by Zoe Chant
“Okay, I’m gonna see if there’re any cupcakes left,” Joshua announced as he opened the door.
The guy frowned at Joshua’s departing back. “What happened to helping me along?”
“You’re doing great, Louis!” Joshua called back as he walked down the path and away from the cabin. “I’ll save you a cupcake!”
Louis. His name was Louis.
Of course, his name was Louis. He was the dog.
The man—Louis—huffed and tried to lean back, but bumped into the kitchen cupboard behind him. “Sorry, this seemed bigger when I was a wolf.”
“A wolf,” she echoed.
He ended up leaning against the kitchen counter. “Yep.”
“You’re not a dog.”
“Nope.” He looked at her imploringly, and once again he reminded her of the dog—wolf—looking at her when he’d rolled over for that first terrifying belly rub.
She’d given him that belly rub.
Already mortified, her mind made it worse by helpfully replaying all the cooing she’d done. “Oh, no.” She buried her head in her hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“About what?” His voice was kind. “I should be the one to apologize, not you.”
She looked at him, lowering her hands. “About treating you like a dog?”
“I was pretending to be one, so mission accomplished.” He glanced at the door. “I’d like to point that was Joshua’s idea, by the way. He saw the ad online and insisted we audition for it, and here we are.”
Here they were.
“But you’re a werewolf? A real one?”
He shook his head and smiled. “It’s a little bit more complicated than that. We’re shifters. We shift into animals, and I shift into a wolf.”
He said ‘we.’ “Wait, so Joshua is a—a wolf shifter as well?”
“No, but if you want a sequel about an evil Dr. Werebear, I might know a reliable bear.” He winked at her, and that did things to her insides.
Suddenly, a lot of the rumors about Bear Creek made sense. “It’s your entire town. That’s how it got that name. That’s why you keep to yourselves.” She’d assumed the references to wild animals roaming the streets were just trash-talking about a neighboring town. Everyone back home considered Bear Creek backwards. The Bear Creek High School had never sent a sports team to play against a team from Elmworth or vice versa. People from Bear Creek rarely visited Elmworth, and if they did, they were stoic as they went about their business.
“Pretty much,” Louis replied. “The bear shifters settled there first, and other shifters joined them. We can’t let it get out.”
“But why are you telling me this?” If it was so important, why trust her with the secret?
Louis glanced down for a moment, his cheeks turning pink when he met her eyes again. “I know you’re scared of dogs. We figured that if you knew I wasn’t an actual dog, you wouldn’t be so scared. I didn’t mean to jump at you when we first met. I got excited.”
She knew there had to be more to it than that. Louis-the-dog had won her over. Maybe a part of her had realized Louis wasn’t an actual dog, and that there was nothing to be afraid of?
“You did scare me.” No point denying it, and Louis didn’t seem bothered. “And it explains a lot. I thought you were kinda weird for a dog. Listening to people without Joshua giving the command. Rolling over for me in the trailer.”
His cheeks turned pinker. “I could smell your fear, so, um, I wanted to reassure you.”
She laughed at that. “I thought I was the weirdo for thinking that’s what you were doing!” It was strange how easy it was to talk to Louis, considering she’d technically only just met him and should still be in shock from him turning into a human right in front of her.
But the calm and quiet way he stood there made her feel calm as well.
Just like he’d done as a wolf.
“I’m glad it worked,” he said. “I hated knowing you feared me, but had to be around me. You handled it really well.”
“You made it easy.” And she still didn’t know how. “I don’t pet dogs. Ever. But I trusted you.”
He looked away again, and she knew there was more than what he was telling her. Did he have secret telepathic powers? Was he using them to make her not be afraid? Could he use them to make her not be afraid of other dogs? “Thanks.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she decided not to press him. Louis was being very kind by letting her know what was going on. “Is that why Joshua was being so weird? Because half the time you did things without him telling you to, and no dog owner gives a random stranger the leash to their dog like that.”
