Immaterial Defense: Once and Forever #4 by Lauren Stewart

Author:Lauren Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942700005

22

Sara

“I knew she would like you,” Declan said as he handed me Kitty’s leash. “But the last test is to see if she accepts you into our pack.”

“You mean I have to prove I’m worthy by going on a walk?” I took the lead warily. As soon as Kitty saw it, she went wild, running around the apartment like her tail was on fire.

“I’m more worried she’ll take you for a walk, so you have to show her who’s boss.”

Great.

“Kitty,” I called. She ignored me. If I couldn’t even clip the leash onto her collar, I’d fail the test. I tried again. “Kitty, come here.” For some reason I stamped my foot, as if that had actually worked for anyone.

Declan just stood there, smiling, watching me make a fool of myself.

“You’re not going to help me at all, are you?”

He shook his head.

“I had no idea you had such a mean streak in you, Declan,” Rebecca said, “You’re doing fine, Sara. You should’ve seen the way Kitty blew off my fiancé when they met. She’s not shy about telling someone how she really feels about them.”

“Was that supposed to be encouraging?” I asked as the dog happily ignored me.

“You have to make her listen to you. Try it again. More firmly this time.”

“Kitty,” I said in the lowest pitch I could manage, willing her to listen.

Declan chuckled. Luckily, Rebecca told him to shut up so I didn’t have to.

“Come here. Now, Kitty,” I repeated in my phony baritone. It sounded ridiculous, even to me. But at least it got her attention. She stopped running and sat down near Rebecca.

I couldn’t tell for sure, but there was a good chance Kitty was laughing at me, too. I raised an eyebrow and held the leash out to her. We stared at each other silently.

“What are you doing?” Declan asked quietly.

“Not sure. I think we’re having a battle of wills.”

“Ah. Who’s winning?”

“Whoever blinks first. Wait. Do dogs have eyelids?”

When he and Rebecca both busted out laughing, Kitty’s tail reacted, wagging so hard, her whole body swayed with it.

I swatted him. “Shut up and let me prove my dominance.”

“As long as you try it with me next time we’re naked.”

“Wow,” Rebecca mumbled. “I really wish I hadn’t heard that.”

I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t smile. Dominant females never smiled. Every dominant female I’d ever known had perfected their resting bitch face. And not to be arrogant or anything, mine was pretty damn good.

My eyes stung from holding them open for so long. If this dog didn’t give in soon, I’d lose.

“Kitty, focus.” I said it softly but firmly as if I were speaking to a toddler who didn’t want to go to bed. “Do you want to go for a walk.” No inflection at the end of the question because dominant females didn’t ask questions. They just knew. “Come here, so I can put on your leash.”

She hesitated for one more second and then took a step toward me. Then another. And another.

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