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“Of course,” I said faintly as a sharp bark of objection came from the wolf on the floor.
Dad frowned again and added, “And he better not bark all night.”
“He won’t,” I promised quickly as Dad continued to linger at the door. I knew better than to hurry him or he’d just dig his heels in. Like someone else I know, I thought glaring at the wolf on the floor.
“And keep him off the furniture,” Dad demanded, pointing at the bed. I felt my face flame as Dominic closed his eyes.
“Got it, Dad.”
“I’m making steak for dinner,” he mentioned and Dominic’s ears perked up.
“Can you cook one for Domin..no?” I quickly corrected myself as Dad stared at me in disbelief. “What?” I shrugged. “He’s gotta eat.”
“Of course he does,” Dad replied and went down the hall muttering something about big ass dogs and his steak.
“Love you, Dad!” I cried out and he tossed me a wave of acknowledgement over his shoulder.
I slumped against the wall, eyeing Dominic. He tilted his head in the wolf equivalent of ‘what now?’
I took a deep breath and told him, “Forget you ever heard him call me Bunny and I’ll never mention you and obedience training in the same sentence.”
I held my hand out and he eyed it disdainfully before reluctantly placing his paw in it. I had to brace myself against the weight since it was at least twice the size of my hand.
“Good, we have a deal.”
Dominic lowered his paw, trotted over to the bed, and jumped on it. I sighed, glanced over my shoulder to check that Dad couldn’t see him, and decided to give in gracefully. It wasn’t like I could move him anyway.
Dinner went better than expected since Dominic busied himself with gnawing on an enormous T-bone. Dad finally stopped muttering about expensive appetites and I excused myself saying I had homework.
“Aren’t you going to take him out?” Dad called after me and I hesitated. Did he need to go out?
“Right,” I answered, turning around. “I will take him outside.” I forced a grin and added, “He probably needs to stretch his legs anyway.”
“Does he need a leash?”
I closed my eyes at the idea of putting a leash on Dominic and his immediate growl assured me that would never happen.
“No, he comes on command,” I replied, going to the door.
“Come, Domi….no,” I called, catching myself before I used his real name. He got to his feet and came over to me, nudging his head against me so I couldn’t go out before him. I smiled faintly at his protectiveness even when forced to act like a dog.
He sniffed the air, and cocked his ears forward, listening. After a minute, he deemed it safe enough and walked out with me trailing behind him. Once we’d turned the corner of the building, he bumped me again, herding me to the wall, lifting his head up and down. I eyed him curiously, before I figured out he wanted me to sit and wait for him there. I nodded and sank down, leaning my back against the wall. He gave me a hard stare and I muttered defensively, “I’ll sit right here until you come back.”
He nodded in satisfaction and ran to the woods. I tilted my head back and looked up at the night sky, seeing a blanket of stars above me. It wasn’t something you could see in the city and I wondered if staying was the right decision. Was I risking Dominic’s life by staying? Or was leaving just another instance of me shutting people out?
A few minutes later, I heard several howls, one in particular distinctive, and I knew it was Dominic. I didn’t know how I knew only that I did. I let my mind wander, abandoning the never-ending loop of what-ifs as I studied the millions of stars. I wondered if there was anyone up there staring back down at me. If I was, nothing more than a distant star in the sky to them.
A cold nose bumped me and I glanced over to see Dominic’s golden yellow eyes staring at me. It was about the only thing I could make out in the darkness since he blended in so well.
I reached out, my hand hovering over the fur behind his ear, unsure how he would take my petting him. He tilted his head back, allowing my hand to make contact and I took that as permission. My fingers sank deep into the silky fur and as I massaged he made a humming noise. Something about the moment gave me courage, maybe it was because he couldn’t talk back or the darkness, but I let the words I could never say, spill out.
“My mom is a bitch. Coldhearted and selfish. She only wants to win and I swear she’d do anything so she can. She needs to control everything. Including me.” Dominic settled his massive head on my knee as I spoke, telling me he was listening. “She told me I was dead to her when I chose to live with Dad. Told me I was nothing but a waste and a mistake. That if it hadn’t been for me and the fact that Dad stopped her from getting an abortion, she’d have been free a long time ago.” Dominic rumbled and I shook my head. “I’m not upset about it. With my mother, a lie could be the truth and the truth nothing but a lie.” I let out a sigh and my gaze went back to the stars above. “She just has to win,” I said bitterly. “She has to be right, no matter what.” I plunged my hand deeper into his fur, rubbing the scruff around his neck. “She knows how much I want to see Europe. It was supposed to be my senior trip, but she made sure when they got divorced that it was canceled. Now, she wants to dangle living in Europe in front of me.” Dominic’s head turned the bright yellow of his eyes curious. “My stepfather was transferred,” I explained. “The European office. She wants me to live with them. Spend my senior year there.” Dominic made a noise, human enough to make me start. I shook my head and told him, “I’m not going.” A low growl was his response and I smiled. “This is what she does. Dangles an irresistible carrot and then makes your life hell when you take it.” I smoothed his ruffled fur as I continued. “I know I should go. It’s selfish for me to stay honestly, but I’m happy here. I belong. I’m glad to be with my dad and even though I never in a million years would have dreamed this life,” I shrugged reluctantly, “Now, I can’t imagine not being here.” He leaned his weight into me, the closest he could come to hugging me and I wrapped my arms around him. “Not that I’m giving up on my dreams or even promising I can stay forever, but this deserves a chance.” Dominic sighed and I squeezed him tighter. “I know it’s dangerous. Foolish.” He snorted and I smiled into his inky black fur. “But there’s this guy. He’s younger, has sandy blonde hair,” I was interrupted by a growl and giggled. “Let me finish,” I admonished, squeezing a little harder than necessary. “He’s great, but he has this guy who would lay down his life for him. This guy who is a little grumpy,” another growl interrupted me so I added, “Okay, a lot grumpy. But he’s honorable. Honest. Kinda of good-looking. And massive. Oh my god is he huge.” A shaking chuff met my words and I grinned. “He’s looking for a mate. Not that he said as much but I can read between the lines.” Those golden eyes swung to mine and I stroked the soft fur of his cheekbone. “He’s all low key, but I feel it too.” He stared at me unblinkingly and then his tongue curled out and swiped my chin.
