Mated To Magic (Stark Creek Shifters Book 1) by Barb Shuler (free ereaders .TXT) 📕

got in her eyes when she’d mention having a dog. It wasn’t possible for me to actually say no to her.

If she wanted a dog then, I was sure she’d still want one now. That’s why operation hound dog started. It’s just taken a little longer to sort out than I originally thought.

I’d told her that I had a meeting with a client out of town, but it was all a lie. A little white lie, not the kind she’d kill me for. Maybe.

I felt bad for lying to her. It’s not something I ever wanted to do, but it was necessary - in this instance anyway. I’d been searching rescues within four hundred miles for just the right pup.

Mia has always said she wanted a bulldog. I’d tried to tell her years ago she needed a real dog—big, loud, and mean—then she’d remind me that it was my job to be those things. Touché.

It turned out there was a bulldog rescue about three hours from here. I’d been stalking their page on Facebook and their YouTube channel where they’d place videos of new dogs as they came in. They’d just taken in a bulldog and her puppies from a surrender. They had five when I talked to the owner of the rescue, and one was claimed already. She agreed to wait for me to come and see them before she let anyone else claim the others. The pictures on my phone had been the only company I’d had for the last ten minutes while I sat outside of the rescue facility.

How could someone choose between these faces? Seriously, they were the cutest little things. There were three of them that I just loved. They had great coloring and it would be easy to tell them apart.

I got out of my truck and headed toward the main entrance. This was either going to be a great experience or a big mistake. I was walking into an enclosed space full of creatures that would know I was the biggest predator of them all. Every dog in the place would either go nuts or cower. I really hated when animals cowered down and were scared of me. With other shifters, I was fine with them showing that emotion, but not innocent animals. I’d never hurt them. If the dogs didn’t like me and wouldn’t come to me then…I’d not be getting Mia a dog today.

I said a silent prayer, pushed my wolf down. Surprisingly he let me, and I went inside.

“Good morning. I’m here to see Mrs. Susie. My name’s Dalton Reed,” I said to the young girl behind the counter.

She picked up a phone and I heard the intercom beep before she spoke, “Nanna, front desk please.”

I looked around until she came around the front cabinet. “Mr. Reed, so nice to meet you.” We shook hands and I smiled at the short, stocky, grey haired woman. “Why don’t you come back and I’ll introduce you to the dogs. Janna, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, Nanna.”

“Thank you for waiting on me. My girlfriend really wants a puppy and she’s talked about bulldogs before, over and over.”

“They’re smart and amazing animals. They get to a decent size, forty or so pounds.”

“I’ve done a little research on them. They’re loyal and loving dogs. I feel alright agreeing to them ‘cause—no offense, ma’am—but most girls want purse puppies. I’m a big guy, I can’t do those little purse puppies. Bulldogs are real dogs, at least. I won’t be as likely to step or sit on them.”

She laughed as she opened the door to an empty room. “I understand, son, really. Come through here and we’ll go to the back with the dogs. They’re out on the grass, getting some sun and stretching their legs.”

When we went outside, all the dogs gave me a look but seemed to stay relaxed. I moved to a blanket she indicated on the grass.

“Please have a seat and I’ll get them for you to look at.”

Twenty-five minutes later, I was still staring at two of the puppies. I could not decide which one. They were both little girls. One was hyper and playful, my wolf did nothing to scare her. She was bouncing around, yapping and growling as she tugged at my pant leg and shoe laces. Talk about adorable. The other would yap at her sister when she was stepped on, growling a little to make sure her point got across, but spent her time leaning into me as I scratched along her neck and back.

“Have you made a choice?”

I looked up at Mrs. Susie and nodded. I had. Right? My wolf grunted in acknowledgment of the little ones. He tried to act tough, but I knew he liked them too. I chuckled to myself.

“I’ll take them both, if that’s alright?”

“Oh yes, absolutely. Your girlfriend is going to be so excited. Come inside with me and we’ll get the paperwork done. While we do that, I’ll have my granddaughter get these girls ready to go to their forever home.”

I stood, both puppies cradled against my chest. They were so content there. I was honestly amazed. That’s how I knew they were meant to be with us. I handed them over to the girl at the counter and both of them whined, their little howls making my wolf perk up. His little ones were—they were fine. I had to stop that train of thought before he made me shift right there in the damn office.

They’re fine, asshole, relax. My inner thoughts slapped him and he growled at me. Better me than a little girl.

Mine!

For fuck’s sake. They’re Mia’s, shut the hell up.

When the paperwork was laid out in front of me, I looked it over. I had to agree to not sell the pups, to not abandon them on a street corner, and if there were any problems and we couldn’t keep them that we would bring them back here. None of that would happen. Once Mia saw them, she would