“We can wait until later,” Arthur said.
She turned her head to look up at him. “Titan?”
He grimaced. “I couldn't wait. Uh, I might need to clean up in your bathroom.”
She blinked, then took his hand to lead him to the bathroom. “Come on, I’ll help you.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Don’t do anything I’ll have to spank either of you for.”
She looked back at Arthur as she led Titan away. “Promise?”
His laughter followed them into the bathroom.
Chapter 6
Arthur
Titan drove Arthur’s luxury car to the Dapper Dog. Arthur was capable of driving, but it wasn’t his favorite. When he’d learned to drive, cars couldn’t go much faster than 30 MPH. He’d never gotten used to the speed of cars after the 1950s. It was better that Titan drove.
Buckled in the back seat, he observed his flock while Titan and Beatrix talked about books.
It seemed they were both fans of dystopian science fiction.
Arthur didn’t understand. Biographies were much more interesting.
“I liked the Arc of the Scythe series,” Titan said. “But I think it gave me an ulcer. There was so much tension!”
“I know what you mean,” Beatrix agreed with a chuckle. “I can only handle so much anxiety. That’s why I didn’t even make it through the second book in the Red Rising Trilogy."
“I couldn’t finish the first one,” Titan admitted. “It was all so horrible!”
“Have you read Children of Ruin?” Beatrix asked. “I just started it, and I’m absolutely enthralled by the spiders.”
“I haven’t heard of that book,” Titan said. “Can I borrow it when you're done?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
Arthur loved how happy his flock was. Although they weren’t officially his yet, after the intimacy at Beatrix’s apartment, he was sure it would happen. The only question was how long it would take them to convince Beatrix that she could trust them and the void magic pulling them together.
“We’re here!” Titan announced as he pulled into a small parking lot. He was quick to get out and rush around to open Beatrix’s door for her.
“Aww, thanks,” she said as Arthur hurried out of the vehicle and joined his flock to walk into the bar. They were at the door when Beatrix stopped.
“Are we sure about this?” she asked, staring at the bar’s door. There was a sign declaring the bar closed for a private event.
“The event is the book club,” Titan said, reaching for the door. “We’re invited. I checked with Mikey.”
She grabbed Titan’s arm before he could push the door open. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.” She looked at Titan then to me. “I’m not prepared. What if I say something offensive? I don’t want to hurt or upset anyone because I’m ignorant. Let’s go back to my place. We can order food, and you guys can explain everything.”
Arthur didn’t need a bond to feel her anxiety in every word. Titan pulled his hand away from the door and turned to face her.
“I understand your concern, but you’ll have me and Arthur to guide you,” he said.
There was no second thought, Arthur’s instinct was to do as Beatrix asked. They could take her to a nice dinner and talk for as long as she liked.
Before he could guide her away, the door was pulled open, and Briar stuck her head out. “Hey, Mr. The III! How you doin’?”
His eyes narrowed at the stupid nickname, and he wanted to curse the bright haired hoyden when Tobias appeared next to her and gave Arthur a raised eyebrow while pulling Briar out of the doorway.
