(Mirael's Pov)
I ruffel his fur, my fingers sinking into the thick, familiar warmth of his neck. He keeps snuggling his big, heavy head against me, pushing so hard I can feel the thump-thump-thump of his heart. "I missed you, Koda..."
Woof! Woof!
He sounds so happy. So real. But the air around us feels thick, like the forest is watching, waiting for me to stay here forever.
"Koda... I'm so sorry," I whisper, my voice breaking. "You died to protect me. It was my fault."
He doesn't growl or look sad. He just licks my cheeks, his tongue rough and warm, just like how he used to when I was five years old and crying in the dark. He's telling me it's okay. He's telling me he'd do it again.
