Chapter 23. Back to Square One-2

Gathering myself into a sitting position, I gingerly stick out my paw. I'm soaked from head to toe, ruining Dante's fresh bedcovers and with grimace, Dante cups my hairy face. Dante gathers the bedcovers, tucking them around me.

"This is going to hurt a little, love." He whispers, clasping both of his hands around my paw.

A little whimper of wariness escapes me. I know Dante has to act quick, and before I can compose myself, he clicks my paw into place with a loud snap. I howl in pain and embarrassingly, tears cloud my vision. Jeez, that hurt.

"It's done, you're alright." Dante murmurs into my ear, stroking my damp fur. "Shift."

Heeding his words, I revert back to my human form. Slightly mesmerised by Dante's intense gaze, I forget the lack of clothing. Thankfully, he remembers, tucking the covers around me in the nick of time. With a lengthly cringe, I realise I still have tears in my eyes, which softens Dante's unsmiling face.