Page 45 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
Cases like his always made me sad. His previous owners had a new baby, and decided that both an infant and a dog were too much work. It was selfish in my opinion. The owners had loved the dog only as long as it was convenient, then abandoned him for the newest shiny thing that demanded their attention.
Illness, allergies, moving to places that didn’t accept pets. Just being unable to care for an animal any longer and wanting the best life for them. All those were reasons I could accept, even if I hated most of them. But there was no way I could get past the loathing of abandoning an animal because they no longer wanted the responsibility.
“It’s ok Bandit,” I said softly, patting the ground beside me in invitation. “Everybody here is nice.”
Instead of approaching, Bandit just laid on the floor where I’d placed him and whined.
It broke my heart, and part of me knew how he felt. The difference was that I knew why my alpha was leaving, and that he would be back. Bandit didn’t understand where his people had gone, why they left him in a strange place, and had no idea that he would never see them again.
“Come on sweetie,” I cooed. “The sooner we get you to open up, the sooner you can be on your way to a new family.”
He did the little eyebrow thing at me, but didn’t bother to lift his head.
“Will you come over here for a treat?” I asked, holding out a tiny bone-shaped dog biscuit.
He studied it, until I finally gave up and crawled over to set it in front of him.
The owners said that he might not eat for a day or so. Apparently he had done the same thing when they’d gone on vacation.
Bandit sniffed at the treat, but refused to eat it.
I returned to my spot against the wall and leaned against it, pulling my knees to my chest.
As far as I knew, Nate hadn’t left the country yet, and I already missed him.
“At least misery loves company,” I murmured, which earned me another half-hearted whine from Bandit.
I was trying to decide if I wanted to try another of my engagement techniques to bring Bandit out of his shell when the door burst open, startling both of us.
I looked up, ready to take Bandit back to his kennel so that a hopeful family and another dog could bond. Then I realized who was standing in the doorway.
“Nate…” I breathed.
“Come with me,” he stated.
“What?”
“You have a passport, right?”
“Y-yes.”
“Come with me, to London.”
“I… I…” I stammered. Everything within wanted to say yes, but there were dogs to walk, and…
Nate crossed the room and knelt beside me. “Please.”
Desire and responsibility clashed inside as I stared at Nate’s expectant face.
A whine broke the silence, then a surprised expression crossed Nate’s face and he looked down.
“Well hello,” he said, picking up Bandit and cradling the dog against his chest.
Bandit replied with a few timid licks to Nate’s jaw.
It was impossible to believe in fated mates, and not recognize a sign when the universe sends one. The man I wanted so much it hurt was right there, holding a dog who had been unwilling to open up just moments before.
Bandit had taken a chance, and I needed to do the same.
