Chapter 6

The rep from the Therian Registry showed up right on the dot.

Kaelen couldn't stop staring at the werewolf, Silas Thorne.

Silas was massive. His muscles strained against the fabric of his short sleeves, and I actually had to tip my head back just to see his face. Between his sharp brows, the upward slant of his eyes, and the scar on his temple, he looked downright terrifying.

This was my first time dealing with a predatory werebeast, and my stomach was in knots. Was a werewolf like him really going to listen to me?

Silas must have picked up on my nerves. He leaned down, offering me his furry ears to pet, and spoke in a surprisingly soft voice.

"Hi, Ms. Hayes. I'm Silas Thorne."

The worker with him was Nora, the same receptionist I'd met before. She gave me a warm smile. "Don't worry. I watched Silas grow up, and he's an absolute sweetheart. There is one issue, though. Because the Therian Registry is currently under renovation, it'll be about two weeks before we can take Kaelen back. Would it be all right if he stayed here in the meantime? We'll gladly cover his living expenses."

While she talked, Silas's furry tail brushed against my ankle, wagging a mile a minute with excitement.

I hesitated, not giving her a definite answer right away.

Kaelen had been dead silent. But the second Silas reached out to gently touch my pinky finger, Kaelen scoffed. "Mutt."

Silas flinched. He instantly shrank his massive frame down and pressed himself against my side. "Ms. Hayes, he's glaring at me, and I'm really scared."

Just like that, my anxiety vanished. People always complained that werewolves were tough to handle, but Silas was incredibly sweet. He was gentle and eager to please, which was exactly what I wanted.

Nora's smile dropped. Her face went totally flat as she held up her employee badge. "Number 4561, werefox, Kaelen Vance. Is that correct?"

Kaelen went pale. "Yes."

"On behalf of the Therian Registry, I am officially notifying you that your owner has requested a replacement. We are highly disappointed in your failure to fulfill your duties. We will be back to collect you in two weeks. Please have your things ready."

The second Nora walked out the door, Kaelen lunged, yanking Silas away from me. "Mutt! What do you think you're doing? Is this just some act?"

Silas hit the floor, scraping his hand hard against the corner of the table and leaving an angry red welt. He didn't try to fight back. He just scrambled to his feet and looked at me cautiously, completely miserable.

My heart broke for him. I shoved Kaelen out of the way and rushed over. "Are you okay?"

Kaelen slammed back against the wall, wincing. "Clarissa! I know exactly what you're doing. You're just using this mutt to manipulate me into a bond. Cancel the agreement right now and send him back! If you don't, I will never bond with you!"

I whipped around, totally out of patience. "Kaelen! I'm only going to say this one last time. I don't want you anymore."