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Copyright The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetarygain, is investigated bythe FBI and is punishable byfines and federal imprisonment.
Pleasepurchaseonlyauthorizedelectroniceditionsanddonotparticipatein,orencourage,theelectronicpiracyof copyrightedmaterials Yoursupportoftheauthor’srightsisappreciated
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsaretheproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorused fictitiously Anyresemblancetoactualevents,localesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental ATeddyBearforPrince
Copyright2023LoreleiM Hart
DigitalISBN:978-1-68361-913-0
PrintISBN:978-1-68361-914-7
CoverdesignbyFantasiaFrogDesigns
PublishedbyDecadentPublishingLLC
TableofContents
OmegasofAnimalsSeries
OmegasofAnimalsSD(withWendyRathbone)
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
Epilogue
AnExcerptfromABear Wolf for Joel
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
AbouttheAuthor
Growingupinfostercare,bear-shifterTeddyneverknewhehadanyfamily,muchlessacousinonlyonestateaway.Whenhe getsthenews,hejumpsinhiscarwithoutasecondthought.Maybethisisthefamilyconnectionhe’sbeenlongingforallhis life HemeetshiscousinandhismateatAnimalsforthefirsttimeandthingsgobetterthanexpected,sohedecidestostayin thedesertforawhile.
LionshifterPrincewasgoingtobeaarockstar.Hisparentsdecidedthatbeforehewasborn,goingsofarastonamehimafter theirfavoritemusician Theonlyproblem hehaslesstalentthanhehasdesiretodevotehislifetomusic,andhisdesireis none.NowPrincehasyearsofeducationinsomethinghenotonlydoesn’tlovebutisn’tgoodat,apileofstudentdebt,andno realdirectioninhislife AtleasthisgrandfatherlovesandacceptshimforwhoheisandgiveshimajobathisB&B WhenheisaskedtoattendananimalrescuemeetingatthefamousAnimalsonhisgrandfather’sbehalf,heexpectstogo,be bored,thenstickaroundforalittleclubaction.Thelastthingheexpectsistoscenthismate…amatewhoisnolongeronthe premises.Nowwhat?
ATeddy Bear for Prince is a sweet with knotty heat MM shifter mpreg romance featuring an omega lion shifter determined to be his own man, a bear shifter looking for family and finding so much more, an adorable grandfather, and oh-so many cats, the night at Animals that changes everything, Karma doing what Karma does best, a true love, fated mates, a sweet baby, some familiar faces from the Omegas of Animals universe, and a guaranteed HEA Each book in this series can be read as a standalone. If you like your alphas hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy today.
OmegasofAnimalsSeries PapaBearforDarius
AMateforHudson
AFamilyforCooper
WoodYouBeMine’
AHoardforFlame
ADenforFinley
AGuyforRye
ADeerforDion
ABunnyforBruce
ABearWolfforJoel
ATeddyBearforPrince
OmegasofAnimalsSD(withWendyRathbone)
TheWolfandBear’sDragonOmega TheRedPandaandHisMates TheDragon,theLion,andTheirUnicornOmega TheOtter,theTiger,andTheirWolfOmega TheChef,theWolf,andtheirPlatypusOmega TheSkunk,theTibetanFox,andTheirWolfOmega TheDragonandDolphin’sBearOmega TheBunny,TheWolf,andTheirKangarooOmega TheOwl,theZebra,andTheirBearOmega
ATeddyBearforPrince OmegasofAnimals By LoreleiM.Hart
ChapterOne Teddy ShifterDNAwasathing.Whoknew?Certainlynotme untilveryrecently.
Growingupinfostercare,IhadnomemoriesoflifebeforeIwasseparatedfrommybirthfamilyanddidn’tevenknow aboutmy“specialness”untilIshiftedintoabearatthirteen Unlikemanykidsinthesystem,Ihadbeenluckytoland,aftera fewpainfulmissteps,withamomanddadwhowantedmeforever,evenwhentheycamedownforbreakfastonedaytofinda bearsittingonthefloorinfrontoftheopenrefrigerator,helpinghimselftoeverything Idon’tknowwhatanyoneelsewould havedone,buttheywaitedwhileIshiftedbackandthenhelpedmeresearchtofigureoutwhathappened.
Parentswhoacceptedmeandwouldhaveadoptedmecouldtheyhaveaffordedit butwholovedmeeverybitasmuch astheywouldhaveachildoftheirownhadtheybeenabletohaveone.I’dhitthejackpotafterrollingsnakeeyes.
Twoblissfulyearswiththemendedinacaraccidentthattookbothoftheirlivesandleftmeclingingtomine.IfIhadn’t beenashifter,Iprobablywouldhavedied,too,andsometimesintheremainingyearsoffostercare,IwishedI’dgonewith them.Onehorrorshowofahomeafteranother.Thelastplacewasmoreofagrouphomefordelinquents,runbyabusive adults,andatsixteenIranaway,preferringtoliveonthestreettobeingbeatenontheregularwithabelt
NotthatIwasabadkid;usuallyIgotintroubleforsneakingouttoshift.Ifthey’dseenithappen,they’dprobablyhave shotme Therewas,afterall,abearheadmountedonthewall
Thefirstfewyearsweretough,especiallybeingunderageandhavingtofindworkwithoutalegitimateaddress. KindheartedpeoplewhowantedtohelpwouldmostlikelyreportmesoIcouldbetossedbackintothesystem.I’dlearnedthat thehardway ButafakeIDhelped AsdidthecornerofagarageImanagedtorentfromsomeonenotsokindbutwhodidn’t giveadamnandwantedthemoney.FinallyaftersavingeverypennyIcould,Igotapromotionfrommyretailjobatthebig-box storetoassistantdepartmentmanagerandrentedmyownstudioapartment
Shouldhavebeengood.Wouldhavebeenokay,actually,ifI’dneverhadthattasteofwhatfamilyfeltlike.Oriftherehad beenanyconnectionsleftwhentheyweregone.Mylate,kindfosterparentshadbeenonlychildrenwhoseparentswere alreadypassedaway,soonceI’dlostthem,I’dlostjustabouteverythinggood.Istoppedrightinthemiddleofmen’s underwearandsockstopulloutmywalletandlookatthepicturethatwasmysolememento.I’dgonestraightfromthehospital tothenextfoster,mybelongingspackedinthetraditionalblackgarbagebag,soIhadn’tevenhadachancetogohomeandlook aroundonemoretime.Getthephotoalbumthey’dbegunofourlittlefamily.AjarofMom’sblackberryjamfortheroad… Blinkinghard,Ifocusedonthepictureofthethreeofustakenatoneofthosecheesymallstudios Therewerebiggerpictures Oneoverthemantel,anotheronmybedsidetable,butsinceIhadn’tbeenabletogobacktothehouse,allIhadwasthe creasedwalletsizetoremindmeofbettertimes.Maybethattheyevenwerepossible.
Ituckedthepictureawayandwenttohelponeofmysalespeoplewithacustomerwhowasinsistingthatthelargepairof men’sspeedo-styleunderwearwasmismarkedbecausehe“always”worethatsize.Barnabywasstandingtallunderthe onslaught,butwhatcouldhesay?Thatthecustomerneededtobeoverinbigandtall?Nothingwrongwiththat,butitwould makeitpossibleforhimtofindunderwearinastyleandsizethathecouldnotonlygetonbutbreathein.
Butthat’swhytheypaidmethebigbucks Twodollarsperhouroverstateminimumwagetokeepthingsrunningsmoothly inmylittlekingdomofthree-packsofboxersandsix-packsoftubesocks.“Excuseme,sir,mayIhelpyou?”
“Areyouthemanager?” No, what my name tag stating Asst Mgr means is king of boxer-briefs
“Yes,Iamthemanageronduty Barnaby,ifyou’dliketogounboxtheitemswarehousebroughtup,I’llhelpMr “Smith.JackSmith.”WhileBarnabybeatfeetfortheothersideofthedepartment,IstuckoutmyhandandshookMr. Smith’s.Ifthatwashisname.Notetoself:Theydon’tpaymeenoughtotouchthecustomer’ssweaty,stickyhands.Evenifmy fosterdaddidsayyoushouldalwaysshakewhenmeetingsomeonenew IdiditmoreasatributetoDad,butevenhewould haveexcusedmethistime.
“Now,Mr Smith Iseeyou’relookingatthesaleunderwear WhileIwon’tsaytheyaren’tgood becauseallofouritems are youstrikemeasamanwholikeshisunderwearcomfortableaswellasagoodquality.”
“Th-that’swhatIwastryingtotellthatfellow.I’msogladtheysentoversomeonewhoknowsaboutthesethings.” IwantedtotellhimBarnabyknewahundredtimesmorethanhedidabout“thesethings,”butthatwasnotwhatIwaspaid todo.Myjobwastomakesurewesoldthingsandthatthecustomerlefthappy.IfImanagedtorescuemyemployeesatthe sametime,atleastnobodywouldfiremeforit “Mr Smith canIcallyouJack?”
“Yes,”hereplied.“Andyou’reTheodore.”
“Correct”OnlymyfriendscouldcallmeTeddy “So,Jack,comewithmeandwe’llfindyoutheverybestwehaveto offer.”
Anhourlater,thediscountthree-packthatwouldhavecuthiminhalfifhe’dmanagedtoevengetthemonhadbeen replacedwithacarthalffilledwithindividuallytaggedboxerbriefsandsocks,allinthecorrectsize,andnoneofwhichwere
onsale.Iwalkedhimtothefrontandhandedhimovertooneoftheself-checkoutassistantssohewouldn’tendupjustwalking awayafterallmyhardwork.
