest, heal, and be merry. It was time to tell stories of our past and sing of adventures to come, it was time to celebrate. It was time to enjoy being alive. I met Jason's gaze, a mutual understanding between the two of us. He nodded, and just like that, we were at peace.

     I sighed, "well I don't remember this, but I've got a bunch of stories about dumb stuff me and Felix did as kids. One of our favorite games was playing wolf, and Felix had a tendency to get way too into it. Lots of people git bit by this crazy little toddler. Once however, when another chief was visiting on poor terms due to territory violation..."

     It was time to be kids again.

     THE END OF BOOK TWO

______________
A/N:
Thank you so much for making it to the end of the book!

The third ones coming soon, most likely during the summer. I'll update this one when it's out.

In the mean time thank you for all the nice and funny comments.
What was your favorite part of the story?
Favorite character?
I'd love to know what you think.

Hope y'all stick around for the next one ;)
-jay