He winked at me; the old man knew how hyperactive Zelda was and how little-to-nothing I trained.
“Let me use the bathroom first.”
“Sure, honeybee. I’ll wait for you at the pond.” Saying that, he shifted mid-step into his humongous dark brown wolf, not caring about his clothes ripping everywhere. He would probably send a picture to Mom later, since she hated when he tore his clothes during a shift.
Our pack house was basically a cozy version of Alcatraz. No corner was safe from my mom’s Scottishness: blue walls interrupted by white-framed windows and doors, heathers gasping out their last purples. Only the thistles held stubbornly on.
After finishing in the bathroom, my phone rang from the front pocket of my jeans. Without checking the screen, I stuck it between my ear and shoulder as I kicked off my ergonomic shoes, preparing for our run.
“Yvaine speaking!”
“You sound way too chipper for someone who just committed a digital war crime,” came that familiar, deep growl, instantly scaring the beat out of my heart.
The site must have approved his application.
Judging by his tone, he wasn’t thrilled about being the newest poster boy for CollarsandChains.com.
And judging by this phone call, he’ddefinitelyfigured out who to blame.
CHAPTER 12
YVAINE
The only card I had left to play was ignorance.
I also tried to ignore the butterflies rousing in my belly.
“Oh, is that you, Rudolph?” I asked, as if I had forgotten his existence. “I see that, as usual, you forgot how to say hello. Still allergic to manners?”
Rudolph ignored my sarcasm, while I ignored my giddiness.
“Do you have something you want to tell me,Yvaine?” The danger lacing his voice was meant to intimidate. I could barely contain my smirk.
“Hmm…” I tapped my chin. “Actually, yes. Recent studies suggest a daily dose of ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels. Shall I send you a sample? You could use some, considering how stressed you sound!”
His menacing growl suggested he definitely needed a whole pound of that particular medicinal herb.
“Ashwa-what? Do you mean hashish?” Confusion replaced irritation. “Are you pushing drugs now?”
“What? No, you asinine man! Ashwagandha is a rejuvenating herb that helps you cope with physical and emotional stress?—”
“I don’t need to cope with stress! You’re the one stressing me out.You!” he thundered. “And all that medical bullshit you’ve been babbling about. Put thatcostolin your?—”
“Cortisol!” I corrected, staring at my trimmed nails. Since we were on the subject, I decided I might as well spread some knowledge to the gorilla on the other end of the line. “Cortisol is a stress hormone. Its levels can shoot up when a person is under stress. This causes other hormones and neurotransmitters to become unbalanced, leading to mood swings, anger, poor sleep… A regular intake of ashwagandha can help make an individual feel mentally calm.” I paused when no animal sound burst through. “Are you still there? Or just googling ashwagandha?”
My question summoned him back. Whenever I talked for a while, Rudolph went quiet.Probably taking a power nap or texting his other babies.
“Don’t make me forget why I called you!” And there he was again,ranting.“Why did you do it? Have you lost your mind, Yvaine?”
I clamped a hand over my mouth as I giggled.
“No, I haven’t, but it looks like you’ve lost yours. Maybe you forgot it under one of your booty call’s beds.”
Another snarl. I swear the phone vibrated with it.
“Oh, you’re right!” I cooed. “It must be awfully exhausting to have to find your head again when you’ve got so many beds to check under! No wonder you’re so crabby?—”
“I’m not crabby!” he exploded.
