Page 97 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“Sounds strange and weird,” I comment.
“A good weird?”
“I… my mind doesn’t comprehend any part of it. Like… there’s no way I’m just poofing into a freaking wolf.”
“Are you going to poof into a cat or something instead? A cat does seem to suit you better.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to turn into, but I don’t feel like I’m going to turn into anything. The whole concept just… like I’ve seen wolves… I’ve been mauled by wolves… and I still can’t… it just… I don’t know. Maybe I’ll understand it better when it happens.”
“Whatever you do, don’t try until you’re healed. You don’t need to rip your wounds open.”
“I won’t,” I say, unsure about trying even after I’m healed. The whole idea… freaks me out a bit. I keep eating while I think about that. “My fluffy balls are going to be on display for everyone to see.”
Ezio starts laughing. “That’s your concern?”
“Can I wear pants? Can you get me pants?”
“I’ll get you dog pants.”
“Make sure they cover the balls.”
“I’ll specifically ask for them to cover the balls. I’m actually quite talented with a sewing machine. I could sew you up a little jockstrap.”
“Jesus.”
He’s laughing even harder now. “They make those doggy diapers!”
“I’m just going to refuse,” I decide. “I’m not going to become some… creature that is perfectly fine waltzing around naked, climbing on board game tables, wearing skirts that are see-through, and falling naked onto people.”
Ezio looks concerned. “Hey… you know that doesn’t happen when you become a werewolf, right? That’s just because Julian is strange. I’ll make sure you don’t flash anyone your furry balls.”
“I don’t want to end up like Julian.”
“You won’t,” he assures me. “And to answer your question, I didn’t go to Julian… I didn’t need to because I had you right there. I just noticed you were rousing and got up to get you something to eat.”
“You can still go to Julian for comfort. I was just joking that I was jealous,” I say.
“I haven’t even thought about Julian this evening… well, besides you making me think about his nudity issues.”
“He claims you also have nudity issues. Didn’t you have a whole nude portrait thing you stripped for?”
“Just twice.”
“Twice?” I ask.
“The first time, no one would draw me. It was sad and awkward as I stood there naked out in their driveway with no artists available. But if I’ve learned anything over my hundreds of years of life, it’s that if it doesn’t work the first time, do it again. And presto. Casimir drew me.”
“I’m sorry… why were you in the driveway?”
“The only thing that matters is thateventuallysomeone drew me.”
“Isthat the only thing that matters?”
“Of course!”
“Who’d you give it to?”
“Absolutely no one.”