Louis grimaced. “We underestimated that side of it. And it’s not like I wanted to practice being obedient around Joshua.” He rolled his eyes, and Stephanie smiled. “But him leaving us alone was my idea. I thought that if you spent some time with me, you’d realize I wasn’t a bad dog.”
“No, you were a very good one. And I’m so sorry about baby-talking to you and calling you a good boy.”
Louis laughed. “Well, I was very well-behaved. You liking me was the whole point.”
He’d been the one to roll over, Stephanie reminded herself. “Well, you succeeded. And you definitely seemed to enjoy yourself.” She doubted a wolf could fake that much enthusiastic tail-wagging at a belly rub.
He coughed, cheeks red as he glanced away. “Yeah, it was fine. More than fine. I guess if you wanted to do it again…”
Her eyes widened, something other than mortification making her feel flustered. “The belly rub or calling you a good boy?”
“Both?” Louis looked at her, sounding hesitant.
Her mind conjured up an image of giving the very human Louis a belly rub, and she definitely hoped he didn’t have secret telepathic powers. “But do you do that often? You get bored, you go down to the dog park and collect cuddles?”
Louis frowned before shaking his head and laughing. “There is a section in the local park for shifting, but no cuddles.”
Well, that explained the rumors of wildlife in the streets of Bear Creek.
“You’re taking it very well,” he told her.
Stephanie smiled. “Ask me again tomorrow. I mean, I’m working on a movie called Dr. Werewolf. I’m more than fine with the weird and unusual. Not that you’re weird!” Oh no, she was saying all the wrong things.
“I know what you meant. I’m glad you’re not freaking out.”
“What’s it like?” she asked eagerly, since he seemed to be okay with questions. “Being a wolf? Turning into one?”
“It’s disorienting at first. I always feel a little dizzy the first seconds after I’ve shifted.”
“You’ve just rearranged all your organs. I’d be dizzy too.” She looked him up and down, eyes lingering on his long legs and broad chest. “But you’re bigger than a wolf. Where does the rest of you go?”
“I—” he fell silent. “I don’t know. It’s like my clothes. I can wear a t-shirt, shift into a wolf and not wear a t-shirt. But when I shift back, I’m still wearing it.”
She tried not to think it was a shame his clothes came with him when he shifted. “That’s interesting. If I put the fake blood on you right now, does it go where your clothes go? Or stay on you as a wolf?”
“Are you still scared of putting it on me while I’m shifted?”
Stephanie looked at the makeup sponges on the kitchen table. Her throat didn’t feel as tight at the thought as before, but she felt far from relaxed. “Maybe. You’re still a wolf with fangs and everything. I’m scared of dogs in the neighborhood, and I know those have never attacked anyone. I know they’re not dangerous, and yet… There’s no rationalizing the fear.” She glanced at him, wondering how he’d take it.
Louis nodded solemnly, and her tension eased.
She should’ve known he wouldn’t make fun of her. Louis had already gone through a lot of trouble to reassure her.
“If you don’t mind telling me, is there a reason you fe
ar dogs?” he asked kindly.
She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves as the memories came back. “My parents took me and my sister camping when we were little. Our neighbors on the campground had a Siberian husky who was too enthusiastic when getting a tennis ball from a toddler.” She kept her tone light and cheerful as usual when explaining.
He sucked in a breath. “Huskies are pretty big dogs, aren’t they? Especially to a small child. Of course that left an impression.”
“You could say that.” She smiled, grateful for his reaction. She was used to people telling her to get over it, that the dog had just been playful, and that a dog couldn’t knock her over anymore. “It’s a tricky fear.”
“I can imagine. You know, it’s no problem if Joshua ends up putting that fake blood on me. You can tell him what to do.”
Stephanie took a deep breath and straightened up. “No. I should do it. I have to get over this dumb fear at some point.”
“It’s not dumb,” he insisted.
