Page 16 of Cursed with Fortune

These are good! That couch looks comfortable. This bed is for a princess. Wait, it says it’s a cat bed. Maybe that was the one he talked about making for me?

The more I studied his work over the last two months, the more familiar I became with it. Each drawing looked unique and incredibly comfortable and sturdy. Some designs reminded me of Hidden Hammer Furniture.

Maybe he’s a designer for them? He never talks about work, though.

I went back to the kitchen and slurped down the cream he’d left for me and then found a sunny place to dream. I missed the waterfall back home and my bedroom in the palace. My parents must be worried about me. After all, it’s been weeks since I’ve seen them last.

They planned a big celebration for my eighteenth birthday and wanted me to announce who would rule with me. I told my parents many times I didn’t want to rule the jungle, and it always fell on deaf ears.

All I’ve ever wanted was to be a fashion designer who changed the world of fashion. And to fall in love. Who wants to marry because of duty? That never makes anyone happy. Just look at my parents.

Sure, my dad was kind and gentle, but he wasn’t a good ruler. People got away with all sorts of shit in the Pride. My mother hated pushing him to do his job and honestly, behind-the-scenes, everyone knew she ruled.

A sigh chuffed out, and I dropped my head on my paws. I could still see designs in my head and hopefully soonsomethingwould give, and I could get them down on paper.

It’s been so long since I’ve been in this form that I resigned myself that I’d always be a house-cat. If that was the case, I had to admit this wasn’t an awful life to have.

Frank’s been very kind, and he smells good, and his voice is soothing. He’s excellent company, and I loved how he talked to me as though I could respond. Plus, the longer I stayed with him, the more I learned he and I had many things in common, one of them being creatures of habit.

I spied on his showers and noticed he bathed himself the same way each time, setting the bottles back from where they came from. He also dried himself the same way.

Being a giant’s pet had perks, too. First was the cream. He always made sure I had a full bowl of it twice a day. Then at night he cooked treats for me. His large hands could give me full pets. He played with me, keeping me entertained.

Plus, I found comfort in curling up beside him in bed and sometimes when he sat in his recliner I braved slinking into his lap. I could honestly say that if I never could shift again, I felt loved and content.

Even when Dr. Red visited and did my checkup. He stayed with me, cooing in my ear and loving me with his hands.

This wasn’t the life I wanted, but all in all, it was good.

I spent the late afternoon napping in my favorite spot, on top of the bookshelf. The sun warmed my skin and fur the best then, but today’s nap ended earlier than normal. I heard the door open and immediately noticed the scent wasn’t Frank.

“Set the vegetables there on the counter, please.” A bossy, grating female voice barked out.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You are free to go.” She dismissed whoever she spoke to.

“Yes, Miss Tammy.”

Tammy? That tart was in my new house? I felt my skin crawl.

Getting up, I went to peek around the corner. There, in the kitchen, stood a giant woman who had the biggest tits I had ever seen. She drummed her nails on the counter, then dashed around, pulling out pots and pans.

I watched as she tripped on my food plate. “Damn it.”

Laughing to myself, I watched her wipe her shoe off. They were gorgeous shoes. The telltale lime green bottom telling me they were from Oz and made by the famous shoemaker, Georgie O’Cobbler.

I would kill for those shoes. Pfft. That’s great, Cilla. You’d kill for a pair of O’Cobblers, but not for the throne.

She picked up my food plate, cleaned it off in the trash, and put it in the sink where I heard the plate break.

Well, I guess I’m not eating any more.My nose cringed up, and I hissed.

“So, you’re the pussy he talks about?” Her voice made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Filthy bitch.” She snarled at me.

I felt my eyes narrow, and I hunkered down, watching while she took the groceries out and set them on the counter.

“Oh, you can glare at me all you want. Once Frank and I get together, he’ll have no need for you.” She went through the drawers and pulled out a knife. “I prefer dogs anyway.”

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