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"My brother and I playing as children," I answered quietly. Her lips formed a surprised O and she didn't press more. She knew that my family was a sore spot in my heart.

"So, no cheesecake for me," she said, burping as a broken heart bubble appeared. That one felt more like a party trick than an emotion.

"What? I tried it, now it’s your turn," I teased.

"You know that I'm an ugly crier, that's just plain mean," she said, picking up a cookie instead.

"Who isn't?" I reminded her. "How's that cookie?"

"Salty," she answered as she spit out the bite in her mouth. "I think that he mixed up the sugar and salt."

Her demeanor shifted and anger replaced the disgust on her face and she smashed her plate, dessert and all on the floor.

"Shit," I muttered. Either we needed to get out of here before she threw more things or another bite of one of the others we've tried.

"Forget the cookie. "Here, finish my cake," I offered a bit on my fork towards her.

Blake swatted the fork away and threw her water cup at the waitress.

Okay, out of here it was.

"Can you put all of this on my tab and I'll come back tomorrow?" I asked as I pulled Blake from her chair.

The waitress nodded and started to clean up Blake's mess with a sigh. It wasn’t her first today, I’d bet.

"I'd toss the cookies," I warned her from over my shoulder before we made it across the threshold and into the cool night air.

"Why'd we leave?" Blake asked as she raised a hand to her head as if it was aching.

"I couldn't cover anymore damage if we stayed. The cookies were full of anger and I couldn't get you to eat the cake. So, it was simpler to head out," I explained. "Next time, we will take them to go."

"Oh, a moonlight picnic. I like that idea," she smiled at me. "Man, my head hurts. Walk me home?"

There was a little growl from behind me.

"Come out, Dorian, you can escort us," I called out to my hiding alpha.

He trotted out in his full wolf form, stopping next to me as Blake shrieked.

"Oh, my goodness, what a cute puppy!" she exclaimed and ran a finger through his hair.

"Um, that he is, but this is one of my mates. Can you not pet him?" I asked, swallowing down my omega's growl. I knew she didn’t mean anything by it but, apparently, my inner omega was ready to fight.

"Fuck, I'm sorry. But he is so cute and you know I love animals," she defended, taking a healthy step away.

"I know but this is different and I don't want to have to take you to the hospital for a wolf bite," I joked to lighten the mood as Dorian rubbed against my leg a little to calm me.

"Fine," she sulked, "next time I'll keep my hands to myself. Does he have any shifter friends?"

The hopefulness in her tone had me laughing but I promised to ask him later for her. He trotted alongside us as we dropped her off at home then headed for Rook’s place.

It was impossible to call it home still. There was that magistrate edge to it that felt out of place and I wondered if we’d be allowed to make a few… adjustments.

As we stepped up to the back door Dorian shifted again. I was going to have to get used to his nakedness before too long but I still squeaked and rushed upstairs.

“I’m going to work on some potions!

“What’s going on in here, little witch?”