Page 54 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“No one is going to suspect a thing. You’re pretty small for a werewolf. People will just think you have more wolf in you than dog.”
He doesn’t seem convinced by this. “How about I put a leash on you and trot you around?”
“If that’s what you want, your one true love will permit it,” he says.
Julian just keeps glowering at him, but Casimir is fully unaffected. Honestly, he looks quite pleased with himself.
We walk around for a bit, and Casimir buys Gustov a new collar and a treat which cost more than was necessary for a dog that consumed it without even tasting it. Then we head over to the ring so we can watch a few dogs go before we do.
“Does… Does Gustov know any of this?” Julian asks, looking quite skeptical.
“Gustov doesn’t have to know any of this; he will get a perfect score just by being present,” Casimir declares.
“Says the man who will be watching and not embarrassing himself with it,” Julian grumbles as he takes the leash from Casimir. “You owe me so much shit after this. You chose to embarrass me both as a human and a wolf. There will be payback.”
“Sexy payback?” Casimir asks, sounding quite curious. “Because if it’s sexy payback, there were a ton of classes I wanted to put you in.”
“Ha. Funny.”
Julian sighs and leads Gustov up to the gate. He takes him inside and Gustov has his eyes fixated on him.
“He’s… actually paying attention. Impressive,” Ezio says.
“My Gustov knows when it’s showtime. He’s the absolute best dog to have ever existed. Have we not gone over this?” Casimir asks.
“You tried to eat him,” Ezio reminds him.
“I also tried to eat you,” Casimir says. “I bet you’d have been delicious.”
Ezio still has the ability to look offended, as if he could possibly be surprised after all this time that Casimir is a monster. “You love me!”
“I probably wouldn’t have eaten all of you,” he says as, out on the course, Julian takes off the leash.
“Why… did you sign him up for the one where you take the leash off? Isn’t that more advanced?” I ask.
“Because Gustov has advanced beyond all dogs,” he declares.
“Uh-huh… Okay,” I say while Julian starts walking and Gustov happily walks by his side… though prances is probably the better word. He’s like a model showing off as he picks each foot up with far too much lift, and when Julian calls for a sit at the next sign that tells him what to do, Gustov sits beautifully.
“That’s my boy. I knew he was the best,” Casimir gushes as Julian tells him to lie down. Gustov is more than happy to do it.
“Good thing they let you give them treats. It sounds like real competitions don’t allow you to treat them,” Yorick says when Julian treats Gustov before calling him to heel. I look over at Casimir, who is like a beaming father watching his child do a holiday play.
This is so ridiculous.
“Did you see that turn? I bet there’s never been a better turn in all of dogkind,” he says as Gustov hops up with a bit too much enthusiasm. It doesn’t seem like proud father Casimir has realized what’s happening here when Gustov’s entire body tenses.
“Gustov, stand,” Julian orders, and I guess that means “spring” to Gustov because he leaps to his feet and bolts.
The little course has a small fence that Gustov could easily jump, but at least he stays inside his area as hefliesaround the course, completely out of control. His hair is flying, the people watching are laughing. He wipes out a sign and does a somersault, but he’s back up and even dodges Julian who is trying to catch him.
“Wow, the obedience, the skill, the best dog in the world,” Yorick deadpans.
“I will feed you to the dog if you don’t shut up,” Casimir says. “I would like to eat everyone who is laughing at him.” He slowly lowers his phone like he doesn’t want this atrocity of Julian chasing after the feral poodle on camera, but I sure do. Or maybe he doesn’t want documented proof of him declaring who he’s going to eat so the cops can’t use it as evidence in a “Why did you murder this man?” “Oh, because he laughed at my dog” way.
I start laughing but tuck my head toward Ezio to avoid Casimir’s glower. Even the judge is laughing. It’s hard not to when Gustov’s hair moves like that with each leap, hop, and tumble.
Julian grabs for him, but all he gets is an armful of fluff as the poodle shoots out of his arms. But the next time he zooms by, Julian snatches him up, hauling the large poodle to the gate while he stares at his partner who seems to be avoiding his eyes.