She was surprised by his vehemence. “You’re the one who turns into a dog. Wolf, I mean.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t get it,” he said. “I know what I shift into. Wolves are predators, and it’s not dumb to fear predators.”
“Okay, but most dogs aren’t predators. I get scared around Chihuahuas.”
“They always look one second away from biting your toe off, so I don’t blame you,” Louis agreed, making her smile.
“They do!” Stephanie shook her head, still surprised and glad at how understanding he was being. Michael had never been this considerate. “Okay, maybe I think my fear is dumb because I love horror movies so much. I shouldn’t fear a regular dog if I can handle gory zombie movies.”
“You just said there’s no rationalizing the fear.”
Stephanie was silent for a long moment, then she huffed. “Stop making me feel better about being scared of you!” Louis was being so kind, and friendly, and hot, and her fingers still itched with a desire to rub his human chest to see if he’d enjoy that as much as the belly rubs.
“I can’t help it,” Louis insisted. “I—I still feel bad about scaring you when we first met.”
Was he being nice because he felt guilty? Or was there more to it than that? She hoped so. Because talking to Louis was so much easier than talking to Michael ever was. She’d often wondered if he was actually listening to her, and whether she was saying the right things. The things a girlfriend should be saying.
“Don’t be,” she told him. “Don’t worry about it. You’re very sweet. The belly rubs won me over.”
Louis smiled in relief at that. “In that case, I was wondering… you can say ‘no’ and it’s kind of an awkward question, but—”
He was asking her out! “Sure!”
Louis blinked. “Sure, what?”
Oh, no. Her stomach sunk with embarrassment. “You were asking me out? I thought I’d help you along…”
“That wasn’t—I mean, I definitely want to go on a date with you,” he added. “But that wasn’t what I wanted to ask.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks turned red. “What did you want to ask?”
“It’s about filming tonight,” he explained. “I’ll be a wolf, so we won’t be able to talk much. But if you’re not busy doing anyone’s makeup, maybe we could… hang out?”
“Hang out? With you as a wolf?”
He nodded. “It’s not like anyone will be surprised you’re hanging out with the werewolf, right? Touching up my makeup?”
Stephanie smiled at how eager he looked. There was a lot about Louis that still confused her, but his attraction to her was 100% sincere. “Are you just angling for more belly rubs?” she teased. She’d rarely felt like she could freely tease Michael good-naturedly. His reactions were unpredictable—teasing her right back one day, getting angry the next.
“Maybe!” he shot back, grinning. “No one has ever given me one before. Usually when I’m a wolf around other people, they’re shifters and they know I’m not some pet dog looking for cuddles.”
“So they don’t give you any. That’s tragic… I guess you’re owed years of belly rubs, then.” She hoped he wanted a volunteer.
“Lots of time to make up for,” he replied, moving closer.
Heat blossomed inside her at the mischievous glint in his eyes. “That is a long time to go without belly rubs…” This was way too much fun. “And you have been a good boy.”
They were close enough she could hear the groan he tried to hide, and she grinned.
“You really weren’t kidding about being okay with that, were you?”
He met her gaze, cheeks flushed but not embarrassed. “Nope.”
Stephanie could definitely get used to calling Louis a good boy. She moved closer, resting her hands against his chest, feeling the strength and heat through his t-shirt. “Then I hope you’re fine with this as well.” She raised her head, and he closed the distance between them to kiss her.
Desire and need shot through her body at the touch of his lips, and she pressed herself against him. She wanted more now. She slid her arms up to wrap around his neck, and Louis deepened the kiss as he pulled her even closer.
She went with him, pushing him against the kitchen counter and running her hands down that muscular chest. She wanted to feel all of him.
His lips kissed a path from her cheek to her jaw, making her shiver as he kissed her neck.
Stephanie tilted her head back, gasping when he found a sensitive spot. Her fingers tightened in his t-shirt.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Michael’s face was red with anger when Stephanie turned around. “Um,” she stammered, feeling lightheaded.
