Austin was obviously into whatever they were doing, and Adam’s erect ears and swaying tail meant he enjoyed his new role in their relationship. Great sex was only sex, though. It didn’t replace the need for further compatibility, but if Roscoe and I were any example, it was a great place to start.
Speaking of Roscoe, he was still comatose from the ungodly amount of food he’d devoured last night. He reminded me of a hibernating bear, his belly distended like he’d put on fifty pounds of fat in just a couple hours. However, I knew that when he eventually awoke midday, it would be as though he hadn’t eaten anything at all. Werewolf physiology was an enigma, but perhaps I’d understand it more once my time came.
As I crept through the hallway toward the kitchen, the irresistible scent of fresh, expensive coffee caught my nose, followed up by the rush of water and clanking dishes in the sink.
“It’s a damn miracle,” I said, strutting into the kitchen as Adam slipped a plate into the dish drainer.
He turned and opened his mouth to speak, his new rows of sharp teeth glinting in the dim light above the stove.
“This kitchen’s a mess, Cody. Aren’t you supposed to be keeping it clean?”
“Nope.” I brushed past him to grab my new favorite coffee cup from the cabinet. “Did you see what Roscoe gave me?”
Adam held out his larger clawed hands, and I sat the glass mug into his palm.
“This would be really cute if I didn’t know the story behind it.”
“What story?” I said, eyeing him intensely before snatching the mug and filling it with fresh coffee. “There is no story.”
“It was just piss, Cody. If I had a dollar for every werewolf that peed on me—”
“Change of subject,” I interrupted, giving him a sniff. “Someone’s actually using the oatmeal shampoo I bought over two months ago.”
“This stuff is amazing! My fur is so soft, and look.” He rubbed the shorter fur on his arms. “No dander! Shit, I should have used it on my ashy elbows when I was a half-turn.”
“You’re actually strong now, so this changes things,” I said, eyeing Adam with excitement. “I need your help holding Roscoein the bathtub so I can give him a good scrub-down with that shampoo.”
“I have a better idea. I bought something online that you can borrow. I’m going to use it on Austin when it arrives because he’s just as bad as Roscoe.” He picked up his phone and began scrolling.
“Now I’m intrigued.”
“Here,” he said, handing me the phone. It was a werewolf-centric website with grooming products. “The harness.”
“Werewolf washing harness.” I scrolled through the text and read more. “Unbreakable material with a lock to hold even the most unwilling werewolf in place. Holy shit!”
“How much do you want to bet a half-turn runs this online store?” We both laughed but stopped as the bathroom door closed. “I think Roscoe’s up.”
I looked over at the microwave clock. “Not for another five or six hours. It must be Austin.” I leaned closer. “What did you do to him last night?”
“Oooo.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “This thing right here.” He looked down and grabbed the enchanted chain he wore that Willa had made for him. “I can feel everything I do to him while we’re fucking. It’s like sensory overload. Whatever spell Mosavi’s wife put on this, it works differently now that Austin’s better.”
“I think that witch should be running an adult outlet and not a restaurant.”
“Make sure to thank her for me when you go to their house today.”
I put the coffee cup against my lips but stopped, narrowing my eyes at Adam. “What?”
“Oh. I knew I was forgetting something. You left your cell in the living room, and she called while you were sleeping. Mosaviwants to do something to you, or something like that. I didn’t catch all the details.”
“Details are fucking important when it comes to Mosavi, Adam! Can you not answer my phone if you’re not going to at least write this stuff down?” I muttered. “Did you happen to catch a time, or does this all fall into a vague ‘at some point?’”
“Around noon.” He went back to scrubbing the caked-on food from one of the plates. “You’re actually gonna go?”
“It’s either I go there or he shows up here. Would you rather that?”
Adam shook his head.
The toilet flushed, and the bathroom door opened. Austin’s heavy footfalls creaked along the floorboards toward the dining room before stopping at the entrance to the kitchen.
