Orion petted my shoulder for a second and I glanced at him. “You did good, mutt,” he said quietly, and I swear he had only said it because I wasn’t able to reply. But I could damn well lick his face. I lunged for the lick, but he darted away with a burst of speed, tossing a knowing grin back at me before racing into battle. And I was right there at his back, ready to tear our foes apart.

