Page 106 of Bookish Girl’s Emergency Contact Is a Lycan King

“I know.”

“He has been warned. Repeatedly. In writing.”

“I know.”

“The sign says ‘Do Not Touch The Orange Dictator’s Belly.’ It has a picture. It’s very clear.”

“Mrs. Patterson thinks he’s special.”

“Mrs. Patterson is wrong.”

“Mrs. Patterson is an eternal optimist who believes all cats secretly want belly rubs.”

“Mrs. Patterson is a fool.” Orion doesn’t look up from his spreadsheet. “Mario doesn’t even like belly rubs from you.”

“Mario tolerates belly rubs from me.”

“That’s different from liking them.”

“It’s different from biting, which is the relevant metric here.”

Mario, as if sensing he’s being discussed, yowls his agreement from the window seat. Through the bond, I feel Orion’s amusement, and beneath it, his deep, abiding contentment. Five months of this life, and he still feels like he’s gotten away with something. Like he can’t quite believe his luck.

I can hear you, I send.

I’m not hiding it.

You’re being soft again.

I’m allowed. We’ve established this.

We take my car.

This still feels strange sometimes, the casual way I can say “we’ll take my car” and then actually get in and drive it somewhere. The laminated checklist is still clipped to the visor, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop using it, but the ritual has become automatic now. Background process. Normal.

Meds taken. Phone in glovebox. Mirrors adjusted. Seatbelt.

I turn the key.

Orion folds himself into the passenger seat, his long legs awkwardly bent. He’s tried to buy me a new car, something with actual legroom, approximately seven times. I’ve refused every time.

“This car has history,” I told him the last time. “This car is important.”

“This car is a death trap.”

“This car carried me to you.”

“This car carried you to a hospital. I carried you to me.”

“Technicalities.”

Now he just sighs and accepts his fate, folding himself into the too-small space with the resignation of someone who knows when he’s lost.

“Left at the light,” he says.

“I know where we’re going.”

“You missed the turn last time.”