Itwasanythingbutadreamjob,butifIwascareful,Icouldpaymybillsandstillhaveeatingmoney Andsinceitwas lunchtimeandIneededabreakbadly,Iheadedfortheemployeebreakroomandgotmylunchoutofmylocker.Oneoftheways Icouldmanagetoeatwasbybrown-baggingit Whichwashealthieranyway Twoofthestockersfromthegrocerysideofthe storeweregobblingburgersandfriesfromthefast-foodplaceatthefrontofthestoreandgossipingaboutsomething.Ididn’t trytolisten,buttheirburgerssmelledmuchbetterthanmyPB&J,somyattentionwasabitonthemanyway Mybearthought wedidn’tgetnearlyenoughanimalproteininourdiet,butIdidthebestIcould.Onmynextdayoff,we’dtakeatripoutof townandhecoulddoalittlehuntingforhimself.
Iwastryingnottopayattentiontomybear’smemoriesofaparticularlygruesomehuntingsuccesswhenthewordsofone oftheburgereaters,theonewiththetriplepatty/triplecheeseinfrontofhim,brokeintomythoughts.“DNA.That’showthey gotthekiller”
“YoumeanheallowedhisownDNAtobeoutthereforanyonetofind?Iknowitwasacoldcasebutthatsoundspretty dumb”
Triple-burgerguyscoffed.“Ofcourseitwouldbe.Doyouliveunderarock?That’salmostneverhowitworks.Some relativedidit,andtherewereenoughsimilaritiesthattheywereabletotrackbacktohim.Cool,huh?”
Theywentontalkingbuttheirwordsfadedasthewheelsinmymindspun DNA Woulditbepossibleformetofindmy birthfamilythatway?MaybelearnsomethingaboutwhereIcamefrom?IfhumanswereintobankingDNA,wereshifters?I yankedoutmyphoneandbroughtuptheshifter-exclusivesearchengineI’dmanagedtofindnearlybyaccident Sureenough,I foundSDNA,whichstoodforexactlywhatyou’dimagine,andorderedatest.Iftherewasanyoneouttherewhosharedmy geneticscloselyenoughtobefamily,Iwasgoingtotrytoreachthem.Maybemyparentshadn’twantedme,butmaybeasibling orsomeonewould.
MaybeIcouldgetsomeanswers. Orclosureasthehumanscalledit Iwaitedfortheresultstocomein.
ChapterTwo Prince “Areyousureyouwanttogetridofallofthese?”Themanbehindthecounterlookedatthefiveguitars,onecello,one bass,andtwokeyboardsI’dbroughtin.“Thesearen’tjunk.”
ThatmuchIknew Myparentshaddecidedfromthemomentthelittlestickshowedtwolinesthattheirchildwasgoingto beamusicianjustliketheywere.Itdidn’tmatterwhatIwantedorwheremyskillslay;Iwasgoingtomakemyliving performingmusic Fullstop
“Yeah,allofthem.Ineededthemforcollege.”Andnowthatitwasdone,Ineededtogetridofthemtobeabletomove acrossthecountryandawayfromallthisnoise
“Andtheyareallyours.Youdidn’tstealthem.”
Ishould’vebeenoffended,butIwasn’t.Peoplewhohadthiskindofcollectionusuallyusedthemratherthansellingthem toashadyguyinashopwithbarsonthewindows
“Ifyoulook,you’llseemynameeitherdirectlyontheinstrumentsoronthecases.Forsomeofthem,both.”
Hepickedupmycelloandlookedbothitandthecaseover “Sorry AllIseeonhereisPrince Idon’tevenknowwhat schoolthatis.”
Ireachedinmybackpocketandpulledoutmywallet,fishedoutmyID,andhandedittohim Evenafteralltheseyears,it wasstillembarrassingtoadmitthatmyrealnamewasPrince,anditwas1000percentafterthemusicianmyparentswanted metowalkinthefootstepsof.
“Yikes”Atleasthedidn’tpretenditwascoollikemostpeopleattemptedtodo “Sorry,man Listen,I’llberealwithyou Youhavesometop-qualityinstrumentshere,andIcan’taffordtop-qualityprices.Notwithmyclientele.Haveyouthought aboutlistingthemseparately?”
“I’mmovingtomorrow,andIcouldusethecash.”
“Andyoucan’tbringthemwithyou?”
Ihadtoadmittheguywasfarlessscummythanthestorefrontwouldsuggest.
“Idon’twantto.Thiswasmyparents’dream,notmine.”AdreamtheyforcedonmeasakidandoneIallowedthemto forceonmelater I’dbeenfoolishenoughtothinkthatgoingtocollegeforsomethingIhatedwasbetterthannotbeingableto goatall.
WhentheyrefusedtofilloutmyFAFSAwithoutmymajorbeingmusic,Icaved Inhindsight,Ishouldhavetakentimeoff beforegoingtoschoolsoIcoulddothepaperworkwithoutthem.Lessonlearned.
“Ifyou’resure.Remember,youhavethirtydaystopayitbackifyouchangeyourmind.”
“Thanks.”Iwouldn’tbeback,buthiskindnessatleasthadmefeelingbetterabouttheamountofmoneyhegaveme. Hewasright.Theywereworthalotmore.MyparentsmadesureIhadthebestinstruments,thebestteachers,andthebest opportunities TheyweresureIwouldn’tevenneedtogotocollege,thatI’dbesignedbeforeIgraduatedhighschoolandbe livingthefuturetheylaidoutforme.NevermindthatIdidn’tenjoyit,thatIhadtoworktwiceashardasanyoneelsetobe mediocre,and,mostimportantly,theyneveronceaskedmewhatIwanted Ithankedhim,tookmycash,andleftthepawnshop.
“Goodriddance.”
Iwenttomyapartment,theoneIhadfortwomoredays TherewasstillalottodobeforeIleft Mylandlordwaskindof adickand,iftherewassomuchasaspeckofdust,Iwasgoingtobelosingmysecuritydeposit.Ineededeverydollar. Betweenmystudentloansandmyroommatebreakingtheirpartofthelease,Iwasdowntomylastfiftybucksinthebankand themoneyIgotforpawningtheinstruments.ThatwouldhavetogetmebyuntilIstartedmynewjob.
Ididn’tevenknowhowmuchitwouldpay,ifanything Butwithmynearlyuselessmusicdegree,Ihadn’tfoundanything better.And,trustme,Itried.Iappliedtoanythingandeverythingthathadtheremotestpossibilityofbeingadecentfit. Crickets.Myeffortsweremetwithcrickets.
AndthejobIhadatthegrocerystorewasn’tcuttingit Oncetheybeganlimitinghoursandrequiringcompleteavailability Iwasinalose-losesituation.
WhenIfinallybrokedownandcalledmygrandfather,needingsomeonewhowasn’tmyparentstoventto,helistenedand listened,notonceinterruptingmeasIbabbledonabouthowhorribleeverythingwasandhowmyworldwascrashingdownon me Unlikemyparents,mygrandfatherhadalwaysseenme trulyseenmeforwhoIwas,notthepersonImightsomedaybeif onlyIhadtherighttrainingandrightconnections.
Hewasveryunlikemostofthelionsinourpride,whichwasprobablywhyhemovedtothedesertandopenedhisB&B. Myparentswerestillmadathimforthemove,saiditwasshowingalackofsupportforboththefamilyandpridetosellhis placeandgo.
Whattheymeantwasthattheymissedbeingabletousehispropertytohostguestsandhuntopenly
“Comehere,Prince.Ihavearoomforyou,andthereisplentyofworktobedonearoundtheplace.I’mnotgettingany younger,youknow.”
Noonelookingatmygrandfatherwouldconsiderhimanoldman Hewasspryandenergeticandlookedlikehecouldbe myfather’sbrother.ButIdidn’targuewithhim.Hewasonlysayingthattomakemefeelcomfortableenoughtoacceptthejob. AndIdidacceptit,whichwaswhyIneededtospendthenexttwodayscleaninglikemylifedependedonit Whilemy lifedidn’t,mywalletsuredid.
TheDNAcamebacktoshowIwas100percentshifter.I’dneverconsideredotherwise,didn’tknowitwaspossibletobe mixed,butitwasstillgoodtoknow.MybearneverreactedtoanyofituntilIgotthelistofrelativeswithpartialDNA. AlthoughmyparentswerenotonthefamilytreeIwasdirectedto,andIhadnoknownsiblings,whatIdidhavewerecousins Firstcousins,second,third.Once,twiceremoved,andmore.
Iwassittingonthebedinmytinystudioapartment,amicrowavedfrozendinnerbesidemewhenthemessagecamein,and Inevertookanotherbite.Thelistwaslong,thenamesvaried,andunliketherulesIunderstoodforhumanancestorrecords, whenIclickedonthem,Igotusefulinformationlikelastknownaddressandevenphonenumberinsomecases How where weretheyallwhenIwastrappedinthesystem?Foramoment,elationwasreplacedwithrage.I’dbeenalittlekid,notsure quitehowyoung,andwhenIranawayIcouldn’texactlygobackandaskformyrecords.I’dbeenyoung,scared,andI’d alwaysheardthatitwouldbenexttoimpossibletogetholdofthemanyway Now,Iwonderedifthatwastrueorjustoneof thethingskidstrappedinadifficultsituationsaid.
