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We reclined onto my bed,with Perry sat up against the pillows. I laid my head into his lap, and he played with my hair, combing his fingers through it. I closed my eyes, relaxing into the moment. He rubbed his thumbs along my eyebrows and gently down the bridge of my nose. If I had my tail out, it would've been wagging hard. I sighed contently as he returned his fingertips to the top of my head, lightly rubbing them against my scalp. I felt like I was floating in a dream. Perry's scent surrounded me and the warmth of his legs cradled my head and neck, enveloping me in a cocoon of comfort andhappiness.

"There's somethingthat I want to tell you," Perry said. "But..."

"Tell me,"I said, opening my eyes. He looked down at me and shook hishead.

"Ican't."

"What? Why not?"

He looked embarrassed. "Too scary,"he said, andlaughed.

Ilaughed with him. "Tell me."He grinned and covered my ears with his hands. His soft palms were warm against my cool earlobes. His mouth moved, and I pulled his hands away. "Hey. I want to be able to hear what you're tellingme."

"Too late,"he said. "You missedit."

Igrowledand reached back to tickle his sides. "Come on, spit it out." He grabbed my hands and locked them down at his thighs. He gazed down at me, smilingapologetically.

"I'll tell you later.When I'mready."

"Why'dyou mention it if you're not ready to tellme?"

He shrugged."To give you something to look forward to forlater."

Ilaughedand wrestled free from his grip, and twisted onto my knees to face him. "Damn you," I said, and pounced on him, pinning him back into the pillows. He laughed and wrestled against me as I nipped at his neck. I slid my hands around his waist and squeezed him tightly. He wriggled and kicked his legs, and tried to tickle my waist. "Tell me, tell me," I murmured into hisneck.

"Later,"he cackled as I licked his earlobe. He wrapped his thighs around my waist and in one quick motion, twisted me onto my back so that he was on top. "Okay?" he said, smiling down atme.

"Fine, if you insist."I slid my hand around the back of his neck and gently pulled his face down to me. We kissed, and he relaxed against me, resting his head on my chest. I held him against me, his head rising and falling with each breath. Everything felt so perfect. I didn't want to move from that position. I wanted to preserve the momentforever.

We stayedlike that until we fell asleep, and drifted off into our dreamstogether.

* * *

"The White TreeTrack called to confirm the race," Christophe told me the following day. "Everything isset."

"Good."I nodded. "Excellent."

"You look nervous."

Ihuffed."No shit. The pressure ison."

"I've gotanother piece of news that might make youhappy."

"What's that?"

He straightenedhis shirt in an attempt to look dramatic. "I also got a call today from the head of the White Tree Clan. The news is traveling through the pipeline. In support of your cause, they've offered to grant you exclusive after-hours practice time at thetrack."

My mouth dropped open."Hounds of Hell. That does make mehappy."

I'd been practicingmy ass off at the abandoned track, which was out of standard, in disrepair, and was missing several of the standard obstacles that were at White Tree—ones that Gregor would've had tons of experience with from his home track. I'd told myself I'd make do with what I had, but it'd always been at the back of my mind. Without the ability to practice on a true championship track, I'd be at a greatdisadvantage.

Until now.

"And,"Christophe said, "We've been reached out to by the Birch Mountain Clan. They own Ripclaw Performance, and have offered to sponsor maintenance of your bike. The Crescent Moon's allies are behind you, Arthur. The word is gettingout."

Iwentoutside to tell Perry. He was playing with Jupiter, the both of them in their wolf forms, chasing each other around in the forest that bordered the property. I leaned against a tree and watched them, enjoying seeing their happiness. Jupiter looked so carefree, the way she bounded and pranced around, enjoying her new ability. Her ears pricked up and she sniffed the air and then looked atme.

"Arthur!"she barked, hopping excitedly into the air. She sprinted at me, her tongue lolling out the side of her muzzle, and jumped into my arms. Shifter pups weren't exactly small, and she knocked me back onto my butt. "Come and play?" she asked, licking myface.