Page 46 of Family: Posy 4

Spring smiled up at me and wagged his tail, and I grinned as I scratched under his chin.

Can I ask you a personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I said.

What is it, luna?

Why did you accept Reau as your human?

Spring tilted his head and his amber eyes glimmered with some emotion I couldn't name.

It's true that there is no one else who can understand our pain, but it was more than that. I could not bear to know that such a cute, innocent pup had suffered so much pain and sorrow in his short years. Something in my heart told me to protect him and love him, and I have never regretted listening to my heart.

My bottom lip wobbling, I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his ruff.

"You're a good wolf, Spring," I murmured.

"He'smygood wolf, luna." Thoreau gently put his hands on my shoulders and moved me so he could take my place. "Mywolfie."

Yes, yes. All yours, you jealous boy, Spring told him in a gentle tone and nuzzled Thoreau's cheek.

"Sure, we'll join you," Wayne said as Thoreau giggled.

"We are on adate, dude." Ash rolled his eyes and cuffed Wayne's shoulder.

"She asked us!"

"You should have been smart and said no, little bro."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want them to join us," I told Ash and rolled my eyes. "It's fine."

"Youmay be fine with it," Ash grumbled, and I elbowed him hard in the ribs. He grunted and rubbed his sore side with one hand. "Owie! Your elbows are as sharp as razor blades!"

"Hush, you giant waffle!" I hissed.

Thoreau burst out into loud giggles, then pointed at Ash and yelled "Giant waffle!"

"Calm down," Wayne murmured as he put his arm around Thoreau's shoulders. "You're getting too loud and excited."

"Sorry, Way-Way," Thoreau mumbled and hid his face in Wayne's chest.

"You're all right. Ready to play golf with Ash and Posy?"

"Yes, please!" Thoreau chirped, looking up with an angelic smile and sparkling eyes.

I think Wayne just melted into a puddle, Ash linked me with a smirk.

Who wouldn't?I giggled.I mean, look at that face!

We had a great time together, and I was interested in studying the younger boys' relationship. It was obvious to me that they cared deeply for each other, and I was fairly certain it wasn't as brothers. I only wanted them to be happy, though, and they clearly found their happiness in each other.

We were approaching the seventeenth hole when a chipmunk scampered over and stopped in the green. It stared right at us, twitching its whiskers, and Thoreau giggled and clapped his hands.

"Chippy!"

He tried to creep up to it, probably wanting to pet it. Naturally, it took off, and Thoreau ran after it.

"Don't run, Reau!" Archer shouted with a frown. "You're going to trip—"

And of course Thoreau, who was moving at his usual top speed, tripped at that moment and went down hard. Throwing his hands out in front of him, he tore his palms and knees up on the rough concrete walkway and cried out in pain.

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