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“I’ with you,” Cookie said firmly

“No” She said it with all the finality she couldYou do what I say”

“I ain’t leaving you to those dogs”

Lana said, “The coyotes won’t be the proble you to Either the explosion happens or it doesn’t Either way, if I don’t coet to Sam Give him the letter”

“I want to take care of you, Healer Like you took care of me”

“I know, Cookie,” Lana said “But this is how you do it Okay? Sa we did He’s a suy, he’ll understand And tell him not to blaured out some other way to do it if Quinn and Albert hadn’t helped”

“Healer…”

Lana put her hand on Cookie’s beefy arm “Do what I ask, Cookie”

Cookie hung his head He eeping openly, unashamed “Okay, Healer”

“Lana,” she corrected hiently “My name is Lana That’s what my friends call me”

She knelt down and ruffled Patrick’s fur the way he liked “Love you, boy,” she whispered She hugged him close and he whiht back”

Quickly, before she could lose her resolve, she cliine and nodded to Cookie

Cookie swung open the creaking door of the warehouse

The waiting coyotes got to their feet Pack Leader a The fur of one shoulder was soggy with blood

“So, I didn’t kill you,” Lana whispered “Well, the day is young”