Marissa came flying in the door once I opened it, enveloping me in an almost painful hug while I stood still in shock. I noticed how tense Dakota was and frowned, albeit there wasn’t much I could do at the moment since Marissa was so angry she was shaking. After releasing a soundless sigh, I stroked her back while chewing my bottom lip out of worry. What upset her? Was she all right? “Marissa, what’s wrong?” I asked with a touch of surprise. Softening, she nuzzled closer in my embrace to release a soft, content sigh.
“Nothing, just a jerk showed up in the last few minutes, but Marcus ran him off. He was from out of town and didn’t want to take no for an answer. I wanted to beat his face in, but refrained because it’s rude although it would have been an improvement on his ugly mug,” Marissa groused. Dakota chuckled, albeit his expression remained cold. However, after a moment, he sighed, moving closer to nuzzle his head against mine. Marissa’s shoulders relaxed a moment before Dakota’s, and they straightened with slight smiles, but neither moved away. Instead, they snuggled closer with a soft purr coming from Dakota. Had I not known to listen for it, I would never have heard it, that’s how quiet it was. But still his content happiness stole over me, and I sighed with a slight smile.
Chewing on my bottom lip again, I wondered if Char was right, that I belonged here. I felt like I did and when the people I grew close to were happy, I felt at peace. Whereas when they were upset, I wanted to help them. But did I have the gift he mentioned, or was it a fluke? I’m human, so I guess I couldn’t fathom such powerful creatures needing me. I couldn’t imagine anyone needing me. Who could ever want a street rat? Why would anyone desire a poor orphan with dangerous baggage?
“Ahem,” startled, I flinched, hissing while my eyes raised to meet those of a sternly frowning Marcus. “Why so dejected, Angel?” He asked with a sigh after I dropped my gaze again.
“All I’ve done is stir up strife,” I whispered, “I should leave as soon as I can. Tonight even.” A soft scoff sounded beside my ear, and suddenly Dakota held me tight to his chest while Marissa shook her head with a slight smirk.
“You’ve done it now,” she chuckled when I dared to meet her eyes, and I gulped. “Dakota will hug the melancholy right out of you, sweetheart.”
“My bunny,” Dakota declared with amusement, and I frowned. Bunny? Why did he call me a bunny? Don’t wolves eat bunnies? Er? Well, if he does, I hope I give him indigestion. Hmph. It would serve him right. “You must admit you make an adorable bunny, and no, I don’t mean the sexualized one. Just a cute little bunny hopping around, munching on whatever looks good. Yup, it’s official, you are our bunny, and you cannot leave without us. Nope. Too many foxes ready to snap up such a defenseless little fluffball. Hey! With your hair color, you could almost pass as a bunny.”
Shaking my head, I eyed the insane werewolf. Okay, this I could see needing me. I mean, me? A bunny? Pfft. Dude, they have huge teeth and sharp claws, and this bunny will mess up your face if you even sniff at her little brother. A soft chuckle escaped my lips at the vision of a wolf getting its ass kicked by a bunny, and suddenly I realized my negative thoughts disappeared. I got so focused on Dakota and his ridiculous statement that I forgot how useless I felt. How did he do that? Why did he do that?
Chuckling, Dakota murmured, “see the glorious thing about having one of your kind around, is we have something to dote on. Bet none of these dorks remembered to mention that. You and yours adore being fawned over once you get past your schtick of, ‘I’m so worthless, why does anyone want me?’ What we are, likes fawning from you, but not so much each other at first. Play fights, perhaps a cuddle if the weather is a tad cold or if we have no one else to cheer us up, but otherwise nope. Now, once one of yours has gotten ahold of us and bonded, pfft out the window that goes. Cuddles for you, snuggles for them, just one big happy, loving town. I suppose you could say you make us secure in what we are because we become complete. Therefore, we stop giving a crap if we measure up to our forefathers. So, we need you because you unlock our capacity to become better. I believe this makes it your civic duty to stick around and make sure none of us eat glue, eh bunny?”
“First, I am not a bunny,” I scolded, and he laughed mockingly, albeit his eyes were full of warmth. “Second, if you are so almighty, take care of yourselves.” Chewing my bottom lip, I dropped my gaze, hoping he didn’t take me up on my offer. The thought of being needed made my soul sing, and my heart warm, but I feared down the road, they would realize they never needed me. Where would that leave me?
“Ah, but see that’s the problem, bunny, we cannot. We need you, else we’ll eat that sofa over there. It looks lovely, and I am hungry,” Dakota teased wickedly, and I huffed. I doubt that. Way too much fuzz and stuffing. Bleh. I would rather eat mealworms, and that was a thought I never imagined I’d have. Gross.
“You are not that stupid,” I scoffed,
