Page 43 of Siren in the Rain

Griff: Tide! Get it? *ROFL*

Dallas: Now I gotta top that. What’s a cat’s favorite TV show?

Griff: Ooh! How about Caturday Night Live?

Ruby: Ha! Good one, Griff. My vote’s for RuPaul’s Cat Race.

Harper: Hmmm. Avatar: The Last Cat-bender?

Cal: No way, it’s totally The Catpranos! Or wait, Kittens of Anarchy!

Dallas: You’re all wrong. It’s Claw and Order. Duh.

Shae: You’re all seriously weird.

—MEOW Squad Group Text Thread

Griffin

“Why so glum, Griff?” Ruby asks as she pops a purple jelly bean into her mouth with a hum of happiness.

I slump down on my stool. We’re in the compound’s state-of-the-art lab, where Emma’s taken up shop and has been working away like a mad scientist—or rather, Potion Master—ever since she arrived.

Talk about bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble!

At first, I was a teensy bit worried that Ruby suggested bringing Emma on just to make Shae more comfortable and also because Ruby was very clearly into her. But in the week she’s been here, Emma’s already proven herself an invaluable asset to the team. Our potion reserves are nicely stocked, and Emma is working on developing a number of new potions tailored to some of our group’s more specific needs.

And, as an added bonus, it does appear that there’s a sweet romance blooming between these two wonderful women.

I’m happy for my friend, but it also makes me wistful.

I sigh longingly as I watch them sitting side by side across from me at the lab’s clearest workbench. Emma’s making some notes with a focused look on her face, and Ruby’s scooted her stool close and is leaning against her while contentedly popping jelly beans in her mouth.

Ruby arches an eyebrow at me. “Fess up, Griff. What’s got you all gloomy? It’s not like you.”

I pooch out my bottom lip, unable to hold back a pout. “It’s just that I’m… a little envious that your love life is going so much better than mine.”

Emma lifts her head from where she’s been focusing on her notes. “Patience is key when it comes to Shae. Believe me, it took me a whole year to earn his trust as a friend.”

I groan, wanting to wallow for a moment. “That just means what lies ahead for me is even more difficult.”

Ruby deigns to share a yellow jelly bean with me. “Have some faith in yourself, Griff. You’re cute as a button, have a stupidly hot body, and you’re one of the sweetest guys I know.” She smiles. “Shae’s lucky to have you for a mate. You’re the kind who will dote on your mate and love them with every ounce of your being. I’m sure he’ll see that in time. But he’s been through a lot, and he’s not ready for what you want with him yet.”

I feel my ears droop even more and my tail sags. “Yeah, I know. And I’m prepared to give him as much time as it takes—in the worst-case scenario, he won’t accept our bond. But as long as he lets me stay by his side, that’ll be enough for me.” It’s not what I want at all, but if it’s what Shae needs, I’ll give it to him.

Ruby’s mouth twists unhappily. “I truly hope, for you both, that Shae can get to a place where he’s ready to accept your bond one day. It will bring so much joy to both of your lives.” She shakes her head. “I think part of what he doesn’t fully realize about his parents’ situation is that his own father’s resistance to the bond with Shae’s mother was probably part of what warped and twisted him. Denying such a connection often yields unexpected magical backlash to the one who refuses the bond.”

She’s right. What am I even thinking? While I’ll never force him, it doesn’t mean I have to sit back like a passive fool, especially when it comes to protecting Shae.

I lift up both hands and smack my cheeks loudly to snap myself out of my momentary funk.

Emma stares and Ruby snickers.

“Thanks for hearing me out. I’m done wallowing. What I need to do now is focus on supporting Shae in his recovery and”—I waggle my eyebrows for emphasis—“wooing the fuck out of him.”

Ruby hoots with laughter. “That’s the spirit, Griff!”

My optimism renews double-fold, and I bounce in my seat, unable to keep still. I need to start formulating plans for Operation: Woo My Mate Like a Smooth Motherfucker!

---