Icouldtrynow,butitdidn’tmatterbecauseIhadawholedifferentagenda I’dfoundmypeopleandcouldaskthemallmy questionsinperson.Messingaroundwiththesite,Ifoundamapfunctionconnectedtothefamilytree.Whenactivated,itcould placeallthenamesinthelocation,ifknown,onanyparticulardate Livingpeopleweregreen,deceasedinasubtlegray They werescatteredeverywherebutthickerinthePacificNorthwest.AndthenIspottedonethenextstateover.Drivingdistance. WarrenUrsa.MostofthemwereUrsas.WasIanUrsa,really?Questionsmultiplied.Whatwasmyname?
IcalledintoworkandsaidI’dtestedpositiveforacertainvirusandneededaweekoff Companypolicymeantthatwas theonlythingtheycouldn’targuewithmeabout.Next,Ipackedaduffelandlockedmydoorbehindme.Therewasaphone numberonthemap,andaninternetsearchshoweditwasforaclubcalledAnimals I’dheardofit Everyshifterhad Itwas thepremiernightclubforshifters,althoughithadanopen-doorpolicyforotherparanormalsandevengarden-varietyhumans. Warrenmustworkthere.
Hewasafirstcousin,accordingtoDNA.Olderthanmebutascloseasanyonecouldbeintermsofgenetics.Ourfathers ormothersmustbesiblings.Iwouldaskhim.Threehundredmilesaway,giveortake…butitfeltlikeforeverdrivingthere.I’d beenintheLasVegasareamywholerememberedlife AndIhadsomanycousins,aunts,anduncles,too,itseemed Didnone ofthemcareaboutme?
TheMikeO’Callaghan-PatTillmanMemorialBridgearchedintothesky,amodernreplacementfordrivingdirectly acrossHooverDam,apleasureI’dneverhadsincethethenewbridgeopenedbeforeIhadacartodrive.Butthenewerroute hadamagicaboutit,andIwelcomedanyopportunitytocross.
Iprobablyshouldhavecalledahead,letmycousinknowIwascoming,butwithsolittleinformationabouthowI’dended upinthesystem definedasnoinformation Iwasn’tsurewhatkindofwelcomeIcouldlookforwardto.Thebestcourseof action,asIsawitforthemoment,wasjusttoshowupandseehowthingswent
Andhopetheywentwell.I’ddefinitelybeenalittlekidlasttimeanyofthemsawme,notmorethanthree,maybeless.On theothersideofthebridge,IwasmakinggoodtimeonmydrivetoAnimals Infact,Iwasgoingaboutthirtymilesanhour overthespeedlimit,desperateforanswersthatIcouldfinallyget.Ieaseduponthegaspedalandturnedonsomemusic.Soft jazztodriveby.IfIgotpulledoverforspeeding,itwouldjusttakemelongertogetwhereIwasgoing.
Idrovestraightthrough,arrivingintheSuperstitionMountainsjustintimeforaspectacularsunset,andGPSdirectedme ontoasmallerroadthatwounditswaybetweenthetoweringcliffsmadeevenredderagainstthedarkeningsky.Asigndirected gueststothemainparkingarea,whichwasemptythisearlyintheevening Mostnightclubsdidn’topenuntilnineorlater,orso Iunderstood,butasecondsignpointedtotheemployeeparking,soIcontinuedonalongtheroadthatclimbedupandendedin anopenspacebehindabuildingthatlookedalmostlikepartofthecliff
AsIgotoutofthecar,thebackdooropenedandawomansteppedout.ShewaitedthereuntilIreachedherthenlookedme upanddown.“Well,you’renotoneofouremployees.”
“No”
Shedidn’tsayanythingelse,andIfeltalittlelikeakidbeingstudiedbyateacher. “I’mlookingforWarren”
“Oh?”Asmallsmileliftedthecornersofherlips,reachinghereyes.“Ishouldhaveknown.Youmustbeoneofthe cousins”
“Whydoyouthinkthat?”Shewasright,but…
“Becauseyoulookawholelotlikethem.Andyoujustkeepturninguphere.Comeoninandwe’llfindhim.I’mKarmaby theway”
“Teddy.”
Ilookedlikethem?Icouldmeetotherpeoplewhowouldsay, Hey, you
followedthewomanintoabigkitchenwherepeoplebustledaroundgettingeverythingreadyfortheevening.Itsmelledso goodinthere,mystomachrumbled,remindingmeIhadn’teatensincebreakfast.
Thewomanturnedaround “Hungry?” Iclappedahandtomybelly.“Oh,didyouhearthat?”
“Notexactly ButIknowyoubears”Shewavedamaninchef’swhitesoverandgavehiminstructionstobringfoodtothe officethenstartedoffagain.Weleftthekitchenandenteredwhatmustbethemainclubfloor.Withtheoverheadlightson,I couldseeintoeverycorner,anditwasextremelywellmaintained,withconversationpits,cocktailtables,andadancefloor A stageheldthefrontoftheroom,instrumentsalreadysetupfortheevening,andaDJboothoverlookedthefloor.Ididn’thave timetoseemorebecauseKarmawasenteringahallway,andIhadtofolloworlosesightofher.“Justdownthisway.”She openedoneofthedoorsandsteppedinside “Warren,yourcousinTeddyishere”
“Nohe’snot.”
Istoppedrightinthedoorway,frozenathiswords Hedidn’twantmehere ButthenIcaughtsightofhim,risingfrom behindthedesk,comingtowardme,andstoppingrightinfrontofme.
“I’mTeddy,andIbelievewearerelated”
“Ohgods.”Hisarmscamearoundmeandhegatheredmeintoaliteralbearhug.Amemorylitinmymind.Iknewwhat thisfeltlike.Iknew…“Karma,he’salive.”Hepulledbackandlookedatme.“YoulookjustlikeUncleEvan.Welooked everywhereforyou Iwasateenager,butIhelped Wethoughtyouweregone,too Wherewereyouallthistime?” Therewassomuchheretounpack.
Wesataroundthesmallconferencetableintheoffice,eatingalltheappsthataserverbrought,alongwithsparklingwater, andsharingwhathappenedthepastcoupleofdecades.MyparentshaddisappearedwhenIwastwo.AndsohadI…andthat wasalltheyknew.Allthosecousins,atleastthoseWarren’sageandolder,auntsanduncles,grandparents…they’dhuntedfor us.
“Lastweknew,youwereallcampinginWashingtonnotfarfromsomeofthefamilylands.Therewasasuddendownpour andaflood,andyourcampwaswashedaway”Warrentookalongdrinkofwaterandleanedbackinhischair “Youwereall gone.”
“Doyouthinkthere’sanychancemyfolksarestill Imean,couldtheyhavesurvived?Youdidn’tfindtheirbodies” Warrenshookhishead,sadnessrollingoffhiminwaves.“Sorry,Teddy,webelievetheywerewashedintotheriverand thenprobablyouttosea.Becauseiftheyhadlived,theywouldneverhavestoppedlookingforyou.Notever.Youwerethe lightoftheirlives.”
Istudiedthetabletopinfrontofme,unabletomeethisgazeandseethepitythere.“Idon’thaveanymemoriesofthem,you know Notone AndIwasalwaysafraidthattheyjustdidn’twantme Fostercarewasmostlynotthegreatest”AndthenIdid liftmyeyes,butIsawnotabitofpity.
Justgrief “Teddy,Iamsosorrywedidn’tfindyou Wethought weassumed andwedidlook Butnowthatwe’ve foundyou,everyonewillwanttoknow.They’llcomevisit.Howlongcanyoustay?”
“Iplannedonaweek.I’mgoingtostayinamotel.”
“Youareverywelcometostaywithus,”Karmaprotested “Wehaveplentyofroom”
“Iwouldrathernotimpose,butI’llcomeeverydayifyoudon’tmind.Iwanttohearallaboutourfamily.Teddyismyreal name,right?”
“Yes,”Warrensaid.
“Whatismylast?”
“Ursa.Ourdadswerebrothers.”
“IguessIknewmyfirstname,butnotthelastifIwastwo.Sothesocialservicespeoplehadtomakeoneup.”Butfrom nowon,I’dbeUrsa HowI’dmakethatworkintheworkworldandstuff,I’dfigureout “Now,I’mgoingtoheadforamotel It’sbeenalongandemotionalday.”
Butso,sogood
ChapterFour Prince IpackedmybeaterwitheverythingthatIwasbringing,readytobeoutofthecityandbeginningmynewlife.Iwasn’tsilly enoughtobelievethatallwouldberightwithmyworldjustbecauseIwassomeplacenew.Itwouldn’tbe,butitwasthestart oftrulybreakingfreeandbecomingthepersonIwasmeanttobeandnottheoneIwasexpectedtobecome
Thankfully,I’dmanagedtosellorotherwisegetridofalmostallofmybiggeritems.Ithadn’tbeeneasy.Theyweren’ttop ofthelinewhennew,butgivingthemawaywasbetterfinanciallythanpayingsomeonetogetridofit
Iclimbedinmycar,rightnearmidnight,havingstayedinmyapartmentuntiltheverylastsecond.Iwasn’tevensurewhy. MaybebecauseIpaidsomuchforitaftermyroomieleftthatitfeltlikeIhadto,ormaybeitwasfearoverthebigchanges cominginmylife.Probablyamixtureofboth.
Afterwaitingfartoolong,I’dfinallytoldmyparentsaboutmyplansthenightbefore.Theydidnottakeitwell,myfather goingsofarastosay,“Wesacrificedeverythingforyou,andyouarethrowingitaway”Ihadnopatiencewiththat,andthey knewit.Itwasn’tasifI’dkeptquietallmylife.TheyknewwhereIstoodandthatIwasunhappy.Theysimplydidnotcare, andthatwasonthem,notme
Iglancedatmyphoneonemoretime,makingsureIhadtherightdirectionsinmyheadforthefirstday,andthenpowered itdown Mycarbatterywasn’tstrongenoughtobedrawingfromitallday,notevensomethingassmallasaphone,andI wasn’tplanningtostopatahotelforthenight.IfIgotreallytired,I’dpulloffintoatruckstopandsleepinthecar.Noway wasIwastingwhatlittlemoneyIhadonahotel.
