Page 61 of The Beta's Heart

Me no make mess. Me just happy!

Exactly, I said with a sigh.But Reau might not understand you’re happy. He might think you’re being scary if you’re too extra.

Me no want scare Reau. Me only want make fend.River’s ears perked up, his head tilting as he tried to process.

That’s what I want, too.Just remember, slow and steady. No jumping or barking. Be like… Hmm. Be like a big, gentle teddy bear.

River seemed to understand that comparison, his tail wagging harder as he hopped around in a small circle, making the dishes rattle in the cupboard and the floor shake.

Me big teddy! No bark, no jump. Just gentle bear good boy.

Perfect. And try to use your inside voice, okay? Em said Reau’s scared of loud noises.

Otay, Ty-Ty.

Thanks, Riv. I know you’ll do great. Reau’s been through a lot, and we want this to be a good experience for him.

With that, I let him leave the house, hoping this went well.

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River

Me run in woods, and trees zoom by. So excited to make new fend! Ty-Ty say be gentle bear—Wait! What dat noise?

Someting snuffle-shuffle in dah bushies! Oh, boy, birdies! Fun to flush! Me dive in bushies and birdies flap-flap-flap, make lots of noise. Me try to catch dem, but dey fly too high. Birdies all get away.

You’re getting distracted,Ty-Ty say.

Birdies so fun! Want to chase more! But not want to make Ty-Ty mad. Me go back to trail and trot-trot-trot. Me want be good teddy boy for Ty-Ty.

Soon me see big, fancy house. Yay! Finally here! Get to meet baby brudder! Ty-Ty say udder name, but Winnie and Will-yum call baby brudder Toro. Me call baby brudder Toro, too! Easy to say!

Em wait on porch wif Toro. Me sniffy-sniff and smell Cove, but not smell Toro wolf.

Where Toro wolf?me ask Ty-Ty.

Em said that Reau’s wolf, Tanner, is asleep, but I think it’s more than that, Ty-Ty say wif sad eyes.

What tink, Ty-Ty?

I think his wolf is gone. No one can sense him, smell him, talk to him, or even feel him.

Wolf go to Moon Goddess? Why?

Like I said the other day, wherever he came from, the people were very, very mean to him,Ty-Ty say.Don’t talk about it, though, okay? It would only upset Em and make Reau sad.

Upset Em? Eh. Ty-Ty deal wif Em. But make Toro sad? No, no, nopey no!

Me hush my mouf ’bout dead wolf,me promise.

Yes, please do.

Me run to big house, hop up stairs—one, two, tree!—den take deep breaf.

Me want Toro like me. Want make new fend. Want show Ty-Ty dat me is gentle bear and big teddy and good boy.

And meWILL!

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