Page 35 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
If Ariel agreed, they wanted me to stay on because the producers and the writing team had some kind of epiphany over Hades and Persephone. They liked their look so much they had already begun laying the groundwork for giving them their own social media platform.
There would be more scenes for Hades and Seph and still picture shoots. Writers would be hired to work on quirky stories about the two hybrids, who, if things went well, would find sponsorships and create the same kind of branding sensation as Target’s English Bull Terrier, Bullseye.
Despite how much I wanted to see my brother and Ariel, despite how I longed to hold my niece for the first time, despite the money this new contract would bring to the Sanctuary, I wanted to stay in large part because I'd found an unlikely friend in Sebastian Keye.
Ariel went for the plan despite misgivings, but life was a balancing act.
In order to win Ariel’s approval of their plan, the network had to promise that for each post about Hades and Persephone they would run an educational story about the reality of wolfdog hybrids, whose very natural but misunderstood behavior made them more likely to be abandoned, rehomed, beaten, neglected, and euthanized. Fundraising for The New World Wolf Sanctuary had to be built into their platform.
I had no right to argue, but I felt conflicted about the decision. I wanted to stay because I’d made a new friend, but I worried that with Hades and Persephone’s appearance on the show, the hybrid genie would find its way out of the bottle again and more wolfdog hybrids would be created by people who didn’t care about anything but quick cash.
Plus, the longer we stayed, the longer Hades and Persephone had to be contained inside their pens and crates between scenes. Though they were allowed out for brisk but controlled walks, I believed they should only have to go so long without the freedom to roam and run and play without me. If we were going to spend more time in St. Nacho’s, I had to find a way to engage them and let them burn off their energy.
That evening, we took a long walk through the woods. Hades and Seph wore basket muzzles and walked ahead of me on a single tangle-free lead. All three dogs needed to be kept on leashes by law, but Morrigan was so well trained I only had to clip it to her collar and loop it through my belt. If I let her, she would carry her leash in her mouth and behave perfectly.
Walking like that wasn’t ideal, but it was a compromise to letting them roam and run. It was safe enough, a mile away from the human actors and crew members. It was peaceful and quiet.
All three animals seemed happy and relaxed when we returned. I made sure they had some water and took a quick shower before opening the awning and arranging the furniture as it had been before I’d packed it up.
Sebastian and Molly arrived about an hour before dinner was scheduled to arrive. They’d walked the half mile together. Molly arrived with a tote bag full of wine. Sebastian carried a large camera case. Morrigan took their approach in stride, but Hades and Persephone made a racket, wanting to know if our intruders were friend or foe.
“Oh my goodness, are you Morrigan?” Molly bent over to peek beneath the table when she noticed Morrigan lying over my feet.
“The one and only. Morrigan?” The dog’s focus immediately narrowed to my face. “Come on out, girl.”
She crawled from under the table and stretched before sitting politely. She was too well trained to run to Sebastian, but she liked him. It was a challenge for her to wait for my permission.
“Go make some friends,” I told her. She bounded over to greet Sebastian the way dogs greet friends, tail up, head lowered in an invitation to play. He took her up on it, getting on all fours with her and rolling around a bit.
“She remembers me.” He looked delighted. “I got you treats, Morrigan.”
“Excuse me?” Molly groused. “I did that, you big stinking liar.”
“I asked you to get them.”
“Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and I have them here.” Molly got Morrigan’s attention immediately by fishing the distinctive and probably tasty-smelling barkery bag out of her tote. “Honestly, if I was going to town for these, I might as well have brought dinner.”
“It was an afterthought.” Sebastian placed his camera bag on the table, out of play range. “Or I’d have suggested it earlier.”
I watched my dog beg shamelessly. “Morrigan’s going to be so spoiled if you keep this up.”
“Sebastian told me how beautiful you are, Morrigan.” Molly held a small treat shaped like a fire hydrant in the palm of her hand. “Tell me about her, Stone. How did you get her?”
“About three years ago, I met the woman I work for now at a fundraiser for a nonprofit that matches emotional support animals with veterans who need them.”
“Wait—” Sebastian said. “She wasn’t married to your brother yet?”
“Actually, I introduced them shortly after that party. Seems I was right that they’d be perfect for each other.”
“So did you trade?” Sebastian teased. “Your brother for this adorable dog?”
“Nope, I had to apply and wait like everyone else. In the end, I got a great dog, a sister-in-law I love, and a new niece out of the deal.”
“She seems like an exceptional find. Do you mind telling me what she does for you?” Molly asked. “If it’s not too personal of course.”
Even after all these years, it wasn’t easy. “Rarely, I cycle through posttraumatic episodes. Anger management issues and panic attacks.” Sebastian’s gaze rose to meet mine. “I manage those pretty well. Morrigan’s gifts are for when I have flashbacks because I’m not—I’m still not very good at finding my way back.”
Molly nodded. “You use your physical senses as a grounding technique?”