Mylionhadbeenitchingtobreakfreefordays,andbeingtrappedinthecarwasn’tdoinghimanygood We’dbeableto runfreelyoncewegottoourdestination,butuntilthen,itwasgoingtobeapowerstrugglebetweenthetwoofus.Itwas probablyforthebest Atleastholdinghimatbaykeptmefromfallingasleep
IheldoffstoppingforfoodandarestroombreakaslongasIcould,butwhenthegastankdrainedtonothingandmy stomachwasgrowling,Ipulledintoagasstationthatcateredtotruckers.Iturnedonmyphoneandleftitontheseattopower upasIfilledthetank.WhenIcamebackintomovethecartothesideforthenextperson,thethingwasexploding.
Sure enough, most of them were from my parents.
You really did it
Why are you so selfish?
Call us
We told you to call us.
You ungrateful brat
Then there was one message from my landlord Got your keys Cursory inspection looks good Thatwasit.Nothingmore,likewhenImightgetmymoneyback.Atleasthewasn’tmakinguprandombrokenthingsthat neededdoing Thatwassomething
Iparkedthecarandgotouttostretchmylegsandthengoinandgrabacoffeewhenithitme.Mygrandfatherhadn’tcalled atall Thatmeanteithermyparentswereputtingthefullbruntoftheonusonme,orhewastryingtoprotectmefromtheir anger.
Aftergrabbingacoffee,Ihitthecallbutton.Mygrandfatherpickeduponthefirstring.
“Areyouhereyet?”Hechuckled
“Yep.Andyouaren’tevenhuggingme.”Thatearnedmesomemorelaughter.“Ijustwantedyoutoknowthateverything wentwellwithmovingout,andI’mabout400milesfromyou Ishouldbetherebeforedinner”
“Excellent.Youcantellmewhatpartofyour parents are blaming me for all that is wrong with the world fitsinwith everything went well overroastedchickenandpotatoes”
Theguilthithard.Theonlythingthathadmeconsideringnotacceptingtheofferwasexactlythis:myparentsbeing asshats.
“Iwashopingtheyleftyoualone Sorry,Pop-Pop”
“Nosorrytoit.Theycandiemadaboutit.I’mthrilledyouarecoming.Besafe.”
IpulledinprobablysoonerthanIshouldhave,myfootgettingabitheavyonceIhitthedesertroad TheB&Bwasjustas Irememberedit.Welcoming,quaint,andfullofcats.Oh-somanycats.
“Iseetherearenewmembersofyourfamily”IhuggedPop-Pop
“I’mgladthere’sstillroomforme”
“Always.Evenifyourcatisthesizeofallofmybabiesputtogether.Doyouwanttoseeyourroomfirstorgoforarun?” Hepattedmyshoulder.“Nevermind.Yourlionissoclose let’sgoforarun.”
Wewentoutbacktohis shifting shed andstrippedoffourclothing,leavingitontheshelf Iaskedhimoncewhyhehada separateplacelikethat,andhetoldmeitwastokeephisfurbabiesfromsleepingonhisclothes.Andfairenough,exceptover theyears,headdedacatdoorforthemtobeabletocomeintotheshed Forabigfiercelion,Pop-Popwasasoftyforthose
cats.Theywerehisownerfarmorethanhewastheirs. Heshiftedfirst,andIfollowed.Hisbeastshowedmethepropertylines,likehedideverytime,andthenwewenthunting. Mylionwasn’tahugefanofmostofthelocalcritters,buthelovedtohuntandenjoyedthetimewithourfamily,thesidewho likedusforus.
ItwaswaytooeasytogetcomfortableatAnimals.WarrenandKarmaandtheirstaffweresowelcoming,andIkept gettingcallsfromcousinsIknewonlyasdotsonthatfamilytreemapthingy.Apparentlytheyhadafamilyreunionplannedina coupleofmonthsandallwantedtomakesureIwascoming HeadystuffforaguywhogrewupthewayIhad Themotelwas comfortableandnottoofaraway,butIwasgettingupeverymorningandhurryingovertoseewhatIcoulddotohelp.
Mycousin’smate,Karma,wasthewomanwhohadbroughtmeintomeethim,andwhileshewasnotashifterandnobody wouldadmitshewasanythingelse,nobodycouldmeetherandnotknowshewassomethingmore.Everyoneherelovedher, andshekeptthingsrunningsmoothly Alwaysaprojectinmind,andherpersonalitywassuchthateveryonewantedtohelp AndwhenIarrivedonthisparticularday,itwastofindKarmaandafewmembersofherstaffgettingreadyforafundraiser foralocalanimalrescue.BeforeIknewit,Iwaswayuponaladderhangingonesideofabannerannouncingtheeventwhile shestoodbelowdirectingmetofastenit,“Justalittlehigher”
Weonlyhadacertainwindowtodothingsontheactualclubfloor,butalotofpreparationfortheeventtookplacebehind closeddoorsintheVIProomwherewewerebuildingthebrochurethatwouldbehandedoutattheeventtoeachofthe attendees.Andthiswassuperfun.Ihadacoupleofcousinsworkinginsecurity,asitturnedout.Theywereaway,butIlooked forwardtogettingtoknowthemontheirreturn
Iwasworkingentirelyonavoluntarybasis,butIcoulddefinitelyseewhypeopleenjoyedworkingforrealhereat Animals.TherewasacheerfulspiritofcooperationhereledbyKarmaandbackedbymycousin,Warrenthecustomers seemedtopickupon I’dneverbeenbigintoclubsbecauseIwasn’tcrazyaboutthechaoticatmosphereandmeat-market mentalitytheVegasshifterclubsI’dvisitedoffered,butIsawnoneofthathere.
Whatwasdifferentwastheanyone-can-come,feel-free-to-be-yourselffeelingintheroomwhenitwasopen Shifters couldbewhatevertheywereaslongastheydidn’tbotheranyoneelseortrytoeatthem.TherewasabloodbarforvampsI’d beentoldwasnewandacauldronforthewitches’brew.Onerulethatwaspostedinbigletterswas: No Brooms Allowed. Apparentlysomeofthewitcheshadabittoomuchbrewandflewwhileintoxicated,causingsomeexpensivedamage.
Theycouldflyoutside,though,somewhere.“Wanttotakeabreak?”askedayoungbearshifterwhoIwasfairlysureIwas notrelatedto IthoughthisnamewasHoward “Wecangoforarunandstretchourpaws”
“Idon’twanttoskipoutifI’mneeded.”IlookedaroundforKarma,butthebearwavedawaymyconcerns.
“We’regood Shehadtogotakecareofsomethingintheofficeandwon’tbebackforanhourorso Don’tyouwanta run?”
Mybearwasreadytoforcehiswayoutattheveryidea.“Ido.So,wheredowego?”
“Followme.”HeheadedthroughthekitchenandouttowhereI’dparkedagain.“Justontheothersideofthelot.”
“That’snotacliff,Howard?”Itsurelookedlikeone.Abenchsatrightneartheedge,andI’dseenpeoplesittingthere earlier Also,IwantedtoconfirmIhadhisnamerightwithoutaskingbecauseI’dmetsomanypeople,Iwashavingahardtime keepingallthenamesstraight.
“Oh,yeah,it’sacliff,butthere’satrail It’swheretheemployeesandfamilyandfriendscanletoffsteamandsometimes customers.”Imusthavethenameright,sincehedidn’tcorrectme.
“Isthiswherethewitchesfly?”
Hesnorted “Onoccasion,whentheyagreetobehave Mostlyjustshifters”Hebegantoremovehisclothesandsetthem onanotherbenchadistanceawayfromthedrop,soIfollowedsuitandletmybearout.Ididn’tseethetrailuntilIwasrighton theedgeofthecliff,anditwasluckyIdidn’thaveafearofheightsbecauseitwassteep,abitnarrowish,andhadnorailing WelopeddowntothebottomandHowardtookoffacrossthevalleyfloor.Itwasamazingtostretchoutandrunlikethis,justto befree Inthepast,I’dalwaysbeenfurtiveandstuckclosetotreestoavoidbeingseen,butjudgingfromhowmynewfriend wasbehaving,itwasanonissuehere.Anditwasmagic.WeranpastcactiandlowshrubsandalotofplantsIhadnonames for,hawksflewoverhead,theircriesechoing,anditwasthebestrunI’deverhad.
Puremagic
Iwouldhavegoneallday,butHowardfinallyveeredaroundandheadedback.Weneededtogettoourtaskagain,butit cheeredmeandmademybearhappierthanI’deverknownhimtobe wecoulddothisagainanytime
Atleastuntilwewenthome,butIdidn’twanttothinkaboutthat.
Whenwerejoinedtheworkteam,Karmagavemeawink “Howwasyourrun?”
Istartedtoaskhowsheknewbutthenrealizedtherewereothersoutthere,too,andKarmaalwaysseemedtoknow everything.“Itwasgreat.Bestvacationofmylife,thisweek.”
