Nathan drew Harper close as they both knelt beside Nono, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. Nono's tail wagged madly as he tried to lick both their faces at once.
The mother hellhound lowered her enormous head, and she nuzzled first Harper, then Nathan. Her touch left faint traces of warmth on their skin, but no burns.
"She wants you to know how grateful she is," Kayja translated, her whirling eyes softening. "You gave her pup safety and love when he needed it most."
Beth reluctantly let go of Tyr's hand to give Nono one last hug. The pup's whole body wriggled with excitement as he pressed against her, nearly knocking her over in his enthusiasm. Tyr caught her shoulder to steady her, then reached down to ruffle the pup's fur.
"Goodbye, little one," Beth whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
The mother hellhound touched her nose to Nono's head, and both their flames began to pulse in sync. The red glow intensified, building to a brilliant crimson that lit up the night sky. In a rush of heat and light, both hellhounds vanished, leaving only scorched pawprints in the grass as evidence they had ever been there.
Kayja's form shimmered, the mottled red patterns in her skin writhing like living shadows. "Well, my work here is done." Her whirling eyes shifted from stormy blue back to their usual green as she faded from sight, leaving only a trace of demonic energy crackling in the air.
Remi's dark eyes sparkled with their usual mischief as he swept them an elaborate courtly bow, complete with flourishing hand gestures. "Ladies, gentlemen - it's been a pleasure. Try not to acquire any more supernatural pets while I'm gone." He winked, his grin widening. "But if you do, call me right away!"
With a shimmer of Djinn magic, he vanished.
The sudden silence felt heavy after all the excitement. Beth's shoulders slumped slightly as she stared at the scorched pawprints in the grass. Harper knelt beside the marks, herfingers hovering just above the singed grass but not quite touching.
"I'm going to miss that goofball," Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion, his arm tightening around Harper's shoulders.
Tyr understood completely. Despite only having known Nono for a short time, the hellhound pup had carved out his own special place in their lives with his enthusiastic affection and playful nature.
"At least we know he's safe now," Beth said, leaning against Tyr's side. "And back where he belongs, with his mother."
Harper nodded, rising to her feet. "That's what matters most."
Tyr squeezed Beth's hand gently. "We should let them get some rest. It's been quite an evening."
"Of course." Beth hugged Harper, who still looked a bit shaken. "Call if you need anything, okay?"
Nathan ran his hand through his already tousled hair. "Thanks for coming over so quickly. Both of you."
"Anytime," Tyr assured him. He meant it - the music teacher and the fox shifter had become good friends over the past months.
Harper managed a small smile. "Drive safely."
Beth slipped her hand into Tyr's as they walked back to his motorcycle. The night air carried a hint of autumn crispness, and the stars twinkled overhead through breaks in the clouds. Tyr helped Beth with her helmet before swinging his leg over the bike.
She settled behind him, her arms wrapping securely around his waist. The familiar warmth of her body pressed against his back centered him, helping push aside the lingering tension from the evening's events.
The motorcycle's engine purred to life. As they pulled out of the driveway, Tyr caught one last glimpse of Nathan and Harperstanding in their doorway, arms around each other as they watched their unexpected foster pet's scorched pawprints slowly fade from their lawn.
Chapter 21
Beth hummed softly as she stacked bags of prescription diet food on the metal shelving unit. The last light of day cast purple shadows through the lobby windows, and peaceful quiet had settled over the clinic, broken only by Tamera's rustling papers at reception.
"Almost done with those notes, Liam?" Tamera called over her shoulder.
"Just finishing up Mrs. Harrison's chart," Liam's voice drifted from his office. "That cat of hers is going to need dental work soon."
Beth shifted another bag of kidney diet onto the shelf, mentally calculating how many more they'd need to order. The familiar routine of end-of-day tasks felt comforting after the chaos of their busy afternoon.
Whisper's ears pricked in alert just as the front door burst open with such force it slammed against the wall. The sharp scent of adrenaline and lethal focus flooded Beth's shifter senses as she dropped the bag of food, whirling to face the entrance. Dimitri stood in the doorway, his caramel features stark in the fading light, every line of his body radiating predatory intensity.
"Get to an inner room. Now." His voice cracked with command. "We're about to be under attack."
Cold dread punched through Beth's chest. Inside her, Whisper came alert, a warning growl rumbling through her mind. "What-"
