Page 74 of As The Shifter World Turns

“You don’t smell.” I gave Patch a kiss and walked in.

“You’re back.” Micah strolled out of the kitchen, a big grin on his face. “And you have an animal.” The grin was replaced with a frown. He sniffed the air. “Please tell me you’re delivering said animal to its new owner.”

Patch wriggled, trying to get out of the carrier and I stroked him as I said, “Sort of.” Technically, I was doing just that. Except the new owner was me.

But Micah saw through my fib. “You got a dog.” Patch cried, wanting to get down. “Without asking me. But wait. You don’t actually live here so why ask me when we’re just neighbors, not roommates or even mates!”

I hadn’t thought this through and now it was bringing up all the big issues in our relationship. “Sorry.”

“Or is this because I can’t give you babies, and the pup is a substitute?” The annoyance was gone and replaced by sadness and resignation.

“No. Nobody wanted him and he was going to spend his life in a cage.” I pointed to his munched up ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you. That was wrong.”

“Why is he doing that?” Micah asked. “Please tell me he’s not going to pee.” I couldn't guarantee that wouldn’t happen. New puppies meant cleaning up accidents until they were house-trained.

“He wants to get down and explore, and his name’s Patch.”

Another frown from Micah. He closed the bedroom door and glared at Patch. “You chew on anything and you’re…” He didn’t finish the sentence as the puppy tilted his head as though he was listening to Micah.

I put him on the floor and he ran straight to Micah, wagged his tail and barked. My unicorn shifter tensed and Patch stared up at him. “What does he want?” Micah made a face.

“I think he wants you to pick him up.”

“And do what?”

“Cuddle him.”

He bent down and gingerly picked up Patch who gave Micah’s cheek a lick. A bark and a lick. This wasn’t going well. Micah sighed and gave the pup a stern look. Patch met his gaze and held it. “You clean up any mess, Archer. I don’t do puppy do do.”

“That’s fine.” I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding and put my arms around my alpha and our furry baby.

“Patch will need toys,” he said.

My phone beeped and I grabbed it from my pocket.There’s dog shit in the yard. Please clean it up.That was Daire. I’d forgotten about the poop.

Neil

I took little Patch out of Archer’s hand along with the leash, snacks, a ball and poop bags. Puppies needed lots of stuff. I was so looking forward to taking him for a walk. Years ago when I’d walked dogs for friends, being out in the fresh air and enjoying how the dogs were so excited by simple things such as a butterfly, a scent, a bush that had to be peed on, tamped down my own anxiety.

And besides, I loved dogs.

“Come on, Patch. I’m going to introduce you to the park and we’ll have so much fun.”

“Hi, Neil.” Toby bounded down the stairs.

He and Martin were all moved into 3A and I was okay with it. My feelings regarding Martin were all a jumble and I’d pushed them aside for now.

Toby bent down and patted Patch who rewarded him with a lick. “Are you going out?”

“I’m taking Patch to the park.”

“Can I come?”

“Sure.” It was a slow walk as Patch insisted on sniffing everything. Toby and I chatted about school, soccer and how he liked Sunshine Manor. And when we got to the park, I sat on a bench while Toby threw Patch a ball. Both boy and puppy raced around for thirty minutes and when they were done, they both flopped on the grass exhausted.

“Toby! Toby! Can you hear me?” Both Toby and I stood up as Martin raced along the sidewalk, phone in his hand with Daire beside him. The ball of anxiety that was always in my belly expanded, and I clutched the park bench.

“Dad, I’m here with Neil and Patch.”

---