The pup simply blinked at him, then me, eyes confused, before he turned to Seri, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.
“Seri, he’s big enough to pass it without a prob—”
“Brummy!” she screamed over Cas’ ill-timed logic, pushing uselessly at his rigid shoulders. “Spit it out! Right now!”
Lowering his head, Brumous opened his mouth and heaved once. With a softplop, the duck fell on the floor in a pool of slimy saliva. He raised his head and licked his chops.
“Itwasan emergency morale booster.” I eyed it and decided it was no longer needed.
Apparently, Ko did, too. Snagging a pile of paper towels, he swept it up and dropped it into the trash can.
“And cut!” I clapped my hands sharply as I stood. “Next scene.”
#
After Seri hugged Brumous fortwo whole minutes, she was finally convinced he was fine and let Ko help her back on the counter.
As Cas paced his anxiety attack away, I turned on the water and waited until it cascaded warmly over my wrist.
“Perfect temp!” I announced, aiming the spray at her roots. “Prepare for paradise, gorgeous— Brummy, no!”
The pup lunged, his long pink tongue lapping at the stream, and soapy droplets flew as I wrestled his furry face aside.
“We’ll bathe you another time, fur missile.”
“Just put him out—”
The hurt look in Seri’s eyes had Cas snapping his mouth shut faster than a balloon pops.
“Wait.” Koa froze in the middle of luring Brumous away with a treat. “Has he ever had a bath, beloved?”
“No. I never had the time or energy—”
“Speaking of his care,” Cas interrupted. “His protruding ribs and spine indicate he was starved.”
“I fed him, Simmy! I promise I did! A third of my daily rations, supplemented with eggs when we still had chickens!” Her breath hitched. Water dripped down her temples like tears. “But roguewerewolves… They ate my poor hens. Since then, I skipped as many meals as I could to feed him. I tried setting traps to catch rabbits, but… but they caught me and… And…”
Short, sharp pants stole her words. Eyes wild, her right hand flew the bandage on her upper left arm. Brumous laid his front paws on the counter and tried to nuzzle her neck as my brothers and I exchanged glances.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay, beloved.” Ko to the rescue, cupping her cheeks and rubbing them with his thumbs. “Cas didn’t mean he thoughtyouwere starving him. We see how much you love him. We know you did your best to keep him alive and safe.”
“Seri.” Cas’ voice carried a rough rasp. “I did not thinkyouwere starving him.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders went limp with relief. “Thank you for believing me.”
“Don’t,” he snapped. “Don’t thank me for that.”
“So rogue werewolves, huh?” Ko intervened again, as casually as if discussing brunch spots. “Lots of those around your old place, are there?”
A tremor ripped through her, and her fingers wrapped protectively around her upper arm. Cas carefully worked it away. For once, he was wise enough not to rant about the potential medical catastrophe she could cause.
“Only since Arabesque started—” Her mouth snapped shut as her eyes filled with frustration.
Deciding to bring this back around, I massaged her scalp, working the water through her thick locks. She sighed, a soft, content sound that went straight to my heart. And, yeah, my groin. Her tension started to melt away, and damn, it felt good to help her breathe easier.
Cas, watching from his silent, judgy corner, muttered, “Don’t get soap in her eyes.”
“Cas,please,” I gasped in mock offense. “I’m a professional.”
