Chapter 49 She Seduced my pet!
Alexander.
We were about to leave the garden when Nicholas froze mid step, his eyes fixed on something ahead. I followed his gaze and I immediately felt a pang of irritation.
Dandelion, was walking toward us, her nose buried in a book, completely oblivious to our presence.
But what made my blood pressure spike wasn't her. It was Willow, my supposedly loyal wolf, who was practically glued to her side like some lovesick puppy.
He circled her repeatedly with his tail wagging so hard his entire backside swayed. His tongue lolled out in pure adoration as he bumped his head against her waist, demanding her attention she refused to give.
She kept her eyes locked on that damn book, raising it higher to block him out from seeing her face. Each time he nudged her, she would step aside without looking down.
The wolf didn't care that she was ignoring him. Instead he ran in a tighter circle around her until she had to stop walking to avoid the risk of tripping over him.
I crossed my arms watching them quietly.
"Is he seriously--" Nicholas started.
"Yes," I cut him off coldly. "He is."
Willow, clearly frustrated by her lack of response, suddenly planted himself directly in front of her and sat blocking her way completely. His blue eyes locked onto her face with a stubborn determination.
She finally lowered the book with a frustrated sigh.
"Willow," she called, her voice caught between amusement and desperation. "Are you trying to get me in trouble? You're the cutest thing in the world, but that demon would skin me alive just for looking at you. Now would you pleasssse let me go?"
Demon? That title again.
Willow only whined louder, tilting his head as if her words physically hurt him.
I scoffed, and both Nicholas and Xavier's heads suddenly snapped toward me with identical glares.
"Seriously, Alex?" Xavier's tone dripped with disbelief. "And you call me petty? You won't even let her look at your pet?"
"What?" I shot back. "I never said she couldn't look at Willow. Besides, why didn't she find him cute when she saw him for the first time and fell into the pool out of fright?"
Nicholas shook his head slowly, disappointment written all over his face. "You are indeed a demon."
I sighed heavily. This was ridiculous.
"Hey, Willow, Come here, boy." I called out with authority as if to remind him that I'm still his owner.
Both Dandelion and willow turned toward us. Her eyes widened when she spotted the three of us standing there, and her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, probably because she was now aware I heard her call me demon behind my back.
But Willow? That traitorous beast looked directly at me, then turned back to Dandelion and continued whining at her feet.
He... he freakin ignored me.
My own wolf. The gift from my mother which I had raised since he was a pup.
"That ungrateful wolf," I muttered, feeling genuinely stunned.
Dandelion offered an awkward smile, gesturing toward me. "Willow, go on. Your owner is calling you."
But he didn't budge an inch.
"Hmmm Karma," Nicholas said beside me, barely suppressing his smirk.
I shot him a look that could melt steel, but it only made his grin wider.
This was absurd. Willow had never ignored a direct command from me. Not once since he was born. And now he was staging a full rebellion because of her?
When it became clear the stubborn wolf had no intention of moving, the three of us walked over to Dandelion instead.
She stood there clutching her book like a shield, looking anywhere but at me.
I ignored her and squatted down beside Willow, reaching out to scratch behind his ears the way he usually loved, but he jerked his head away.
Away from my hand.
Then he looked up at Dandelion and whined again, as if he was telling on me. See? See what he does? He won't let you pet me!
I stood up slowly with frustration bubbling in my chest.
"Alright. Fine," I said through clenched teeth. "You're allowed to play with him."
Once again another rule was about to be broken, and I personally permitted it. Gosh this is frustrating.
The transformation was instant. Willow's entire demeanor changed. His tail started wagging again at full speed, and he jumped up excitedly, circling Dandelion with renewed energy.
She blinked in surprise, then looked at me with hesitation.
"Go ahead," I said flatly. "Before he stages a hunger strike next."
A small giggle escaped her lips, the first genuine sound of joy I'd heard from her. She set her book down on a nearby bench and squatted to Willow's level.
"Awwn," she cooed, wrapping her arms around his thick neck. "Who's the cutest? Who's the cutest good looking wolf ever?"
Willow's tail wagged so hard it became blurry white.
"See the joy you deprived Willow of?" Nicholas said, with his voice laced with amusement. "You thought he wouldn't get bored with you? Hmph. If I was praised like this, I'd definitely abandon my owner too."
I glared at him, but he just grinned wider.
Dandelion's fingers sank into Willow's soft white fur, scratching and ruffling in all his favorite spots. Willow's eyes half closed in complete bliss, and he actually started drooling.
Then in a quick move that made my eye twitch, he flopped onto his back and presented his stomach to her.
"Whoa" Both Nicholas and Xavier said at the exact same time.
Nicholas followed it with a laugh.
Dandelion laughed too, a bright, clear sound that did something strange to my heart.
"You've been craving this, haven't you?" she said between giggles, rubbing his exposed furry belly. "Poor baby. Stuck with a grumpy owner who won't let anyone love you."
My hands curled into fists at my sides.
"You--" The word came out before I could stop it. "She seduced my pet," I ranted with disbelief.
Three pairs of eyes turned to me almost immediately, Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously jealous of your own wolf right now?"
"I'm not jealous," I snapped. "I'm stating a fact. Look at him. He's completely betrayed me for a woman he's barely known."
"Maybe he has better taste than you," Nicholas teased.
I shot him a murderous glare, but he remained unbothered.