“We’re back. Mother’s here.”

“Well, hello there, little lady.” Charles presses his mouth against the mother’s. Was I allowed to see that? It looked strangely private. They move apart from each other and return to serving guests.

Master shoves me as they touch faces. “I can’t believe you can watch that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, kissing. Spreading germs into each other’s mouths.”

“Oh.”

He pushes me again. “You’re a dog. You’re probably used to it.”

I do not understand what he means.

The crowd around our stand grows larger. Am I allowed to watch and help these people? Or is there a special way of doing it? Charles and the mother make the entire process seem easy. All of them focus on sorting coins and papers and handing them back and forth to the guests. When the last person in line leaves, I ask how to help. Charles smiles. “Don’t let anyone steal.”

“Okay.”

“And if they do, he’s probably Alair, and you can chase him down and bring him back here. Where I’ll be waiting.” He grins, his eyes glinting.

“I understand.”

He places a hand on my head again. “Good.”

I catch Master’s eye, and he looks strangely angry again. I try to think about what I did wrong, but I do not recall anything. He looks away, and I return to watching the tables.

We spend the rest of the day helping guests, sitting, and waiting. Master is quiet for most of it, while Charles and the mother, or “Lydia,” as Charles says, speak to many of the others at the market. I watch the shadows grow darker as the day comes to an end. Many of the other vendors begin to pack up the last of their goods.

Master tugs on my leash, but it is not as strong as it was earlier. He must be tired. I had the urge to tuck him into bed. “Come on. You have to go back.”

- - - - -

“Hello, dears.” The seer looks up from her work and clasps her hands. “How was Pup? Not every day you meet an omega, hmm?”

“He was okay.” Master turns the leash around in his hand, rubbing the material, sounding bored.

I bow to him. “Thank you for this day, Master.”

“Ma’am,” says the mother. She looks wary. Did she speak more to the seer when we were away? Even though she left the seer’s stand before us? “Our family will need to talk about this privately. There’s a lot to consider. It’s not like we can just take someone in like this.”

“Have all the time you need, dear.” The seer’s voice is lazy. “Consider it carefully. Remember the benefits. He can sleep on the floor. He can cook for everyone in the house. He’s obedient, will never tell a lie, and will stay by the master’s side forever.” She winks at Master. “And, young man, think about what it would be like to have a close friend.”

“I already have friends.”

The seer raises her eyebrows and seems to lean towards him. He leans away. “Really, dear? Maybe our definition of what a friend is, is quite different.”

He is quiet, but I cannot tell if it is out of surprise, fear, or just not knowing what to say.

The seer tilts her head thoughtfully, tapping her fingers on her chin. “Well, you did tell me you wanted to teach him a little reading and writing. And you were quite excited to show him around the market. I heard a few others talk about you and Pup today. He’s a little like a brother, hm?”

Both the boy and his mother tense. The seer chuckles and shakes her head sadly. “Forgive me, my dears. I’m sorry I brought up such a sensitive subject. My intent was for you to consider having an omega in your home. He’s a capable and trustworthy boy. I think young Alli is growing quite fond of him already.” She turns to us. “Isn’t that so?”

The mother clears her throat. “This is something I will discuss with my husband.”

“I understand, dear. Were there any other concerns you had about keeping an omega?”

The mother nods. “Even if he is an omega, there’s always the safety to consider. The full moon. Him being a wolf living with humans.”

The boy scoffs. “He can’t even turn into an actual wolf. He even said.”

“Not only that, Alli, but we don’t personally know anyone who isn’t human,” says the mother. The boy opens his mouth, but the mother speaks again. “Those children are human, Alair, and please remember that.” The mother’s mouth becomes a line, which reminds me of the look the boy gave me earlier. I suppose they really were related.

“This discussion will take a while, won’t it?” They look up at the seer’s words. She spreads her hands in the air. “Please, take as much time as you need. We’ll be here next week, waiting.”

I bow. “I look forward to seeing you.”

The mother smiles, still looking wary. “Thank you, ma’am. We’ll be going now.”

“Hm.” The boy stares at me, like he is trying to remember what to say. His jaw tightens.

There is a long silence before he turns and walks away with his mother.

The seer pats me on the head, and it reminds me of Charles and the boy. She begins breaking down the stand. I collect her materials and line the stools, table, and easel for her to shrink and place in the bag.

Someone is watching us. I look up to see the boy turn away and continue walking down the path, now filled with humans packing up and going home.

“He’ll be back, Pup. Don’t you worry even a little.”

And it sounds like the truth.