I throw myself out of the chair and down onto my knees. My arms open wide, and the ball of fluff bounds up to me. She wriggles frantically and licks my face. I laugh and ruffle her thick coat.
She is all grey and white fluff with bright blue eyes. I think she is a husky.
Her pink tongue swipes across my nose. I chuckle again.
“Oh thank you for the kisses, sweetie.”
I look up at Selwyn while trying to hold her back from slobbering all over my face.
“What is her name?”
Selwyn shrugs. “I do not know. You have not chosen one yet.”
I blink. The puppy seizes the advantage of my distraction and gets her tongue into my ear.
“Ew, no more kisses!” I giggle as I push her onto her back and occupy her with tummy rubs.
“You are giving her to me?” I say to Selwyn, even though I must be mistaken.
He grins down at me, and at the puppy on her back by my feet, kicking her legs in the air in glee.
“I’m pretty sure she has chosen that for herself.”
A squeal of pure delight pours out of me. The puppy jumps up and lunges in excitement. Laughing, I fall backwards onto my back and let her attack me. We wrestle for a few moments. Then I stroke her and calm her down. She stretches out beside me and basks in the attention.
I look around the beautiful room. So many things to get her teeth into.
“Oh! We are going to need puppy pads!” I blurt.
Selwyn shakes his head. “She knows to go outside. Just don’t make her wait too long.”
I ruffle her soft fur. “She’s house-trained already? Are you sure? She looks a bit young for that?”
“She’s a dire wolf. They mature differently.”
My eyebrows rise. A dire wolf? My goodness. She doesn’t have a fierce bone in her body, and she seems so dog-like.
“How big will she get?” I say as the thought hits me. Although, since I live in a palace, any size will not be a problem.
Selwyn flashes white teeth. “Big enough to protect you when I’m not by your side.”
My heart flutters against my ribcage as a rush of warmth races through my body. I swallow and lick my lips.
“She’ll need bowls, and toys, and a bed.”
Selwyn nods. “Give Peaony a list and everything you want will be brought toour rooms.”
That sounds simple enough. I wonder if dire wolves eat dog food? Actually, I am a prince consort. If I want my pet wolf brought fresh steak from the kitchens, then I can do exactly that. I don’t think Selwyn will mind. He seems inclined to pamper me in this.
“Am I allowed to walk her in the gardens?”
Selwyn bristles. His shoulders stiffen, and a darkness swirls in his eyes. I hastily bow my head and continue to pet the puppy to keep her calm. I should have known not to overstep.
A sad, heavy sigh echoes around the room. “It is not me you think poorly of, is it? It’s that your mother never allowed you any freedom.”
I look back up at him. He holds my gaze. His words spin through my mind. I don’t think poorly of him. And I do understand that Mother’s expectations of me were more than most. I didn’t have a normal childhood at all. I’m very strange for a human man my age. I had thought a prince from a different world wouldn’t notice. Apparently, I was wrong.
I bite my bottom lip and nod.
