Page 87 of Shaped to Be Yours
Dad and I stopped just outside the den and gave a little woof to announce ourselves. We really just needed to check that no puppies had wandered off and needed to be herded home. At the sound of our arrival, all five members of the newest litter came bounding out to tackle us in play.
The older members of the pack came out slower, bowing and showing submission. We were the real alphas, because the pack’s alpha, Larry, I’d named him—which was a totally cool reference, thank you, after the original 1941The Wolf Manmain character—bowed to us too and even came over to lick my face as his usual sign of submission.
I still didn’t hear words, but I understood him and other animals in a way I’d never thought possible. I didn’t even need to use words myself. With Dad having been here to teach me, it was like a silent conversation that was all instinct.
You and the family good?
Well and happy.
Any weirdoes around?
No one who has ventured too close to our home.
Awesome. Stay safe, buddy. I’ll come play with the puppies again another time.
Dad and I left the wolves, shifted human, and continued toward the house, where Ricky should be returning any minute now.
He wasn’t an intern anymore but an official full scientist as part of Zinnia and Beck’s team. Kai was still working at the library. Even Whitmore was finally on track to return to Elder Ridge and get a permanent position here instead of in Edgewind. I’d really hoped all that time away would mean Kai’s crush would have dissipated, but apparently not, because he was ecstatic atthe news, and hadn’t been dating anyone else in the hopes of one day winning Agent Asshole over.
Well, Agent Not That Big of an Asshole.
No protests had stopped Bina from starting and finishing her senior year of high school, but there had still been a few. There probably always would be. But for the most part the town had learned its lesson about letting things get out of hand. Even Colt Jensen and Ronald McDickhole were trying their best.
I didn’t let the few remaining assholes bother me. They couldn’t bring me down, not when I had Mom, Dad, Ricky, and quite a few other amazing people in my life.
“One sec, Dad,” I said, even though we were almost back to the house. “My phone’s been vibrating so much the past few minutes, I’m afraid it might jump right out of my pocket.”
Dad chuckled and paused while I got out my phone to check it. I had several messages, a few of which were from Cael and Teracht—through text, since I had eventually deleted the Monster Match app. I didn’t need it. But for everyone who had found love through the app, I was happy for them, and in a way, it had helped me find love too.
Cael: Good luck today, Jason. I was nervous when Miles and I went through this with his family. I am sure it will go splendidly.
Me: thx dude
Teracht: I hope you find cohabitation rewarding!
Me: ricky and i have been living together at my parents house for over a year man
Teracht: Having personal space with one’s mate is different! But I am sure you will cohabitate well.
Me: thats the plan!
We couldn’t live in my parents’ basement forever.
I also had a message from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN: Hello, Jason! This is Kyvian, the incubus from Pandora's Books in Gilmer Ridge. Our mutual friend Kai gave me your number. I hope you don't mind! We’re two peas in a pod, bookstore owner and librarian, and what with his folklore knowledge. I don’t suppose you and your father would be up for a call sometime to answer more of my leshy questions?
Me: sure dude. maybe tomorrow? busy day today.
UNKNOWN: That would be fantastic! I will send you some available times.
Another message from Teracht came through.
Teracht: As a courtesy for your mate, remember to clear away any cobwebs from corners, and do apologize again for that time you visited, and he got stuck in one of mine. Caleb still brings it up.
I chuckled. With any luck, there’d be more and more tester towns around the country eventually. More and more monsters to call friend.
“There you two are!” Mom said when Dad and I finally emerged from the woods.
