Wild Love

Chapter 16

Jael didn’t stay out long, it was just for him to relieve himself as Kira wasn’t sure he could use the bathroom.

When he returned, Kira was already in the kitchen cooking breakfast. She didn’t bother taking her bath because she planned to give Jael a bath and doing so would get her messy.

It was his third day in her cottage and so much had happened the past two days that she didn’t get the chance to give Jael a bath.

Kira immediately stopped chopping up greens for the omelet she was about to make when she heard Jael’s familiar thump on the front door, hurrying to let him in.

He shook out his fur before stepping into the hallway, he was so thorough with it that Kira didn’t need to brush him off, it made her beam.

“Breakfast is almost ready,” She started a conversation with him as she lead the way to the kitchen. “After breakfast, it’s time for your bath.” She added resuming her chopping while Jael got comfortable in his corner.

Jael looked up at her in disbelief. A bath? When it was this cold? He wasn’t looking forward to it.

Kira caught a glimpse of his expression and couldn’t help laughing. “What? You don’t like baths?”

Jael snorted, he didn’t want to turn Kira down but the thought of bathing in ice-cold water in this weather did not appeal to him, even his fur wouldn’t save him from the cold.

After breakfast, it was time for the dreaded bath. Jael dragged his paws as Kira led the way to the bathroom in what used to be his room, even her laughter couldn’t distract him from what was to come.

They got to the bathroom and Kira busied herself with filling up the bathtub with hot water while Jael stayed at the doorway, wary.

“It’s all set, Jael.” Kira turned to him when she was done. “Could you step in?”

Jael gave her one more judgemental look but accepted his fate, walking forward. He first tested the water with the tip of his nose and was startled when the temperature was different from what he had been expecting.

Kira frowned at this, did he not really like bathing after all? She was already considering possible alternatives to a wet bath when Jael hopped right into the bath, the water spilling out from his mass.

The bathtub was already very big, to begin with, it was one of Kira’s favorite things about the cottage. The bathtubs in both bathrooms were large and made of burnished wood so it was an easy and comfortable fit for Jael.

She squealed in surprise when some of the heated water got on her, startled out of her thoughts.

Kira quickly scrapped the thought of alternatives when she caught the look of bliss on Jael’s face. “You like?” She smiled.

Jael’s response was a happy howl and more water splashing, he acted like a puppy in a pool and Kira had to quickly calm him down so that he didn’t empty the tub in his excitement.

She had done some shopping for Jael too, buying him a proper brush and toiletries for big dogs. He was very different from a big dog but she hoped it would work the same.

Jael made bath time very fun, he was obedient and sat still while Kira lathered up his fur. Only jumping around when he saw bubbles flying around and Kira had to quickly calm him down again.

After the bath, Kira dried him up with a big fluffy towel and wrapped another around him when she was done.

Then she led him inside the bedroom for a typical drying session with her hair dryer. She already knew that Jael liked this part so she didn’t worry.

When he was all dried, Kira opened the door and directed him to the living room. She put on a show for Jael after making sure that he was comfortable on the couch, she grabbed a blanket to replace the towel to make sure that Jael was warm.

“I have to go clean up now.” She told him, gesturing at herself. “Because of your playfulness, I’m drenched.” She accused him.

Jael’s response was a self-righteous huff and he forced himself not to look at Kira until she left the room, it made Kira shake her head fondly in the typical way she did whenever Jael got an attitude.

Jael finally cracked and looked at the door for a long time. He really wanted to stay here forever and he couldn’t help but hope that Kira would choose to keep him, even when he changed into his human form.

He returned to the show playing on the television, sniffing himself in disappointment. All of Kira’s scent had been washed off him and replaced by some fake flowery scent that he wasn’t a big fan of.

Kira returned not long after, all cleaned up and dressed in a fresh pair of thick clothes. She had also stopped by the kitchen to grab snacks and was holding a plate of brownies for herself and another plate of cut-up apples and berries for Jael.

Most werewolves didn’t eat in their werewolf form, the ones that lived in the city didn’t even get the opportunity to shift at all. Shifting long enough to eat in their wolf form was out of the question.

This meant that Kira had to do a bit of research on what werewolves could eat and what could be potentially harmful to them.

She already knew Jael’s preferences, he loved whatever, as long as it was red meat. Chicken and turkey were a solid second and he wished he could throw fish off the list.

She wanted him to have a healthy diet though so even though he wasn’t a big fan of fish, she would still prepare it for him.

Kira sat on the couch beside Jael and as soon as the tray that held the plates was put down she immediately tried to pet Jael’s fur. His black fur glowed and was very puffy, who could resist?

Also, she was very observant whenever she interacted with Jael, if he didn’t like something, she took a mental note and tried not to do it again. Unless it involved his health like fish.