Page 64 of A Wolf of War
She was cradling two kittens, both tucked against her chest like they already belonged to her. And to be fair, they were adorable. But they didn’t have a pet-friendly household. It wasn’t about the werewolf thing; animals that tolerated dogs usually handled his kind just fine.
No, his reasons were far simpler. He didn’t want creatures in his home that pissed, shit, and shredded furniture for fun.
Still, with her looking at him like that, the hard line he’d drawn started to blur.
She’d started with the guinea pigs, crouching low to offer them a handful of greens the staff had given her. The little creatures squeaked and shuffled closer, and he caught a quiet smile curving her mouth.
From there, she moved to the birds—colorful flashes of feathers behind bars. She tilted her head, listening as one cocked its own head back at her, the twoof them locked in some silent conversation that made her eyes glimmer.
The dogs were next. Big ones, small ones, all pressing to the gate for her touch. She crouched again, letting eager noses bump her palms, laughing when one licked her fingers.
Her joy made his stomach flip.
And then, of course, the cats. She melted for them instantly, scooping one into her arms and letting it curl into her chest for a cuddle it was delighted to have. Watching her like that—open, unguarded, the walls down—it did something to him.
Now he was in a situation he hadn’t prepared for, and he hated being unprepared.
“But they love me,” she whimpered, lifting the kittens until only her eyes peeked over their backs, pressing her face into their soft fur.
“Yes, and I’m sure they’ll learn to love whatever family actually takes them home, Willow.”
She lowered them slowly, and he caught the tremble in her bottom lip.
Oh, no. Please. Not that.
Her eyes glossed over, filling with tears, and she sniffled.
“But they’ll make me happy. And I don’t have anything else that makes me happy because you took it all away from me.”
The words hit like a sucker punch.
She’s not serious. She did not just go there.
He groaned inwardly, but before he could respond?—
“Uhm, hi!”
Both their heads turned toward a shelter worker approaching, waving brightly.
“Sorry, couldn’t help overhearing. Just thought I’d mention that we’ve got a special today. Two kittens for the adoption fee of one!”
Milo’s jaw tightened. He could have murdered her on the spot.
“Perfect! It’s settled, then.” Willow, who had been crouching on the floor, stood with careful grace, both kittens secure in her arms.
“I’ll just go get the paperwork”
With that, the worker strode off.
Milo shot her a look of pure, simmering frustration.
“Y’know,” he said, voice low and flat, “I’m starting to think you actually do want to end up over my knee. Idid warn you earlier.”
He hadn’t even considered what her reaction to those words might be. Hadn’t even thought about whether it might push her too far.
But she only rolled her eyes, slow and exaggerated, before a small smile tugged at her lips as she looked away.
The worker returned quickly with a clipboard in hand, cheerfully announcing she’d “box them up” while they handled the paperwork. Willow practically bounced in place, the kind of giddiness that made Milo’s eye twitch as he began filling in the forms.
