EPILOGUE
JULIET
When Zoey said double date,I imagined the four of us shooting pool at The Rabbit Hole or maybe going on a hike together.
Not driving a town over to visit an animal rescue. Crossing the territory line was surprisingly easy. No panic at being away from my new home.
Knowing Cory doesn’t have his memories of me anymore is a world-altering relief. As is having a badass witch at my back and a powerful alpha at my side.
“You told me Roderick fixed your fence,” Zoey explains as she slips a crocheted sweater onto an old Jack Russell. “And that you always wanted a dog. I thought you might want to feel some pups out.”
“You mean like Warner is?” I point toward the large window, where we can see her partner full-on wrestling with a pit bull. The exchange is all friendly play, but the werewolf is half covered in mud.
Zoey snorts. “Maybe look at the dogs at your energy level.” She offers me a handful of bone-shaped biscuits. “Go. Mingle.”
I navigate down a line of kennels, slipping treats through the chain-link and trying not to fall in love with each set of big brown eyes I meet. Every pup wags their tail and yaps at me, and I want to give them all a home.
But I don’t know how my werewolf would feel about adopting one dog, much less a whole pack.
Speaking of, I find Roderick in the far corner, a squirming bundle cradled in his arms.
“What do you have there?” I ask, sidling up to him.
Roderick glances my way, then back to the creature he holds. If I had to ascribe it a breed, I would say the animal is a purebred matted mud monster.
Soon to be added to the American Kennel Club, I’m sure.
“My wolf wants this one,” he mumbles.
I laugh at the perturbed tone. “Oh, he does, does he?”
Roderick tried to describe the connection he had with his more beastly side. How he and the animal almost converse. And how the wolf wanted me within seconds of meeting me.
Gotta say, I like his other half more and more every day.
And obviously, the wolf has good taste. Still, I can’t help teasing him.
“I thought if you wanted a dog, you’d opt for something bigger. Like a German shepherd.”
The pup in his arms can’t weigh more than twenty-five pounds soaking wet.
His brows dip. “Why would I want that?I’ma big dog.”
I chuckle. The little mud muppet snuggles further into Roderick’s chest, as if it senses a kindred canine. I can’t even pretend to hold out when faced with such an adorable sight. The main thing that bums me out is, clearly, our dog is going to love Roderick more.
Unacceptable. Once we take the furball home, I’ll make it my mission to find out what bribes work best. Treats? Squeaky toys? Car rides and chicken nuggets in the drive-through?
Whatever it is, the doggo will get a daily dose until it loves Mommy way more than Daddy.
“Okay,” I whisper, “I approve.”
With careful movements, I hold my fingers out for the quivering mess to sniff. Watery brown eyes examine the offering, and then a tentative lick breaks my heart and mends it back together.
Yeah. This is our dog.
“You sure?” Even though Roderick asks, I’m guessing an employee would have to pry the puppy out of his reluctant hold.
When Roderick and his wolf both decide they want something, there’s no reversing the decision.
