Page 50 of Pack: Posy 3

I blew a heavy breath out of my nose, but dipped my head in a nod. Bending down to snap the collar on, she kissed the top of my head.

"I'm sorry. I know this hurts your dignity," she whispered in my ear. "Thank you for being such a good sport and helping me with these crazy pups."

Garnet would have been fine supervising them, I admitted,especially since the betas came, too. You didn't really need me.

"Oh, my dear, dear wolf. I willalwaysneed you."

Pleased with her words, affection, and attention, I smiled a little and took the handle of the leash in my mouth when she held it out.

A few months ago, I would have either laughed myself sick or ripped out the throat of anyone who suggested I would be shopping for dog toys in a pet store, yet here I was.

Wearing a damn collar, no less.

You're as whipped as the rest of us,Jayden teased.

Only for our mate,I huffed.

"Please stay by my side, Quartz," Posy requested. "I'm so nervous around strangers, and the store looks busy."

I won't leave you, little mate,I promised.If it helps, the owner, Spero Bel Aire, is one of our pack members. So are about half the employees.

"Thanks, but pack or not, they're still strangers."

I will let no human harm you, I vowed,and the shifters don't dare touch you. They know I'd kill them if they did.

Acknowledging my words with a nod, she checked to make sure my brothers and River were collared and leashed and received thumbs up from everyone. Her trembling hand clenched in my ruff, but she led the way through the automatic doors with her chin up and her shoulders back.

Our badass bitch, indeed.

Of course, six big wolves coming into a pet store drew a lot of attention. With busy noses, Topaz and Granite dragged their handlers past us in a rush, and Garnet trotted behind to help keep an eye on them.

Sid and River, on the other hand, stopped and sat like good boys while looking at the humans in the checkout line with big eyes in hopes of pets.

Attention whores,I sneered.You'll do anything for a belly rub, won't you?

Belly rubs!they shouted in unison, which made me roll my eyes.

"We'd better stay with them in case they get too much for Peri to handle alone," Posy murmured in my ear, and I agreed.

Drawn like a magnet by the babies' puppy eyes, a little human girl came running up to us.

"Hi! Can I pet your doggies?" she asked politely, her hands behind her back as she waited for a response.

"Sure," Peri told her with a smile. "They're very good boys!"

"This one walk himself!" the kid squealed and pointed at the leash in my mouth.

"He thinks he's human," Posy pretend-whispered to her, making the girl giggle, then gestured toward the others. "The one with the black stripe down his nose is Sid, and the light gray one is River. They both love cuddles."

When the girl looked at them, immediately Sid wagged his tail and River lolled his tongue.

Shameless gluttons,I scoffed at him.

Party pooper,Sid shot back, then tilted his head and asked,What glutton means, Q?

Rolling my eyes at him, I watched to see what the kid would do. Of course, she ignored them and stretched her fist out tome. I stiffened and folded my ears back, but knew I'd have to tolerate it. Posy would be upset if I so much as raised my lip at the child.

"Oh, no. Not this one." Posy turned so her body was in between the little girl and me. "You can pet any of the others, okay?"

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