Page 34 of Bred By the Wolfman

We take a seat nearby, and I bring out the reusable tote bag where I stashed the cream. Then I slide it across the table like we’re doing a drug deal.

“Don’t tell anyone I brought you this,” I say conspiratorially, and Dee giggles.

“I won’t, I won’t.” She sticks it into her purse and snaps the top closed, glancing around like we’re being watched. “Thank you. That was really nice of you.”

“No problem. The aches and pains are normal. Be sure to use a heating pad on muscles that?—”

“Yeah, yeah,” she says, waving me off. “I know all about the heating pads. This ache feels deeper, though, like it’s in my bones.” She lets out a defeated sigh. “Is it going to be like this the whole time?”

A sadness washes over me. I know it’s often an unpleasant thing to carry a child, but when I see parents together, often I see such joy, too. I wish I could share that with her, and be there every night to soothe away her aches and make her see stars, instead.

“No,” I answer at last. “It won’t always be like this. You’ll find moments of happiness, too. You’re doing something amazing.” I lean forward on the table to lap up my drink. “It’ll be worth it.”

Dee nods slowly, then smiles up at me. It’s a fake smile, a forced one, but I return it anyway. “Thanks for the words of wisdom,” she says.

I try to veer the conversation away, somewhere safer where I can put my best foot forward as “platonic friend.” I even inquire a little about her boyfriend, but she hesitates before talking about him.

“He’s a good guy,” is all she says. “Does some kind of computer thing.” Then our conversation turns to Boomer and how well he’s recovered since the attack, and Dee brightens up as she tells me he’s good as new, minus a scar on his ear.

Eventually, the late morning becomes lunchtime, and she sighs over her empty iced coffee cup.

“Thanks for going out with me,” Dee says. “I needed to leave the house.”

“I’m happy to do it anytime. I don’t usually work until the evening.”

“You work night shift?” she asks. “That’s rough.”

“When you’re a resident, you get used to it. And then I never really left.” I don’t tell her that I’m taking the night shifts because it pays better and I need the money for future childcare.

When we’re finally at our cars and it’s time to leave, Dee hesitates at her door.

“I’d like to do this again,” she says, almost shyly. “I don’t have a ton of friends, and definitely none who really understand what I’m going through.”

I sure haven’t spent much time with my own friends since I started my diligent watch over her, but I nod along.

“I’d be happy to,” I say. “You have my number.”

With that, we each get into our respective vehicles and wave goodbye.

Today feels like a good step. Now I understand better how she feels about her boyfriend, and I certainly wouldn’t call it passionate. But I hate that she hurts, and carrying my cub is so physically and mentally draining for her. I’m nearly overwhelmed by the need to go after her as she drives away, to tell her that I’m Bill, that I’d care much better for her and our cub than that pathetic human man.

But I need her to trust me as Russ, to like me as Russ, to decide that Russ is a better fit for her.

Maybe soon, the next step will come.

DEE

The things that wolfman makes me feel should be considered criminal.

Just standing near him at the coffee shop, fuck. It was difficult to keep my hands to myself. I just wanted to run my fingers through his soft fur. His t-shirt complemented his broad chest perfectly, and he even had a pair of prominent pectoral muscles straining the fabric. His jeans were tight, showing off his ass while still leaving a slot for his big, fluffy tail. And his high ankles with the huge paws?

I can almost hear Bill’s claws scraping the floor as he fucked me hard.

When Robbie comes over that night, I’m awash in guilt. I know I should break it off with him. We exchange a kiss when he comes inside, but I feel nothing behind it. He’s become more like a friend, someone I can trust and rely on—but I find I lack any attraction. Especially now that I’ve met Russ, I can’t say that the prospect of any human really draws me.

Robbie glances around my apartment as he sets down a bag of groceries. I’ve become a decent enough cook in the last few months, trying to meet the nutritional needs that DreamTogether has set out for me, and I’m planning to try a new recipe from my book tonight.

“Have you ever thought about getting a maid?” he asks, unpacking the bag. I frown, then pick a few stray objects off the counter to put them away.

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