Page 92 of Mongrel
To Bowie.
Chapter 28
Whining, I pace outside the massive double doors of Bowie’s family estate. I really should have considered the consequences of sprinting here as a wolf. If I shift, I’ll be naked, which is awkward. So I haven’t shifted, and now the servants are faced with a lovesick predator pining at their door. Also awkward.
Short of howling outside Bowie’s window, I’m not sure what else to do.
I’m seriously considering it when Cecily throws open the doors and saves me, much to the servant’s disapproval.
“You can’t let a wolf into the house!” he protests.
“This one’s friendly,” says Cecily, bossy as ever. “And he’s not here for us anyway. He’s here for Bowie.”
“For Bowie?” The servant flutters around nervously, torn between protecting his charge and protecting himself, and obviously wondering why neither course of action seems necessary.
“Come along. I’ll open the doors for you.” Cecily starts down the hall for the stairs.
I trot behind her gratefully, leaving the frazzled servant behind.
We hurry up to Bowie’s room. Cecily gives me a quick pat along my shoulders. “I knew you’d be back, buthedidn’t. You naughty wolf. You’ll have some explaining to do. Good luck.”
I whimper-sneeze as she pushes open the door so I can slip inside. I owe her one.
Bowie’s glorious scent overtakes me. I breathe it in greedy gulps. He’s washed with that lovely rosewater and lavender soap and smells just like he did the night we met. His scent is like home. Even though we’ve only known each other for a season, I feel as if it’s been a lifetime.
He lies on his back, covers pulled up to his chest, dark hair haloed on the blue satin pillow, hands peacefully resting on his stomach. Prettier than a picture because he’s real, and he’s mine.
Overcome with love for him, with regret that I left him confused, and with emotions I can’t quite categorize, I hurry to leap onto the bed.
Bowie startles awake, but when I press my snout into his daintily curled hand, he settles. His hand slides over my fur.
“Andras.” The way he breathes my name seizes at my heart and warms my soul.
I snuffle my apologies against his chest. He buries his hands in my ruff and rubs my neck.
“Shift for me. Please?” That’s my Bowie, always so polite.
I should have known he wouldn’t let me get away with handling this as a wolf. I won’t deny him, but the wolf must have his way too. Before the shift, I settle on his chest to lick him silly. His neck, his jaw, his cheeks. I get a bit of his silky hair in my mouth, but I don’t even care. I just love the taste of his skin.
Bowie laughs into the caresses. That’s a relief. Not that I thought he’d be mad, but I wasn’t sure how he’d react to my turning up in the middle of the day. The sound of his laughter has me relaxing. I push my snout against his ear and snuffle. He pats my flanks, long, slow strokes that make me want to show my belly.
But I owe him a conversation. When the wolf is content to have slobbered all over him, I shift. The change rolls through me, reshaping bones, stretching my legs and arms, rippling up my spine, and replacing fur with skin. Though I’m still a little nervous, I’m happy to be with Bowie, and I have something very important to say.
When the shift is complete, I lie naked on his chest, unintentionally pinning him down with elbows and knees. The cover is still between us. His cool palms rest on my lower back. My face hovers over his as I gaze on him with adoration.
“I love you,” I blurt out with all the elegance of a pair of dancing rhinoceroses. Then I smash our lips together because kissing Bowie can fix anything, even ridiculously long-overdue love confessions. “I love you so much,” I say into his mouth.
Bowie returns the kiss awkwardly, his lips fighting a smile the whole time. So I draw back to admire his happy expression, his sparkling blue eyes.
There’s more to say, and the words tumble from my mouth in a rush. “I’m sorry I left without you earlier. I wasn’t thinking. Or I was thinking too much because I only wanted to do the right thing and thought your family needed you, but I’m your family too now, aren’t I? And I didn’t realize that you might need me, not until I’d already gone, but I know now. I do. I won’t forget again.”
He grabs my face. Laughs. Holds me still while he laughs some more.
“Bowie?” I start to feel self-conscious.
“It’s all right, darling. Everything’s all right. That’s just the most I’ve heard you say at once, unprompted, and in one breath, perhaps ever?”
I’m just glad he’s still smiling.
