"Giddyup!" Kai smacked Kayden's head. "Daddy, go left!"
Kayden obediently stepped left.
"No, no, I mean right!"
Kayden turned right.
"Daddy, you're so dumb!" Kai's frustration mounted. "I said left—that way!"
He pointed in a direction that was exactly where Kayden had just gone.
"Kai." I couldn't help calling out. "That's right."
"Huh?" Kai tilted his head, thinking. "Oh. Yeah, I got them mixed up again."
Kayden's shoulders shook with silent laughter.
"Daddy, why are you laughing?" Kai peered down at him. "Don'tlaugh!"
"Yes, Your Highness." Pure indulgence laced Kayden's tone. "Which way now?"
"Um... toward the big rock!"
Kayden obeyed, carrying Kai in circles around the lawn.
This was their third day living together.
In just three days, Kai had completely conquered the Alpha.
Yesterday, Kai said he wanted to see Kayden shift. Kayden hesitated for a long time—I could tell he was afraid of scaring him.
"You won't scare him," I said. "He's been looking forward to this."
"But..." Kayden raked his fingers through his hair. "My wolf form is huge, and..."
"And what?"
"And not cute enough." Dead serious. "I'm worried Kai will be disappointed."
Kayden Blackwood was actually worried his wolf form wasn't cute enough?
I nearly laughed out loud.
"Just try," I said. "Kai will love it."
So that evening in the backyard, Kayden shifted.
The sound of bones restructuring brought back memories of the first time I'd witnessed a werewolf shift. Muscles rippled beneath skin, his body expanding rapidly, clothes tearing, and then a massive silver-gray wolf emerged. His coat gleamed metallic in the setting sun, muscles flowing beneath, those silver eyes even more penetrating.
Majestic. Powerful. Radiating Alpha dominance.
Kai stared, mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg. Kayden carefully lowered himself, resting his head on his paws, trying to look... harmless?
Then Kai's eyes lit up.
"WHOA! Big doggy!" He shrieked and lunged forward.
The nickname hit Kayden like a physical blow. He froze.