“Youshouldcometotheevent,”shesaid “Ithinkyou’llenjoyit”
Ilookedaroundatthebeautifuldecorationsthestaffwasputtingtogether,theprogramstheywerestackinginboxes,and everythingelse “Thankyou,butfancyhighbrowthingsaren’tforme”
ChapterSix Prince “Getdressed.”Pop-Pophandedmeacupofcoffee.“Wehaveplacestogoandpeopletosee.”
TheB&Bwasclosedforaweek.Mygrandfatherregularlyblockedoffchunksoftimefornoreasonotherthanhe“wanted tostilllovetheplace”Iwasgladhewasn’tworkingroundtheclocklikeheoncedid Itmademytransitionhereeasieras well.
“People?Can’twejuststayherewithKitandKat?”Iwhinedandtookasipofmycoffee KitandKatbeinghistwofur babies.
“Trustme”Hepointedtowardmyroom “Nowhurry Timeisaticking”
IhadnoideawherePop-PopwantedtotakemeandthrewonjeansandaT-shirt.Ifhewantedbusinesscasual,he’dhave said.Atleast,thatwastheassumptionIrolledwith.Idownedthecoffeeandmethiminthekitchenwherehewasputtingdown freshwaterforthecatsandpromisingthemhe’dbehomesoonwithasurpriseforthem
“Gonnatellmewherewearegoing?”
“What’sthefuninthat?”Heshookhiskeys “Let’sgetoutofhere” Ahalfhourlater,wepulledintothelocalanimalrescue. “Pop-Pop”
Mygrandfatherwasn’tgoingtoleavethisplaceempty-handed.Itwashowhe,atonepoint,hadfivecats.Hehadahabitof adoptingtheoldercatsthatnoonewanted.Itwasgreatforthem.Hetrulygavethemtheirbestlife.Butitwashardonhim becausetheyrarelylivedbutahandfulofyearsafterheadoptedthem “Pleasetellmewearen’theretogetanothercat.”
“Iwon’t”Hepoppedopenhisdoor “Let’sgo” Imethimatmysideofthecar,andwewalkedtogether.“Yousayyouwon’t,andyetwearegoinginside.” “IsaidIwouldn’ttellyou.That’snotthesamething.”
Onceinside,weweregreetedbysomeonebehindalongcounter.Sheshowedusthedifferentsign-insheetsdependingon whywewerethere.Itsaddenedmehowmanynameswereonthelistforsurrenderingcats.Iwassuretheyweren’tallpets beingbroughtin,butlostpetsweren’tahappierstory,inmyopinion
Pop-Popsignedupasaninterestedadopter.“Isawonyoursocialmediathatanewfamilycamein.”
“Wedo,andwe’dreallylikethemtoleavetogether,”shesaid,onlyhalfpayingattention Shechangedhertunewhenhe saidhe’dliketomeetthethreecats.
“Three,Pop-Pop?”Iwhisperedasshewenttograbtheirpaperwork.“Weareheretoseethreecats?”
“Theywerefoundinagaragefire.Theyneedagoodlife,”wasallhesaidaboutthat. Shetookustothevisitorroomandbroughtallthreein.TheywerethescraggliestbunchI’deverseen.Onewasmissing partofanear,theotherapartoftheirtail,andthethirdapatchoffur Nothingaboutthemshoutedtheywouldwinanycutecat contestexcept…theywerethecutestthingsI’deverseen.
“Theyareatadskittish,sodon’tfeelbadiftheyignoreyou ”
Allthreeofthemwereclimbingonmygrandfatherbeforeshefinishedthesentence.
“Ornot.”Shebeamed.“I’llgiveyousometimewiththemtodecide.Ineedtogomakeaphonecallconfirmingsome detailsforourannualfundraiser,butSaraiwillbeatthecounterifyouneedanyhelp”
“Fundraiser?”Pop-Popasked,hiseyesonherevenashewasgivingthecatstheattentiontheywerebeggingfor.
“Yes Animalsisgraciouslyhostingthisyear’sevent I’llleaveaflieroutfrontforyou It’sthemust-attendeventofthe seasonforcatlovers.”Shelookedatme.“Doyoulikecatsaswell?”
“Ireallylovemine”Ididn’tmindcatsasarule
Ilikedthemingeneral,butIwasn’tthecatlovermygrandfatherwas,thatwasforsure.Atleastnotyet.Theonewiththe missingfurhadjustcomeoveranddecidedtomakemeherservant,anditwasalreadyworking.
“Thenyoushoulddefinitelyattend Itissupposedtobethehottestspotintheregion ifyoucangetin Andifyoubuy ticketstothefundraiser,yougetin.Ithinkthat’swhywesoldhalftheticketswehave,honestly.”
Animalswasashifterclub,soitdidn’tsurprisemethatlocals,humansspecifically,thoughtitwasdifficulttogetin For them,itprobablywas.A$200aticketevent,orwhatevertheycost,soundedlikealottopayjusttobeoneofthecoolkids. Buttoeachtheirown,anditdidhelpagoodcause
“Thanks,”Isaid,andsheleft.
“Theydon’thavenames.Youbetterthinkofoneforyourfellaoverthere.”Pop-Popindicatedthecat,whowasnowsitting onmyshoulders,herbellyflushagainstmyneck
“Shesaidtheyneedtogotogether.”
Henodded,confirmingwhatIalreadyknewwouldhappenwhenwewalkedinthesmallroom
“Sotheirnamesshouldgotogether,right?”Iasked.
“LikeSnap,Crackle,andPop?”Heimmediatelyshookhishead.“Thatwon’twork.Popistooclosetomyname.”
“WhataboutApollo,Zeus,andAthena?”Theywerebadasslittlecrittersanddeservedequallybadassnames “Iloveit.”
Pop-Popfilledoutthepaperworkfortheneweditionstoourfamilyandtooktheflierforthefundraiser Partofitincluded anauctionofdonations,andheplannedtodonateaweekattheB&B.Healsopushedmetogo.ItoldhimI’dthinkaboutit.
“Athena,you’regoingtoloveyournewhome,”ItoldthenearlyasleepcatonmylapasPop-Poppulledintothedriveway “IknowIdo.”
Myweekwasgoingwaytoofasttosuitme,andIwasstartingtowonderwhyIfeltsodeterminedtoreturnhome.What didIhavewaitingformethere?Pullingintotheparkinglotonthedayoftheanimalrescueevent,itfeltwaytoonaturaltobe here IhopedthatWarrenandKarmawouldwelcomemebackthenexttimeIhadsomevacationaccumulatedbecauseI couldn’timagineabetterplacetovacation.Infact,I’dheardthatthenextUrsafamilyreunionwouldbehere.Win-win.
Therescueeventwasnotforafewhoursyet,butIwasheretohelpwithallthefinaldetails Arrivinginthekitchen,the chefsallwavedandcalledmyname.“Teddy,cinnamonroll?”WhenI’dattemptedtoprotestallthefoodtheywereoffering me,Karmatoldmetoeatupandnothurttheirfeelings
“You’refamily,Teddy.Iwishyou’dstayhere,butatleastletusfeedyou.”
SoIdid.Icouldn’tlieandsayitdidn’thelpmenottohavetobuyfood,butmorethanthat,everythingwasdelicious.Well prepared,greatingredients,overallthetastiestmealsI’dhadsinceMomandDad sincethey
“You’retakingaroll,yes?”Karmahadappearedatmyelbow.“Iam.Comesitdownandhavecoffeeandwecantalka fewminutesbeforewegetcaughtupinalltherushofaneventday”Shesatattheroundstafftableofftotheside,andthechef cameoverwithcoffeesandrolls.“Theselookgreat,thankyou.”
Nomatterwhatjobsomeonehad,management,janitor,cook,anything,Karmaalwaysspoketothemwithrespect Toher, allmembersoftheteamwereequallyvaluable,whichwasprobablyasmallpartofwhytheyadoredher.Surewasdifferent fromthejobIhadwaitingformeathome.
ItookalongdraughtofthecoffeeI’dhadsetinfrontofme,preparedjustthewayIlikedit “Younoticed?”Ismiledatthe chefbeforetheywalkedaway.“Yourpeopleare…”
“Thebest”Karmapickedupaforkanddugintotheroll “We’resolucky IknowWarrenhasalotofthingshewantsyou todotoday,butI’mstartingtofeelguiltyforlettingyouhelpoutsomuchonyourvacation.Andforfree.”
“It’sforagoodcause.”Itookabiteaswell.“Andyou’refeedingmeinfood.Reallygreatfood.”
“Hmmm.Stillseemskindofone-sidedtome.Thecompanyyouworkforisveryluckytohaveyou.Ifitwasn’t dishonorable,I’dtrytolureyoutostayhereandworkforus.”
“You’vealreadydonesomuchforme,Karma Mademefeelapartofthings,givenmeaconnectiontofamily Icouldn’t askanymore.”
Wesatquietlythenwhilethekitchenworkersbustledaroundandstaffpoppedinforfood Allstaffateforfreeandnobody arguediftheyhadafriendorrelativewiththem.ThecinnamonrollwasasgoodasanyI’deverhad,butIcouldn’thelpbut wonderifshewasserious.“Karma,I ”
“Karma.”Oneoftheworkerswhowashelpingwiththeeventpokedtheirheadintothekitchen.“Warrenislookingfor Teddy.”
“I’mcoming”Ihoppedupandcarriedmyplateandcuptothesink I’dbeenthisclosetobeggingherforajob Shewas justbeingkind,clearly,andI’dsavedmyselfsomeembarrassment.I’dfoundfamily,andtherewasnothingmorethanthat.I’d visitwhenIcould Andattendthereunion,whichwassuretoblowmymind
Inthemainroom,IfoundWarrensittingatthebar.Allthedecorationsandotherthingswe’dbeenworkingonwerebeing putinplace,andhehadaclipboardinfrontofhim.Mostpeopleusedtabletsnow,butmycousinwasoldschool.“Thereyou are,Teddy Readytoheadout?”
