The Child

Chapter 18

Brutus

I was laying in front of my little charge’s door. It was my job to protect him with my life. I love my adopted Mom with all my heart, but Oliver was my everything. He was my best friend, my playmate, and my brother. Oliver was the reason I was even in this family. The Fae Queen sent me as a gift to Marie to guard both of them from the monster. I was beyond thrilled when we found the dragon. They are strong, beautiful creatures that fight viciously for their loved ones. It meant that Marie as protected and I could solely focus on Oliver.

It is time to show them who you are, my sweet Brutus. They will have many question, and you need to answer them. Be prepared, time is running out. I will see you soon my noble pup. The Fae Queen, Grace whispered in my head.

Before I knew it, I was laying there in a ball, in a human form. I lay there naked, nervous to move on two legs. I slowly sit up, trying to get used to my new form. I stand up on shaky legs, feeling like a newborn fawn. I take a couple steps to test my balance. It’s a bizarre feeling going from four legs to two. I make my way to a mirror hanging on the wall next to the front door and gazed at myself. I didn’t look half bad. I had shaggy black hair and gentle brown eyes. I smiled at myself, letting my fangs slip out. I had the urge to wag my tail, which I realized wasn’t there. I next made my way to the couch, grabbing a blanket. I know Marie wouldn’t appreciate me sitting around naked.

I curl back down on the ground in front of Ollie’s door. I start shivering. It’s cold without all my thick fur to keep me warm. I decide to make my way to the kitchen table, sitting and waiting like the good boy I am. Pretty soon I hear movement in Marie’s bedroom, knowing she is getting ready to come out. I start to get excited, ready to be able to communicate with my adopted mom. I try to stop my butt from wiggling, but I can’t help it. I am a King Shepherd after all, and have been in dog form since I was born. I guess it’s ingrained in me.

I hear the bedroom door open as my mom tiptoes to the coffeemaker. She didn’t notice me yet. I sit patiently, hoping she sees me sitting at the table. After she starts the coffeemaker, I can’t contain my excitement any longer. I stand up and walk closer to her. I awkwardly clear my throat.

Marie whips her head around and is about to scream, but I stop her before she can. I don’t want her to wake the dragon. He would definitely try to kill me, because he wouldn’t recognize me.

I clear up who I am for mom, and she finally settles down. Without warning the dragon stomps out of the bedroom, observing the scene in the kitchen. He pins his gaze on me and lets out a warning growl. Marie runs up to him and starts rubbing his arm, stopping him from doing anything crazy. After he finally grasps the situation, he pours himself coffee and sits down at the table next to Marie. He scoots closer to her in a protective manner. We all sit in silence, just staring at each other. I know they need time to process that I am not just a simple dog.

The front door flies open and the wolf walks in with his Beta carrying grocery bags.

“Who wants breakfast?” The wolf asks with a big grin. He looks around the table, realizing I am not supposed to be there. He shoves the groceries he is carrying into the Betas arms, then quickly moves to Marie, getting into a fighting stance. His canines grow, then let’s out a primal growl. Marie puts her hand on his shoulder, letting him know I am not a threat. He slowly relaxes.

“This is Brutus, Kane. He is going to answer our questions. I’ll start making breakfast while you guys talk,” mom says as she goes up to Joey to kiss him on the cheek. He then grabs her waist and slams his lips to her. After a brief make out session, he lays his forehead on hers, then let’s her go to kitchen. I see Kane looking at her longingly. I can’t help but smirk, because I can’t wait to tell them what I know.

Kane sits down at the table next to Joey waiting for me to start talking. I see the Beta slip out the door silently to handle the morning patrol.

“So you have a human form?” Kane looks me over, not sure what to make of the situation.

“I didn’t know I could shift till about an hour ago. I heard the Fae Queen talking to me then I woke up like this. I prefer my original form, but this is necessary for communication. I know you have a lot of questions for me, I am ready to answer as much as I can. Sadly, somethings I can’t answer. However, the witch can, as well as Grace, the Fae Queen can.”

“Ok, the first question I have is why do you hold Ollie down and lick him like he is a pup?” Joey looks at me with one eyebrow c****d up.

“That’s simple,” I start laughing. I wasn’t expecting that to be the first question.

“I am covering his scent. If I smell him too much, I give him a “Brutus bath” as Marie likes to call it. I try to make him smell like me to confuse the demons.” Joey nods in understanding. Marie walks up, placing a yummy breakfast in front of me. I am mainly used to scraps, but a whole meal! This was awesome!

“Well, you are human now, I can’t in good conscience feed you dog food, knowing you are like this. I need to keep my sweet boy well fed,” she says as she runs her hand through my hair, giving me a loving look. I can’t help but wiggle a little and blush. It felt amazing having her accept me in this form.

I look at the plate and see she made me four over easy eggs, a bunch of bacon and sausage, along with toast. She knows me so well. I am not versed in using forks and knives so I dig in with my hands. She just laughs at me, shaking her head as she serves the dragon and the wolf.

We all eat in silence till I hear a little whimper from the bedroom. Oliver is waking up. Marie moves to go get him, but before she can stand up, Kane is already at his door. He disappears through the doorway.

“Hey buddy, good morning! Did you have good sleep?” We all hear Kane coo to Ollie as they walk into the kitchen. Oliver is rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as Kane carries him over to Marie. Ollie had other plans and reaches for Joey. Joey chuckles, grabbing the toddler from Kane.

Good morning Oliver. I hope you slept well. I mind link him. No one knows, Ollie and I have been mind linking since he was born. He is not sure how to mind link back, but he knows it’s me talking to him. He always smiles when I talk to him. He reaches on Joeys plate and snags a piece of bacon. He gets down from Joeys lap then slowly walks up to me, eyeing me curiously. He pulls my hand, causing me to bend down to meet his adorable face. After he is satisfied with his inspection of me he shoves the piece of bacon in my mouth. I can’t help but laugh.

“Boo! Dog dog!” Ollie screams excitedly and claps. I smile at him as he makes his way back to Marie. She gets him settled in his high chair and serves him his breakfast. Kane and Joey were cleaning up as Marie makes sure Ollie eats. I can tell Marie is thinking way too hard, trying to deal with the chaos of the last couple days. Our little lives have been turned upside down. I was surprised she was handling it so well. Joey walks up and refills her coffee, kissing her on the top of the head as she smiles at him. I see the love between them and the bond becoming stronger.

After all the dishes are done and everyone gets situated, I prepare to share what I know.

“So I should probably start at the begin. The Fae Queen, Grace, had a vision about 3 years ago. She saw a child, an angel, a dragon, and a wolf fighting a powerful demon. She felt that it would help if she sent someone to guard you, so she sent me. I was just a small pup, but she sent me with specific instructions to guard you with my life. Grace told me of the prophecy, but she told me the prophecy got it wrong. There is not one great protector, but two. One is a dragon, and the other is…” I take a pause for dramatic affect. I see Marie lean forward in her seat, grabbing Joey’s arm tightly.

“And?!” Marie shouts at me.

“And a wolf…” I say looking at Kane. Marie’s jaw is on the floor while Joey is gripping her waist, growling at Kane. Kane looks between the four of us, clearly confused.

“Marie, you have two mates. Not one.” I smirk as I look at Kane.

“What?!” Joey and his dragon roar at the same time. Then all hell breaks loose.