Page 4 of Howls and Home Runs

There I go talking to myself again. Loony Lainey, they called me. Is it really so bad I find humans a terrible source of companionship? My luck with men has been dismal at best, so I gave up dating and turned my attention to romance books instead. At least the monsters in my books don’t disappoint me.

Smirking to myself, I lay Wilder on the bench. Placing his head next to him, I step away to grab my bike shorts out of my bag. Jeans were not going to be comfortable but were unfortunately what I mindlessly chose to wear when I woke up and rushed out of my house this morning, eager to spend the day at Westland Stadium.

Stepping out of my jeans, one leg at a time with my back towards the bench, I hear that familiar sound. Another high pitched whine. Fumbling with the second leg of my jeans, my braid flies over my shoulder as I quickly turn around. I look at Wilder’s head, squinting my eyes suspiciously as a self-deprecating laugh escapes me.

“It’s just your imagination… there’s no one here.” I look away from Wilder and scan the room once more, thankful no one is here to see me in this state. With one pant leg still on and my green floral granny panties out in the open. It’s laundry day ok? I sigh and kick the remaining pant leg off, reaching for my bike shorts.

More of my dream comes back to me. I was pinned in the dirt, face down, by the furry figure. A warm body hovering over mine, large paws on either side of my head. The damp, rich earth cooling my cheek. A low growl bounces around the empty stadium and drops of spit drip down onto my bare shoulder.

Another whine drags me from my dirty daydream. “WHAT THE FUCK?” I yell, snapping my head up, eyes flying around the room. “Who’s there? Come on out now!”

Nothing. Dead silence. Shaking, I slowly turn around, scanning the rows of lockers for any sign of an intruder. No one is here, just me and Wilder. I look down at his head.

“Well, it’s certainly not you making the sounds,” Joking to myself before his foam ear twitches.

HIS EAR FUCKING TWITCHED. That’s it. I’m going insane. Just like my mother said I would. A loud gasp escapes me before I slap a hand over my mouth, taking a few steps back.

“Don’t go.” A deep rumbling voice echoes in the locker room.

I scream, clumsily tugging my bike shorts on. When I reach down to grab my bag from the floor next to the bench where Wilder was, I see the suit is no longer there.

“What–” A soft padding sound comes from behind me, cutting me off. I spin around and slam into a very solid, furry body.

“Wilder?!”

Chapter six

Wilder

“Don’t scream, I won’t hurt you!” I rush out in a panic. The color drains from Lainey’s face and her eyes roll to the back of her head before she collapses. Lunging forward, I carefully catch her in my paws before she hits the floor.

Shit. Cradling her in my arms, I carry her over to the bench and lay her down, her head in my lap and her body stretched along the cool wood. “Lainey? Lainey are you alright?” Her eyes flutter as she comes to, then go wide as she tries to sit up quickly. I gently stop her with my paw.

“Slow down, you’re ok. I’m not going to hurt you. You just fainted.” She allows me to guide her head back into my lap, her eyes never leaving mine. I can feel her fear.

“W-Wilder? You’re alive?!” Her body starts to shake, making my hollow chest ache. That’s new.

I carefully place my paw on the side of her face for comfort, not totally sure if it’s for hers or my own.

“Alive-ish. Not quite like you, but yes. Are you alright?”

Her eyes search mine frantically as if she’s waiting for a punchline, then snorts loudly, making my fur bristle at the sound. Is she laughing at me? I straighten and tilt my head at her laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

It comes out a little more unpleasant than I mean it to. Lainey startles, blankly staring back at me at the same time she slowly sits up.

“It was you! The whining-the breeze! The liquid! It was you this whole time!” She rushes out short sentences between quick breaths, but feels less afraid now. My fur relaxes back to its normal state as her emotions turn from bitter to something more palatable.

Lainey jumps up off the bench, standing in front of me. “But how? When? Have you been alive this whole time?!” Her eyes rove over my body and face, trying to make sense of it all.

“I’m not sure when but I do know it was some time ago.. My handlers, I think they brought me life with their emotions and it made me– “ I gesture up and down my body with my paw, “this. One day I had thoughts and feelings of my own and they grew more complex with each handler.”

Lainey circles me on the bench, taking me in, as she chews on her thumb. I sit still, well mostly still. My damn tail starts to wag and my nose twitches as her scent wraps around me, both calming and arousing me at the same time. I almost lose my mind when I see her small pink tongue darting out against the back of her thumb. She breaks the silence, and my dirty thoughts, as she stops in front of me again.

“Does anyone know?” Lainey inspects my features again, her brows furrowed in concentration, when her emotions hit me like a fastball. Curiosity. Her sweet scent, potent now, enveloping my senses. I snap my muzzle closed before drool drips from my jaws.

“Only you.” My voice shakes as I stare into her soft green eyes. The color of sage brush, gentle and calm. They meet mine cautiously before she reaches out to stroke my face. Meeting her hand halfway I nuzzle against it instinctively. I’ve craved her touch since the moment her dainty fingers stroked my fur for the first time. Lainey pauses at the increased contact, pulling her hand back at first, then hums continuing to stroke my face of her own accord.