My idea had been to approach Gabby once she’d settled in so she’d know I was there to join her. I had on the tags I’d made to help drive home that point. But maybe approaching Gabby wasn’t the best course.

I silently stepped out from behind the shed, trotted across the yard, and up the steps before Rachel noticed me. With her back to me, she settled onto the far towel. If I’d been in human form, I would have wiped my sweaty palms on my pants. Instead, I took a fortifying breath, then lay down next to her.

She squeaked and jolted away from me as she turned to look at what had brushed against her.

Her face was inches from mine. She didn’t scream as I’d half-expected. With a grin, she offered her hand. Mentally sighing, I dutifully sniffed her. She grinned wider when I finished, then she reached out and scratched behind my ear. It actually felt pretty good. Better than scratching it myself.

“Where did you come from, handsome?” she said softly. Her hand brushed down my neck—it made me slightly uncomfortable—and ran over the rope holding my tags.

“What’s this?” Her fingers hooked under the line, and my tags jingled. I wanted to grin as she brought the piece of metal around to read it.

“A good home, huh? I wonder if Gabby likes dogs.”

Probably not. I sighed, laid my head on my paws, and gave Rachel my best woeful look.

“Aw, I’m sure she does. Look at you. What’s not to like?”

My thoughts exactly.

Just then, Gabby stepped out in a pink bathing suit that left more skin exposed than covered. The sight of her soft pale stomach had me raising my head and swallowing hard.

“Gabby, look,” Rachel said in a pitch that made my ears ache. “A dog!”

Had my future not been riding on this moment, Gabby’s reaction might have been comical. Her eyes rounded as she froze and stared at me.

Small, pink triangles of material covered her chest and small, tight shorts covered her bottom. I stared, letting the image burn into my memory. Gabby in a swimsuit. I swallowed again and tried to breathe. I decided pink was my new favorite color.

Rachel’s fingers continued to ruffle the fur around my neck. I met Gabby’s gaze, wondering if she minded. I doubted it. Still, it made me uncomfortable to have Rachel touch me in front of Gabby. I didn’t want Gabby to doubt I was hers.

Turning my head, I moved out of Rachel’s reach. Rachel shifted to a sitting position and tried to reach me again.

“It just walked up the porch steps and lay right down. I nearly peed myself. Have you ever seen a dog this big before? What kind do you think it is?”

I gave up and let her pet me again while I held Gabby’s gaze. The breeze carried the sour tang of doubt and suspicion.

“And you’re not going to believe what its tag says,” Rachel said. “‘If found, please provide a good home.’ Isn’t that funny?”

She ruffled my neck fur, which made my tags jingle, but I ignored her as I waited for Gabby’s reaction.

“Yeah. Funny.”

She didn’t sound amused. She turned away as if to go back inside.

“His tag also says his name is Clay. What do you think? Should we keep him?”

Gabby spun and stared at Rachel. I didn’t need to smell her shock and disbelief. Who had she thought I was?

“What?” she said, disbelief clear on her features.

She glanced back down at me.

Did she seriously think I’d let some other pup come here?

“Aw, you aren’t allergic are you?” Rachel asked. “The lease says a single pet is allowed as long as it’s licensed.”

Gabby hesitated as she continued to stare at me with distrust. Unwilling to consider what that meant, I sighed and laid my head back on my paws. The move had softened Rachel; maybe it would work on Gabby.

“No, I’m not allergic,” she finally said.

“Good. He’s so cute!” Rachel scratched behind my ears, and I closed my eyes pretending it was Gabby.

“I’m going back in,” Gabby said, bursting my dream. I leapt to my feet before she reached the door and moved closer. She looked down at me, then at Rachel.

“Looks like another guy who can’t take his eyes off you,” Rachel said.

What did she mean by that? Who else had been looking at Gabby? I glanced at her suit again and clamped my jaw shut.

“Living with you is going to be a riot.” Rachel laughed and picked up the towels. “Let’s all go in. The neighbor’s tree is going to shade the deck soon, anyway.”

Gabby opened the door, and I quickly darted in past her. I sat just inside the door, waiting for her. She held the door for Rachel, and I worried that Gabby might try to run again. But she didn’t. She took a deep breath and followed Rachel in.

“We can keep him. But he’s going to shed everywhere,” Gabby said as she walked away.

Her irritation kept me glued to my spot. I wouldn’t press her. I was in the house, and she hadn’t run. For now, that was enough.

Chapter 5

Rachel moved toward the refrigerator. Although she continued speaking to me—some nonsense about me being a good dog—I barely paid attention. Instead, I strained to hear the faint murmur of Gabby’s voice. She was talking to someone. Probably Sam.

“Do you eat people food?” Rachel said, straightening from the fridge.

I forced my gaze from the arch, through which Gabby had disappeared, and gave Rachel my attention. She quirked a smile at me.

“Well, I’m sure you’d be willing, but should you eat people food?”

She put her hands on her hips and studied me for a moment.

“Dog food is essentially ground up meat and stuff, right?” She turned again and opened the fridge. “Hey, Gabby?” she called as she stared into the brightly lit interior.

I turned to stare at the arch.

From Gabby’s room, I heard quick movements, then the door opened. I waited and was rewarded with the sight of her marching into the kitchen. She wore pants and a top that covered her stomach but not her arms or shoulders. I stifled the urge to sigh. I sure did like her swimsuit better.

“What’s up?” she asked, looking at Rachel, who was still bent over looking in the fridge.

“Do you think I can feed him leftover steak?”

“I’m pretty sure people food is bad for dogs. We can pick up some dog food for him in the morning. He’ll be fine overnight.”

Yep, she was mad at me. That was okay. I could wait her out.

She sat at the kitchen table, pulled her legs up, and wrapped her arms around her knees. The position made her look lost, alone, and scared. I wanted to shift and hold her, but I knew I was the cause of her concern. Only time would reassure her that I had no intention to mess with her big plans. I just wanted to be with her, and hopefully, one day, take care of her as a Mate would.

Her stomach growled, and I felt a moment of frustration. I couldn’t take care of her like this, though.

“But dinner does sound good,” Gabby said. “I should have thought of groceries while we were shopping.”

Groceries meant food. I should be able to provide that for her. Yet, I’d watched the humans enough to know my skills wouldn’t help much. I needed a way to earn money. I knew human’s had jobs. Charlene, Thomas’ Mate, was big on the werewolves going out and getting jobs to help support the werewolf community. That was one of the many reasons my father had chosen to live away from the pack.

Gabby and Rachel’s conversation faded as I considered my options. I had the paperwork I needed in order to get a job. But I didn’t think that would be enough. Though I’d studied humans from a distance, I wasn’t sure I knew how to be human.

Gabby stood, drawing my attention as she went to a cupboard. I lay down, rested my head on my paws, and watched. I was here for her. I wanted to show her that a Mate was an asset, but she was right. We didn’t know each other. How could I prove I was what she needed when I didn’t have any idea what she needed?

“What kind of movies do you like?” Rachel asked.