“Yes,whatalldoIneedtopickup?”Ihoppeduponthestoolnexttohisandpulledoutmyphone.“Goahead,boss.” WarrenwentoverthelistwithmewhileImadenotesintheapponmyphoneforthepurpose “Now,someoftheseplaces arehardtofind.Iknowyou’renewtothearea.Doyouneedtotakesomeonewithyoutohelpyougettoallofthem?”
“No I’mprettygoodwithGPS Arethesebasketshandmade?”Everythingtheydidherewastopoftheline,andIknew thatAnimalswasabsorbingallcostssotherescuecouldbenefitfrom100percentofdonations.
“Yes.Karmaisfriendswiththeartist,andtheyarebeingdonated.”
“Gotcha SodoIneedtopayforanythingI’mpickingup?”
“Nope.Everythingiscovered.Youjustneedtosayyou’retherefromAnimalsandshouldbenotrouble.”
WesatsidebysidefortenorfifteenminuteswhilehewentoverthelistitembyitemandImadenotes,buthestillgaveme aprinted-outsheetwhenweweredone.Karmahadmentionedhermatewasoldschoolinalotofways,andthiswasoneof them IonlyhopedthatIcouldfiteverythinginmysmallishcar Inadditiontothebaskets,Iwasstoppingatacharcuterie place,anartist’sstudio,apotteryspot,andothers.
“Okay.”Istoodup,tuckedmyphoneinmypocket,andgrabbedtheprintout.“I’llbebackassoonasIcan.”
“Here”Hetossedmeasetofkeys “BlackEscaladeintheemployeelot Ithinkyou’llneedtheroom” Woo-hoo. What an upgrade!
“I’mfinestayinghereandhelpinggetthingsreadyforthemorning.”
TheB&Bwasopeningagainafteraweekoffand,whileeverythingwasready,itstillfeltlikeabigdealtome.Itwould bemyfirsttimeworkingwhilewehadguests Istillwasn’taltogethersurewhatIwasgoingtobedoing Pop-Popwould dismissmyquestionandtellmewe’ddealwithitwhenthetimecame.
“Or” helookedupfromhisbook “youcangotoAnimals,representtheB&Biftheyneedthatsortofthing,andhave fun.Yourememberwhatfunis,right?”
“Ihadfunthisweek,”Icountered
“Buildingyournewbossacastlefilledwithplacestoscratchandcatniptorubagainstisnotthesameasgoingtoaclub.” Hesetthebookonthetablebesidehim,givingmeallhisattention.
“Ididhavefunthough IlikebuildingthingsandAthenawasreallyappreciative”Shewasbeyondsweet,anditwastrue Iwasherservant.
Pop-Popgavemehisworld-famoussideeye Fine,itwasfamilyfamous,butitwasintense
“Fine,I’llgo.”Ihadwantedtobutwasalsonervous.Animalswasabigdeal.Atleastitfeltthatway.“ButifIdoand comehomeearly,canyouletitbe?”
“I’llevenletitbeifyoudon’tcomehomeuntilmorning.”Hewinked.
“Ewww.You’remygrandfather.Canyounotconjectureonhookupsinvolvingme,please?”
HelaughedandlaughedasIwenttogetready
TheparkinglotwaspackedwhenIpulledin.Itshouldn’thavebeenasurprise.Animalswasknowncountrywidefortheir events Thewho’swhooftheshifterworldwereknowntofrequentthem Thiswasprobablynotatthatsamelevel,beinga fundraiserhumansmightbeinterestedin.Itwasstillgoingtobeamazing.
Aftercirclingthelottwice,Ifoundaspot.Isuspecteditmightbeforstaff,buttherewerenosignssayingasmuch,andit wasthatorgoinghome.TherewasnowayPop-PopwouldbelieveIcamehomeearlybecauseofparking.NotafterItriedto wormmywayoutofitafewtimes.
Alineamilelongsnakedupthecliff Istartedtoheadtowardtheendofit,andawomandressedtoimpresswavedme over.“Doyouhaveaticket?”
“Yeah,Ido”Ireachedintomypockettofishitout “Here”
“JustasIthought.Youcomewithme.”Sheheldontomyticketandledmepasttheline,ignoringthegrumblesofthose who’dbeenwaitingwhatIguessedwasalongtime.Wewalkedrightpasttwobouncers. Irantocatchuptoher.
“IthoughtIlostyou.”
“Nope I’mjustconfused Isn’tthattheline?”Iwashappytobegoinginside,butthelastthingIwantedwastopissoffa shifterwhofeltIcutinfrontofthem.
“Youdonated That’sadifferentkindofticket”ShemademepromisetoaskforherifIneededanything “Welcometo Animals.”
“Don’tfeelbad,butwhoareyou?”
“Karma,myfriend Karma”Andawayshewent
Themusicwaspumping,anddrinkswereflowing.Iwasn’tsurewheretostartanddecidedtowalkaroundandgetafeel fortheevent Iworkedmywaytotheroomwheretheauctionwasgoingtobewhenmylionpoppedupandstartedtopay attention.
What?
Mate. Here. Mate.
You scent our mate? Iinhaleddeeply.Thereitwas,swimminginaseaofahundredsofothers.
Find I’m on it.
Itwasfareasiersaidthandone Thefood,thealcohol,theperfumesandhairproductsofthehumansandallofthe differentshiftersfloodedmysenses.Buthewasthere mymate andonceIgraspedontohisscent,Iwasabletofollowhim. Throughthecrowds,intoastaff-onlyarea,andeventuallystraightoutside Ididn’tgiveupthere Ifolloweduntilit disappeared.
“No.No.No.No.No.”Ishookmyhead,refusingtoacceptthiswastrue,thathecouldbegone. “You”
Iturnedtoseeabearofaman uponfurtherscenting,hewasactuallyawolf.
“Karmaaskedmetocomeandgetyou Shewantsyouonstage Theywouldlikeyoutotalkaboutyourdonationandget
Crappity, crap, crap, crap
IfIthoughttherewasevenaninklingofashotatfindingmymateandthathehadn’tgottenintoacaranddrivenoff,I’d haverefused.Buttherealitywasslappingmeintheface:Mymatewasgone.
IfonlyIhadcomeearlier
“Okay.”Ifollowedthemaninside,mybrainfloodingwithideas.Ifhecame,chanceswerethathe’dcomeagain,right?It wasn’tasifthestatewasfloodedwithshifterbarsand,evenifitwas,theywouldn’tcomeclosetobeingofthecaliberof Animals.Andifhewascomingback,thenIneededtobethere.
Mygrandfatherwouldunderstand.Iwasn’tworriedaboutthat.And,really,mostalloftheworkdoneattheB&Bwas duringtheday Thenighttimewasn’tgoingtobeaproblem
Wasitagoodplan?Notevenclose.ButitwasthebestoneIcouldformulateasIfollowedthewolfbackintothecluband overtotheauction
TimetopushthistothesidethebestIcould.Therescuemeantsomethingtomygrandfatherandtomyself.Mymate mattered,butsodidthis
OnceKarmaintroducedme,Iwenttothemike,thelightsmakingitnotsoeasyformetoseetheaudience.
“Goodevening,everyone.Thankyouforcomingouttosupportourlocalrescue.Ishouldprobablybetellingyouabout howamazingmygrandfather’sB&Bisinordertoencourageyoutobid Butinstead,IwanttotellyouaboutAthenaandhow herlifewaschangedbytheamazingrescuethatbroughtusallheretonight.”
Imanagedtoaccomplishalltheerrands,includingpickingupaveryspecialpairofearringsfromajewelerwhodesigned themjustforthisevent.HeinsistedthatIlookinsidethelittleboxbeforeIcarrieditoffandbeamedwithpridewhenmyjaw dropped Delicatecatfaceswithtiny,deep-greenemeraldeyeslookedbackatme “They’rethemostbeautifulthingI’veever seen,”Ibreathed.Youmadethese?”
“Idid”Thejewelerliftedhischinhigher “Justfortheanimalrescue Iwanttoshowyousomethingelse”Hepusheda curtaincoveringadoorwayasideandcalled,“Comehere,Bast.”AcatthatcouldonlybeaSiamesestalkedintothefrontof theshop Eyesthesamecolorastheonesontheearringsleftnodoubtastohisinspiration “Isn’thegorgeous?”
“He’selegant,too.”Ireachedforthefeline,buthemovedonpast,ignoringmecompletely.
“Hecamefromtherescue,andhe’sthebestcompanionIcanimagine.Mymatepassedawayacoupleofyearsago,andI wassolonely”
Icouldfeelthepainstillsimmeringunderthesurface,butthebeautifulcatcameandroseonhishindlegstopresshis pawsonthejeweler’sslacks,andhebenttopickhimup “He’snotafullSiamese,buthethinksheis”
ItuckedtheboxinmybackpackforsafekeepinganddrovetheEscaladebacktotheclub,ladenwithdonationsandfood andbaskets ThenIhelpedwiththelastofthesetupbeforeheadinghome “Areyousureyouwon’tstay?”Karmaasked “I thinkyou’llenjoyit.”
“No.Butthankyou.I’llseeyoutomorrow.”Ikindofdidwanttostay,butI’dneverfitin.Thechampagnewaschilling, andtheappetizerswereladenwiththingsIcouldn’tevenpronounce Theonlythingthatmadesensetomewasthecharcuterie board,whichessentiallyheldthingslikesalamiandcheeseandfruitsandnuts.