“Evening.” One of Louis’s arms was still around her.
She knew that if she wanted to move away, he wouldn’t try to pull her close.
“Who’s he?” Michael demanded, stepping inside.
“He’s Louis. What are you doing here?” she asked. Michael didn’t need to be here.
“Wait, like the dog?”
“Yes, like the dog.” Louis let out an annoyed huff. “It’s a pretty common name for dogs and people, after all.”
Stephanie watched Michael’s eyes narrow as he moved closer. She didn’t want a fight to break out. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Michael paused. “I was worried about you being in here with that dog, baby. I know how scared you are of them.”
“As you can see, the dog isn’t here.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I also thought that maybe we could talk.” He kept looking at Louis. “About us.”
Something snapped inside of her. She’d had it with his stubborn persistence. He wasn’t doing it because he cared. He was doing it to get his way. “What’s there to talk about? I broke up with you after you kissed Ashley.”
Michael stayed focused on Louis, looking like he wanted to throttle the other man. Fortunately, Michael stayed on the other side of the kitchen table. “You don’t want to make any rash decisions you’re gonna regret. You don’t even know this guy. Who is he? Why is he even on set?”
“Who cares?” Stephanie exclaimed before Louis could say anything. “I broke up with you last month! And that wasn’t some rash decision!”
Michael raised his hands. “There’s no need to shout, baby. I can hear you just fine. All I wanted was to see if we could work things out.”
She gritted her teeth. Typical Michael, trying to sound reasonable while painting her as overly emotional. “There’s nothing to work out. You kissed another girl.”
“I guess that settles that,” Louis said. “Feel free to leave. We’ve got plenty of work to do.”
Michael glared at Louis. “Work? Right. This has nothing to do with you, so leave us alone.”
Louis let go of Stephanie, moving to stand next to her with his arms folded across his chest. “I think Stephanie would rather that you leave.”
“Definitely,” Stephanie said. “I
already told you. It’s time you moved on. Maybe Ashley’s willing to go out with you.”
Michael rolled his eyes. “I already told you Ashley kissed me! I didn’t cheat on you, geez. And I would’ve told you that if you’d been willing to talk like a reasonable adult.”
Louis snorted derisively. “Because you’re such a reasonable adult? She told you to leave.”
“Multiple times,” Stephanie muttered, glad that Michael’s stubbornness wasn’t solely aimed at her.
“I keep trying because she won’t listen to me,” Michael insisted. “She jumped to conclusions based on what she thinks she saw.”
“What I think I saw?” Stephanie leaned forward on the kitchen table, glaring at her ex. “I know what I saw that evening!”
Michael shrugged. “Exactly. Evening. It was getting dark. Are you sure you saw a kiss?”
Stephanie huffed with frustration, looking at Louis, who shook his head. This was typical Michael. Nothing was ever his fault. “I know what I saw.” She glared at Michael again. “Even if she started that kiss, you weren’t fighting her off, were you? I saw you had your arms around her.” Besides, the backyard at the party had been lit with plenty of fairy lights to see by. The vegetable garden where she caught Michael and Ashley hadn’t been completely cast in shadow.
Michael sighed. “Okay, so we had a few beers too many, and it was only a quick kiss. You should—”
“It wasn’t a quick kiss,” she snapped. “And it wasn’t the beer. I’ve been drunk at parties without kissing other guys! You can’t blame the beer. Why would I get back together with you? So I can never trust you at a party ever again? That’s ridiculous.”
She’d been ridiculous for letting him pester her for this long.
“She came onto me!” Michael insisted. “We were just talking and laughing, and suddenly she kissed me!”
Stephanie sighed, feeling more exhausted than angry. “Stop blaming others for your own mistakes, Michael, and get out. I have work to do.”
“Work to do?” Michael snarled, gesturing at Louis. “I thought his name was Louis?”
“Louis was just about to leave to get the dog,” she lied. “He’s helping Joshua. They’re both from Bear Creek.”
