Hunt Me! I Crave the Chase (Spooky Boys #3)

“He does look like Mutt,” Theo agreed simply. “He must’ve made an impression if you’re naming your dog after him.” He was gentle as he pulled out his supplies, and I knew jack shit about dogs or exams—or anything like that—but Theo looked like he knew what he was doing.

Mutt didn’t seem scared of him either, and that had been my biggest fear if he actually was a dog—and not a werewolf pretending to be one.

“So,” I said, chewing on my lip. “Drink?”

The big dog was docile as a bunny now as he let Theo begin his examination. He checked his ears and his fur, carding through it with large, gentle hands. I took a seat on the couch, watching him curiously. “A drink would be nice, yeah.” Theo smiled at me, his tone gentle.

Immediately I hopped to my feet and scurried into the kitchen. I had a few orange sodas in my fridge for when Blair came by, so I snagged one of them. And then I paused, stock still—because I could hear Theo talking and I…yep. Okay. I had not been paranoid after all.

All my suspicions were suddenly made reality.

“Mutt. You owe me for this,” Theo’s voice was soft but amused. “I don’t know what—but you definitely owe me.”

Mutt whined.

“This is weird, even for us,” Theo added with a chuckle. “I get that you want to protect him, but there’s gotta be a limit to that.”

A growl.

“Fine.”

I pushed out of the kitchen, soda in hand, a smile on my face. Offering it to Theo, my heart thumping, I pretended like I hadn’t just overheard their entire muttered conversation. I took my seat on the couch again, leaning over the back of it, watching Mutt with curious eyes.

Huh.

So he was…

I mean?—

I’d have to react properly to this later, but for now, I needed to keep my poker face on so neither of them would know what I’d heard.

“So…how do you know Mutt?” I asked, playing dumb. I was curious. Well…more than a little curious.

I could admit I had a bit of a crush.

I mean….

Who the fuck asks for squirrel at a diner?

Mutt.

That’s who.

He was weird, and cute—and he liked to stick his fingers up my butt. So like…that made him kinda perfect? Lying about being a dog, aside.

“He didn’t tell you?” Theo arched a dark brow, looking amused.

“Uh. No.”

“Not surprised.” Theo nodded and then…frustratingly kept silent. He continued to check Mutt-the-dog, and I watched, though my skin was itching for more information. After what felt like a zillion years, Theo finally answered my question. “He’s my brother.”

“Your brother?” I blinked, surprised.

“One of five pups,” Theo hummed, eyes twinkling. “Adopted,” he added, looking amused. “Aside from Mutt and Butters.”

“Butters?” I squinted. I’d thought the name Mutt was ridiculous. Butters was somehow worse.

“Mhmm,” Theo scratched behind Mutt’s ears in a way that looked way too familiar, like he’d done it a thousand times, and Mutt woofed good-naturedly, his tail wagging. “Blond as his name suggests.”