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Chapter 8

-Emory-

I find it's both exciting and nerve- wracking to go back to the office on Friday. I can't decide if I want to see Logan or hide from him until our date. I have no idea how professional to be with him at this point. Should we hide our relationship at work? I'll have to check the employee handbook for the office fraternization policies.

It's still January cold on my walk to work the next morning. At least it hasn't snowed in a bit- I'd hate to get water damage on my heels. I'll have to get some walking shoes to make it through the slush… I pause as I start to feel like someone is watching me. A quick glance at the windows of office buildings around me shows nobody's reflection behind mine, and pulling up the camera on my phone shows a big fat nothing in the blind spots, and also my hair is slowly expanding with humidity. I might have gotten hasty in rejoicing the lack of snow. I'll go shopping tonight.

Finally daring to actually turn around and check for the eyes on me, all I see is an enormous dog- maybe a wolf hound? Having lived out in the country means I'm no stranger to giant breeds, but this one is a little ridiculous. When he notices me looking at him, he sits and gives me a big doggie grin. Huh. He must be somebody's pet. Still, I know better than to trust strange dogs no matter how much I want to pet them.

I have to admit that he’s a gorgeous dog. I look around for an owner, but he’s the only one on the street besides me. There aren’t any homes with a yard he could have broken free of either. There’s no one running or calling an obvious dog’s name. Is he feral? I start to back away slowly. Maybe if I talk to him, soothe him?

“Hey buddy. I don't have any food for you. Honestly, I don't even have breakfast for myself with me. Where are your parents, big guy?” He huffs out a little woof and starts walking toward me. The closer he comes, the bigger he seems, until I realize this must be some new huge breed I've never seen before. “Whoa, man. You're not acting super aggressive right now, but I don't know you like that. Stay!”

I use my most authoritative voice and immediately feel bad when he crouches down and whines. He also stops crowding me, so I count it as a partial win. Now that I see he respects commands, I'm more comfortable with him walking with me. He can do what he wants as long as I get to work on time today, and I tell him so. There’s always some kind of weird shit going in New York City. I start walking toward work again, just as a man comes around the corner.

“Jesus, lady, don’t you know you have to have a leash on that monster? You can’t just have him walking loose like that!” He has a point, but his delivery makes me defensive, anyway. This isn’t even my goddamn dog!

“You let me know who owns him and I’ll show you who needs to buy a leash, buddy!” Surprisingly, the guy backs off. Suddenly, I think I might want to buy a massive dog to walk with me. No way would he have left me alone without my new furry friend.

“Fine, you can walk with me to work today, but I'm sure I wouldn't be allowed to take a monster like you into the building. I think I’ll have to find a furry friend like you for these walks long term, though. I haven’t been catcalled one time this morning!” His big brown eyes look up at me, but only by a few inches. He's almost chest height on me. “Jesus, you're huge. I could actually ride you. Is that what you're bred for?” He gives another little yip and noses my breast, right across my nipple. It's my turn to yip. I slap my hand over my nipple just before he gets behind me and noses my ass. “Shit, buy me dinner first! I'm already walking! Rude.” I could swear he's laughing at me as he jogs a circle around me and crowds me from behind again. He must be a cattle breed. When I check my watch again, though, I see he has a point.

I need to get a move on if I'm going to make it. I start to power walk around the tourists and through crosswalks. I see the tall, mostly glass front of Úlfur Industries shining ahead of me. I turn and give my walking companion a little scratch, not missing how many eyes are straying our way. I don’t hear anybody saying a single word about it, though. “I guess I'm out of time to do the stairs today because of you, but it was worth it to gain a new buddy for a while. Bye, big guy! Be safe out there! When you find your parents again, tell them to get you a collar so you won't wander so far without someone getting you home!” I give him a little kiss on the nose when he whines and walk into work.

-Logan-

It really sucks, trying to shift and get dressed in the middle of the city without even the traffic cams catching me. I, of course, manage it. I am Alpha, after all. Harder than anything else, though, was getting over the image of Emory putting a leash on me. If anybody is going to wear a leash in this relationship… I have to cut that thought off. I’ve never indulged in pet play before, it’s always felt just a little too on the nose to me. Maybe I’ll ask James about it.

Logan: Operation Emory is a go.

Deek: You know it! You’re starting early today- no rest for the wicked.

Logan: I was running as when I smelled her- my wolf couldn’t stay away, obviously.

James: You went to her. Was there running and screaming?

Ollie: Seems like a weird way to introduce your wolf, dude. I thought you were going to ease her into it later?

Logan: I didn’t ease anything. She thought I was just a massive dog. Sounds like I might have to do it on the regular, though. I had no idea how many creeps would be checking her out. I almost bit somebody’s hand off this morning. And no, James. There was no running OR screaming.

Ollie: I didn’t realize your girl was stupid, Lo.

Logan: Stop calling me that!

I put my phone away and get back to work. Obviously, the guys just don’t get it and won’t be any help today. Ollie is constantly trying to get me to accept the stupid nickname and if I encourage him it’s only going to get worse.

I focus on my work harder than ever before, if only because it’s so difficult today. My decisions have consequences and I can't afford to slip up while thinking of Emory. Even though I got to see another side of her today, and she’s already so comfortable with my wolf… focus Logan. I shake my head, tapping on the dark wood of the conference table, and tune back into the meeting. I almost feel a thrill in exercising the discipline- like being a little sore after a good workout. One more day.

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