“Okay,then Iwon’ttrytoconvinceyouanymore”Sheturnedherattentiontothebarsetupwithitsrowsofglassesand bottles.“Haveagoodnight,Cousin.”
IstartedtoprotestthenrecognizedsomethingIhadn’t.NotonlywasWarrenmyrelative,butduetohermarriagetohim, Karmawasalsomycousin.I’dreallyhittherelativejackpothere.AndI’donlymetafewsofar!
Backatthemotel,Ireachedintomybackpackforsomethingandmyhandclosedaroundasmallsquarebox.Ohno.The earrings I’dforgottentotakethemoutatAnimals,andWarrenhadtoldmetheyweregoingtobeabigdraw Therewas nothingforitbuttoturnaroundanddrivebackinmyclunkycar.Buttheeventwasalreadygettingstarted,andIwantedtolook morelikeIbelonged,soIchangedtoabutton-downshirtandslacks Imightnotfitinwiththefancyfolks,butIdidn’twantto embarrassmycousins.
Idrovepastthepublicparkingarea,notinghowfilleditwas.Ifeachofthosewhoparkedtherebidonitemsormadea donation,itwasgoingtobebigsuccessfortheanimalrescue.Isurehopeditwould.Seeingthejewelerwithhissemi-Siamese hadshownmehowwhatbenefitedtheanimalscouldalsobeagreatthingforthosewhoadoptedthem.Themanlitupwhenthe catputthatpawonhisleg
Thekitchenwasbusyasalways,andIpassedthroughwithawavetothestaffandheadeddownthehallwaytowardthe mainroomfromwhichabuzzofconversationemerged Entering,IwasgladI’dchangedbecausewhileitwasnotformal, everyonelookedlikethey’dputsomerealeffortintotheirappearance.Theymovedfromtabletotable,lookingatitemsupfor bid,speakinginexcitedvoices,anddroppingtheirbidsintosomeoftheitemsthatKarmahadexplainedwerepartofasilent auction
Butthemainthings,thoseexpectedtogarnerlargeramounts,wouldbepartofanactiveauctionwithKarmaactingas auctioneer IapplaudedthechoiceofherbecauseIsuspectedshe’dbegoodatgettingpeopletodigdeepandcontribute Shewasstandingonstagenowandcallingsomeoneuptotellabouttheirdonation.Imoveddeeperintotheroom,looking forsomeonetogivetheearringsto,butthenascenttickledmynose Dustygrassesandsweetwater Wherewasitcoming from?Clutchingmybox,Ilookedaround,mybearsuddenlywideawakeandonfullalert.Hisgrowlrumbledinsideme. Thescentwascomingfromnearthestage,andIfollowedit,desperatetoseewhoitcamefrom.Ihandedofftheearrings toaworkerasIwentbutthencontinuedforward Karmaturnedtoclapasamantookthestage Butnotjustaman Notan ordinaryman…no.Alion.Igottothebaseofthestairsandclimbedthem.Ididn’tevenstoptothinkhowinappropriateitwas todothisbecauseIcouldonlygettohimasfastaspossible Icrossedthestage,andtheman’swordstrailedoff Hefacedme Iclosedthelastofthedistance,andwelookedatoneanother,neitherbreathing. Thenwesaiditatthesametime “Mate”
Everyonecheeredandthunderousapplauseshookthefloor.ThemanhandedthemicrophonetoKarmawhosaid,“I’m openingthebiddingfortheB&Bpackageattwothousanddollars.”Iwasvaguelyawareofthebiddingbehindme,ofoneafter anotherraisingtheprice Itwasabiddingfrenzyformymate’sdonation AndIwasproud Wedescendedthestepstogether,mymateandI,andmadeourwayhandinhandoutofthemainroom,throughthehallway, andintothekitchen Itdidn’tmatterwhereweweregoing Wewouldgotheretogether
Icouldn’tgetoutoftherefastenough.Igrabbedmymate’shandandlethimleadmethroughthebuildingandintoplacesI wassureIwasn’tallowed.DidIcareenoughtoaskhimifweshouldbedoingthis?Absolutelynot.Mydesiretoseehisbear, forthetwoofustoruntogetheroutweighedallofthat
“It’saroundhere.”Hetugged,andIfollowed.Ithoughtweweregoingtobeshiftingoutside,butthenheopenedadoor thatledtoaroomIhaddifficultyunderstanding “Areweinsideorout?”
Thedoorclosedbehindus
“It’safauxcourtyard.MycousinandhismatesaidIcoulduseitwheneverIwant,andIdon’tthinkIwanttoshareyoujust yet.”Hepulledmeintohisarmsforalonghug,scentingmedeeplyoverandoveragain.
“Iwouldn’thaveguessedthiswasapoolifIhadn’twalkedthroughthedoormyself”Iwasn’treadytoletgo,butmylion wasbeggingtogetout.“Doesyourbearlikethewater?”
“Helovesit,butwecanjustusetherestofthespace Iknowcatsandwateraren’tthebestoffriends”Henuzzledintomy neck.“Ifwedon’tshiftsoon,I’mgoingtobetoodistractedtorememberwhywearehere.” Iwasalreadythere
“Let’sdothis.”Isteppedback,immediatelyfeelinghisloss.“And,fortherecord,mylionlovesallthingswater.” “Andyoucametothedesert.”Hechuckled.
“Longstoryshort Iwenttoschoolforthewrongthingandcameheretoworkformygrandfather”Itwasthemegaabbreviatedversion,buttherewouldbeplentyoftimeforthefullonelater.
“Ican’twaittoswimwithyou”Hepulledhisshirtoverhishead,andallthoughtsofswimmingvanished Iwantedtolean inandtraceeveryplaneonhisbodywithmytongue.
Instead,Itookmyownclothesoff,mylionthreateningtobreakthroughwhetherornotIwasdressed.
Bothofusnaked,Itookmybeastfirst.Hewantedtoletoutaroar,toshowourmatethathewasafiercebeast.Iwasn’t surethatwouldbeallowedinhereandthreatenedhimwithbeinginourskinifhedidso.
Mymatewatchedme,hiseyesfilledwithappreciationformyform “YouarethemoststunningcreatureIhaveeverseen” Hetookastepforwardandrubbedhischeekagainstthesideofmyhead.“Wow.”
IfIcould’vepurred,I’dhavebeendoingso Notevenforaseconddidheshowsignsoffear,somethingIcommonlysaw wheninmyfuraroundothers.Eventhelargeranimalswerefearfulofmybeast.Ifonlytheyknewwhatacompletehousecathe wasunderthetoughexterior.AthenawasfarmoredangerousthanI.
“Mybearneedstocomeoutnow.”Hewalkedafewstepsawayandoutcamehisanimal.
HewastallerthanIthoughthewouldbeanddidn’tresemblehisnameatall.Thiswasnoteddybearstandinginfrontof me Hewasstrongandpowerful Hewasmagnificent
Ourtwoanimalscametogether,scentingeachotherandthenputtingourscentallovereachother.Therewassomething bothprimalandsexyaboutthat Andwhenourbeastsdecidedourrollingaroundtogetherhadmadeenoughofamarking,my liontookoff.
Thetwoofuschasedeachotheraroundtheroom.Itwaslarge,andwehadagoodtime.Itwasn’tthesameasoutside,but itgaveusallthefeelofbackwhereIusedtolivewithnoneofthebugs Itwasawin-winforme
Idoveintothewaterfirst.Itwascoolenoughtobeinvigoratingbutwarmenoughthatmyhumanformwouldprobablynot mindit Teddyjumpedinafterme HewaslessagileinthewaterthanIwasbutheldhisown Weplayedintherelikekittens andcubs,splashing,diving,andchasingeachother.Icouldn’trememberatimewhenIhadsomuchfuninmyfur.
Aswithallgoodthings,itwastimeforustogetout,fartoosoonformyliking Noonesaidwehadtoleave,butsomeone camein,apologizedforinterrupting,andleft.Itookthatasasignwe’dusedthespacelongenough.
Thenicethingaboutshiftinginone’sfuristhatassoonasIshiftedback,Iwasdry.Hardanddry,butthehardnesshad nothingtodowithbeingashifterandeverythingtodowiththesexybearshifterinfrontofme
“Theycould’vecomein.”Igrabbedmyboxerbriefsandslidthemon.“Ifeelbad.”
“Don’tfeelbad He’sapolarbear,andthereisacoolerpoolforhimontheothersideoftheproperty”Hepulleduphis jeans.“Andhewould’veaskedtojoinusifhewaslookingforcompany.”
“Doyouknoweveryonehere?”
“Notyet,butI’mlearning.MycousinismatedtoKarma.”
“Karma.”Ofcourseitwasher.“ShewastheonewholedmeinsidewhenIgothereandtheonewhosentsomeoneto comegetmewhenIfollowedyourscentandthoughtyouweregone”
“Thatchecks.”
Ilookedathim,abitconfusedbywhathemeant
“Mycousinandhismatewilldenyituntilthecowscomehome,butshehasawayofhelpingpeoplefindeachother.”He finishedputtingonhisclothes.“Readytogosomeplaceandtalk?”
“I’mreadytogosomeplacewithyou,buttalkingisn’twhatIhadinmind”Igrabbedhisshirt,pulledhimtowardme,and sealedourlipstogether.
