"A mission," I cut in. "One where I brought everyone back alive."
The others shifted uncomfortably.
"But that doesn't change the fact…."
"That I don't have a wolf?" I finished for him.
"Yes."
I tilted my head to the side a little.
Studying him.
"You think that makes me weak?"
"I think it limits your abilities."
He was honest again.
I respected that.
Even if I didn't agree with his backward views.
"Then let me ask you something," I said.
He waited silently for me to speak.
"When the rogues attacked… did your wolf save you?"
There was a momentary pause before he came back to his senses.
"What?"
"Did your wolf make your decisions for you?" I continued. "Did it lead the group? Did it protect the injured?"
"No," I said softly. "You did."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"That's not the same thing."
"No," I agreed. "It's not."
I stepped closer without any aggression.
"Because your wolf is a part of you," I said. "Not a replacement."
His eyes flickered.
