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Husband.
Wife.
I like those words.
I look over at Clara, who is creating a new store profile for Princess in their system, and smile.
Ireallylike those words.
32
CLARA
I can’t sleep.
I have every reason to be able to sleep just fine. The whole afternoon was spent running around the villa, chasing Willow and Princess in various games of catch, tug-of-war, and tickles. At some points, Princess would start growling and nipping at me, but Demyen or one of the guards would quickly swoop in to reassure me that she’s protecting Willow.
They were right. The more we played, the more at ease with me Princess became. As long as I played with “her human” in a safe and appropriate manner, we had no issues.
Okay. I kinda love this dog.
Demyen and I have eased into a familiar rhythm in our home life. We have dinner together, read books to Willow together, tuck her in together. And then we slip away to our bedroom to talk, make love, take a shower, all of the above…
Tonight has been an “all of the above” sort of night. Demyen seems to be far more relaxed and happier than he’s been in a long time. And, to be honest, so am I.
So why can’t I sleep?
He’s fast asleep next to me, one arm draped around my middle, the other cradling a pillow under his head. Even when he’s trying to get himself comfortable, he always finds a way to hold me close while he sleeps.
I love it.
I still can’t sleep, though.
Very slowly, very carefully, I slip out from under his heavy arm and try not to disturb the blankets too much. I don’t want to wake him; I just need to go for a walk around the grounds to make me tired.
It’s a beautiful, starry night out here in the Mojave. The villa is quiet, softly lit by the solar lamps that line each pathway. A few guards pace around the designated areas, but otherwise, the staff and majority of Demyen’s men are either at their homes or asleep in their rooms. Aside from the wind, the only other sounds are the trickling fountains…
… and Princess.
I frown and try to peer across the courtyard to where Willow’s solarium is. We took off Princess’s neon pink harness for the night, so the only way I’ll be able to see her is if the light catches on the metal heart-shaped tag hanging from her matching pink collar. Otherwise, Princess is virtually invisible in the dark.
And, I can hear as I tiptoe closer, she’s growling likemad.
My stomach twists into knots.This is it. This is what they warned us about. Less than a day with us and already we’re having aggression issues with the bully mix. I don’t want to break Willow’s heart, but we can’t have?—
I stop in my tracks.
Princess is squarely in Willow’s doorway, every fiber of her fur standing on end. Her teeth are bared, and she is growling averydeadly warning to something in the shadows.
Something not illuminated by any of the solar lamps.
“Princess?” I whisper. I want to keep her calm, but my heart is racing. I don’t want her to attack one of our guards, but at the same time… I can’t shake this feeling.
This same feeling that wouldn’t let me sleep.
“Princess? Good girl. That’s a good girl.”
I reach my hand out to stroke her soft fur.
