Page 59 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“I’m glad you like it,” Echo said. “Oh, the reason I wanted to eat out here is…” He grabbed a remote and turned on the television. “They’re showing reruns of Shark Week from last year.”

Mael growled. “Fuck sharks.”

“The more this little prey animal knows about them, the easier they are to avoid or evade,” Echo said.

“I suppose I’ll allow it, then,” Mael grumbled.

“Like that trick you did, flipping that one on his back. I knew it was called tonic immobility because of watching Shark Week.”

“I didn’t know it was called that,” Mael said, chuckling. “I just know we have to flip them before they get their teeth in us. Then they’re easy pickings.”

“You definitely made it look easy,” Echo said, his voice low.

Mael caught a glimmer of fear coming from Echo. “You know I’m never going to hurt you, right? It couldn’t have been easy seeing me do that, but I need you to know that I willneverturn that on you.”

“I know that,” Echo replied, but he didn’t sound confident.

“As your alpha, my job is to protect you. I take that role seriously.” He took Echo’s hand and brought it to his lips. “I also don’t make a habit of going after whites unless they’re endangering the pod. You’re part of my pod now. They endangered you, and I saw red.”

“I’m thankful you were there.”

“Me, too,” Mael whispered.

Echo kissed his bicep before returning to his meal. The little furry monster Mael met Friday night made an appearance, investigating their dinner. After circling the coffee table twice, it plopped in the middle of Mael’s lap and meowed loudly.

“She normally hates strangers,” Echo murmured.

“I found her sleeping on my pillow yesterday morning. She hissed at me—but then curled up on my shoulder, purring in my ear.”

Echo looked at him oddly. “Really? The hissing part sounds about right, but she typically does that and then goes to hide for the rest of the night.”

The cat rubbed itself all over Mael’s leg.

“She knows I won’t give her table scraps, so she’s come to beg you,” Echo said. He pointed at Mael. “Don’t you do it either. She gets plenty of food.”

“Of course,” Mael said all while sneaking out a piece of pancetta and slipping it to the cat.

“I saw that. You’re going to spoil her and make her fat.”

“One little piece of bacon isn’t going to hurt,” Mael said. He glanced down at the cat, giving it a few pets on the back of the head. “Papa said I can’t give you anymore. He’s so mean.”

Mael turned to grin at Echo but paused at the odd look his mate gave him.“What?”

Echo fought a smile and turned his head. “Nothing.”

He wanted to ask again but left it alone. Echo dug in, eating a healthy portion much to Mael’s delight, yet there was plenty of food on the table. Mael ate everything his little dolphin didn’t.

“Should I make a little more?”

Mael patted his stomach. “I’m stuffed. No more.”

He collected plates and silverware. Echo joined in.

“No. You cook, I clean. I understand that’s the rule.”

“You don’t know where everything is. The two of us together can get it done faster,” Echo said before yawning.

“I’ll figure it out,” Mael said. “I know how a kitchen works, I swear.”

---