Iwashome
ChapterEleven Humanswouldneverunderstandhowthiswent.IknewthatbecauseIgrewupintheirworld.Sure,somepeoplehadwhat theycalledone-nightstands,usuallymeaninglesssexthatIpersonallythoughthappenedoutoflonelinessmorethanhorniness. Couldjustbeme AndthefactthatI’dhadsolittleexperienceinwhatmademetick Mybearwasanythingbutchatty,untilI’d arrivedhere.Andespeciallytonight.
I’dhadmorecontactwithpeoplelikemethisweek,learnedmoreaboutwhatIwassinceIgottoAnimalsearlierinthe week.Anditwasn’tasifanyoneattemptedtoschoolmeorsignmeupforaclassonhowtobeabearshifter.Morethatthey werejustbeingthemselvesandindoingso,showingmehowmuchIhadalwaysbeenmyself
I’dalwaysjustfeltlikeasquarepeg.CharacteristicsIobservedherehadnotbeensowell-receivedfromastubbornkid growingupinfostercare.MomandDadexcepted,thosewhowereinchargeofmycarehaddonetheirverybesttosuppress mymore“objectionable”characteristics TheyallknewbetterwhatIneeded,howIshouldbehave,andwhileIgotexcellent gradesatschool,myreportcardsreflectedachildwhodidn’thaveaneasytimesocially.Ihadfewfriendsandnonevery close Partly,ImovedalotandkeptendingupindifferentschoolsbeforeIcouldformstrongbonds,butalso,Iwasn’tgoodat it.Ididn’thavetherhythmofeasyconversation.Didothershiftersgothroughthis?Noidea,butinjustafewdays,I’dgrown torecognizethatitwasn’tthattherewassomethingwrongwithme Orwiththeotherkidsinschoolormycoworkers
Becauseinthisshorttime,I’dlearnedwhatitwaslikenottobetenseeveryminuteofthedayandnight.Andboydidit feelgreat.Andthen,whenIwasthankingthegodsforwhatI’dalreadydiscovered,Ifoundmyselfonstageinfrontofa roomfulofwell-dressedshiftersandotherswhoweretheretohelpananimalrescue I’dneverbeenonastageofanykind, preferringtostayinthebackground countertowhatI’dbeguntoseeotheralphasdo.Butonescentofmymatebroughtthat partofmeroaringout,andanothermomentapartwasamomenttoolong
Afterourkiss,we’ddoneallthecourtingashifterneeds.Iknewthatwithoutanyonetellingme.Westartedfortheparking lot,ourhairstilldampfromourswim.“Mycarokay?”
“Sure.”Heleanedintome.“Whereshallwego?”
“I’mstayingatamotel,butwouldyourathergotoyourplace?”
“Themotelisgood Iworkandlivewithmygrandpa”
Ikissedhischeek.“Agreed.Iwantyoutofeelfreetocryoutmyname.”
Helaughed,buthisbreathhitched,andIhelpedhimintomycar,wishingI’dacceptedguestquartersfrommycousins Theywereallsetinthecavesbehindtheclub,withthickwallsforprivacy.But,moreimportantly,theywerepractically soundproof.OrsoI’dbeentold.Butfornow,anyothermotelguestswouldhavetodealwithwhateversoundswecreated.
Themotelwasaboutfifteenminutesaway,butwiththescentofourmingledarousalfillingthecar,itfeltalotlonger.And whenwearrivedatthemotel,wewerebothsoready,ourclothesjustseemedtomeltaway andbarelyinsidethedoor.
MymatingurgeflaredhigherwhenIplacedmyhandsonhishipsanddrewhimtowardme Hiscockstoodoutsoproud, thecleardropletofpre-cumsparklinginthelightfromoutside.Icouldn’thelpdroppingtomykneestoguidehimtowardmy openmouth Thesaltofthedroplethitmytonguebeforethefulltasteofmymatebloomedonmypalate Sweetandsaltyand warm,andhismoansechoedaroundus.Isuckedhiminandusedmytonguetostroketheveinthatrandownthesidebefore lettinghimslideoutenoughtonibbleatthehead.Iworkedhiminandoutuntilhiskneesbuckled,andIcaughthimjustintime toeasehimontothemattressbutneverreleasedhimfrommymouth Itookhimdeeperintomythroat,growlingaroundhimand thatmadehimcryoutmynameandspurthisdeliciouscumintomymouth.
Risingfrommyknees,Ipushedhisapartandfelthishole,findinghimsoslickandreadyforme Ifittedtheheadofmy cockthereanddroveintohiswillingbody,pausinghalfwayintosavorthetightnessandmassageofhisinteriormuscles.Then Ipulledbackandpushedinagain Andagain Andagain Myeyesflutteredclosed,allmyattentionontheflexandrelease,the tightgripofhimuntilIcouldn’tholdbackanothersecondandshouted,“Gods,”ashistightassmilkedmeofeverydrop.
Ihungoverhimforalongminuteasmyknotswelled,bindingustogether.I’dneverknottedbefore,butI’dneverbeenwith anothershifter andneverbeenwithmymate Butthistime,Ibentandsankmyteethintohisshoulder,piercingthefleshand tastinghisblood.Markinghimasmine.
Iwokewithastart,myphoneringing.IhadmutedeveryonebutPop-Pop,somygutreactionwasthattherewasan emergency.Iflewfromthebedtofindmypantsandfishoutthephone,answeringonthesecondring.
“Areyouokay?”Ididn’tbotherwithnormalgreetings
“Areyou?”Mygrandfathersoundedmoreamusedthananythingelse.
“Yeah Ijust Sorry,thephonerangandI what’sup?”
IglancedatthebedtoseeTeddylookingexpectantly.Thesheetfallenfromhisbody,hisnakednessnotthedistractionI neededwhenonthephonewithPop-Pop
“Idon’tknowwhatyoudidlastnight,but ”
“Ishouldhavecalled.I’msorry.”Myfacewasburning.Iwasn’takid,obviously.Butthatdidn’tmeanIdidn’towethe guytherespectofaphonecall
“Wouldyouletmefinish?”
Ididn’treplysohecould,infact,finish
“Idon’tknowwhatyoudidlastnight,butmyphonehasbeenringingoffthehooktodayforreservationsandpossible events Ihatetoaskyouthis,butcanyoucomeandhelpmeoutforawhile?”
“I’llbethereasap.Iwassupposedtobeworking.Ididn’tmeantosleepin.”NotthatIknewwhattimeitwas.Three minutesearlier,Iwassoundasleepinmymate’sarmsafterthemostmind-blowingnightofmylife.
“I’dfeelbad,butyouaretoblameforthis,”heteased “ThemostcommonquestionIwasaskedwasaboutAthena” Andnowthepieceswerefallingintoplace.Myspeechhadearnedhimmorethanahighbidonhisdonation.Itgotpeople talking Huh Howaboutthat
“I’llbetheresoon.Loveyou.”
“Loveyou,too.”
IgotupoffmyspotonthefloorandjoinedTeddyonthebed.“Ihatetoupandleavelikethis,butmygrandfatherneeds somehelpattheB&B.”
“IsitclosertothisplaceortoAnimals?”
Crap.I’dforgottenhedroveme.
“Here”
“Then,let’stakeashower,andIcandriveyouthere.We’llfigureoutyourcarlater.”Hetookmyhandinhis.“I’mnot quitereadytobeawayfromyouyet.”
Weshoweredseparately,knowingfullwellthatifwewereintheretogether,we’dhavetakentwiceaslong,anddroveto theB&B.
Thenewguestswouldn’tbearrivingforafewhours,andtheparkinglotwasempty
“Thisplaceisadorable.”Teddypulledintoaslotnearthefrontdoorandturnedofftheengine.
“Thanks It’sveryNewEnglandmeetsthedesert”Whichwaswhatgaveitacertainappealthattheotherplacestostay aroundheredidn’thave.“Thanksfortheride.”
“Can’tgetridofmethatquickly.”Heunbuckledhisseatbeltandcrackedthedooropen.
Thepolitethingwould’vebeentoargue,tolethimknowIdidn’tneedhisfreelaborjustbecausewespentthenight boning.ButIwasn’treadytolethimgo,either,andthetwoofuswalkedinhandinhand.
AthenacamebarrelingdownthestairsassoonasIarrived
“Didyoumissme?”Isquatteddown,andshejumpeduponmyshouldertoperformherfavoriteactivity,thelivingcowl.
“Sheiseverythingyousaidshewas”Teddyreachedout,andshelookedathim,almostdaringhimtotryandpether “Maybenexttime,sweetgirl.”
Mygrandfathercameoutofthekitchen.“Youbroughtafriend…amate.Well,don’tIfeelliketheworstgrandfatherever now”HereachedoutahandtoTeddy Pop-Pophadpickedupsomanyhumanquirkssinceopeningthisplace Ikindofloved it.
“Thisismymate,Teddy Imethimlastnight,andheofferedtocomeandhelp” Thetwoofthemshookhands.
“Thisisareallycoolplace Ilovehowitfeelslikeitbelongsontheoceanwhilebeingasfarawayasyoucouldbe” Pop-Poppattedhisshoulder.“Yougetthisplace.Now,letmeshowyoutwowhatneedsdoingbecausethereisalist.” Hewasn’tkiddingaboutthelist.Whilemygrandfatherdealtwithalltheschedulingandphonecalls,TeddyandIchecked inalloftheguestsastheyarrived,madeandservedtheafternoontea,andtookcareofthefurbabies
Therewerealsosomerandomoddsandendsthrownin.Itwasn’tuntilthelastguestcheckedinthatIsawthatthiswasn’t alistcreatedforus Thiswashisdailyto-dolist Pop-Pophadn’tofferedmethejoboutofpity Heneededthehelp Howhe
