“Right as the opening credits began to roll, a huge shadow monster filled the screen. A huge, wolf-shaped shadow monster.”
“You?”
“My shadow, because I was standing right in front of the projector,” Titan said with a grin. “It was so all-consuming thatthey decided to name me Titan. Said it was a portent for the future.”
Mathlin giggled. “It’s true though.”
Titan nuzzled him. “So, what do you want to name our pup?”
“What doyouwant to name our pup?”
“Oh gods, is this going to be one of those relationship memes where couples ask each other what they want for dinner, and both of them don’t know?”
Mathlin elbowed him. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I know,” Titan said. “Why don’t we name the pup after someone in your family? I have my pack, but you don’t have yours, so... Maybe you could name the pup after your dads or your great-grandma, that might help.”
Mathlin’s throat grew tight. “That... That’s actually an amazing idea.”
Titan nuzzled him. “You don’t have to decide right now, either. Take some time to think about it.”
“Okay,” Mathlin mumbled.
“Oh!” Hamilton said in the next room. “You haven’t heard Titan’s actually embarrassing childhood stories.”
Titan stiffened against Mathlin. “No!” he growled. “You don’t get to tell him that!”
“You still owe me,” Hamilton sang. “I can totally tell him a couple.”
“Fuck,” Titan said. “Not right now. I’m invoking my Buttler Begone card.”
“Really?” Mathlin said.
“As you wish.” Hamilton cackled and stopped listening in.
Twin Buns wasn’t bringing in enough income for Titan to hire Hamilton yet, but they were getting there. Titan had posted some social media videos of the new brownies, and orders were steadily coming in on his website. That, combined with the orders from the townsfolk and Titan’s alpha friends, was helping to boost the bakery’s earnings.
They had been experimenting with other kinds of magical brownies too—brownies that boosted energy and focus, brownies that helped with healing and calming minds. If the pain relief brownie sales were anything to go by, Twin Buns was set to do better in the coming months.
Mathlin was grateful for that. With each day of sustained sales, the stress in Titan’s shoulders eased a little more. Whenever he was awake enough, Mathlin tried to help with the bakery too.
“Math,” Titan said suddenly.
“Hmm?” Mathlin looked up.
Titan’s face was suddenly a lot closer. “Have I ever told you how much I appreciate having you around?”
“Maybe.” Titan said it often, and it always made Mathlin’s heart leap.
Titan grinned, boyish and bright. He pressed a quick kiss to Mathlin’s lips. “I’m glad I’m having a pup with you.”
Butterflies filled Mathlin’s stomach, all over again. “I think you just made my stomach itch,” Mathlin blurted. “It’s full of bugs. Oh gods, that sounds horrible.”
Titan scrunched up his face. “I put bugs in your stomach?”
“Butterflies! But I kind of hate butterflies because if you look closely, they’re still a bug! Ugh. Now all the butterfly lovers will hate me.” Mathlin sagged.
“You’ll always have a place with me, sweetheart,” Titan said. “Whether or not you hate butterflies.”
