6

Clever sighed, not once but many times already.

“How long should I stay in this place?” He said boringly, staring at the dogs, glancing at him. “You guys don’t know how to respect me, do you?” He once again sighed. “Is that human an has no idea what a shifter is?”

He really can’t believe the woman thought he was an ordinary pet, even with his big figure…

He can't do anything in his form, and he was sick of the dogfood he could see all around; he could smell it swirling around.

"Argh! When will I be back to normal?" Clever complained to himself.

He wanted to yank his own hair out of frustration; he was worried for his pack. It’s been two days after the commotion, and in that short period of time, so many things can happen.

The sound of the chain immediately made him look at the entrance, but to his disappointment, a couple entered the shop… and not the person he was waiting to arrive.

"Look! A this one is so big... but it’s cute." The girl giggles and walks closer to him, but before she can pet it, Clever growls.

"Don't touch me! Who do you think you are to try touching me?! You're not even that cute like that human!" Clever mumbled but realized what he said made him feel more frustrated.

An hour passed ...

Two hours....

Three ...

Four…

Clever could hear every sound of the clock, even the honk of the cars from the busy street. Everyone is going home from their work, yet Serene hasn’t come back to pick him up.

Five hours…

He immediately stood up when he finally smelled a familiar scent coming from outside.

"It's Serene!" Clever shouted in his mind, but immediately cleared his throat to hide the excitement he was feeling.

Serene entered the shop, but before Clever could take her attention, the office door on the side opened like the man inside also knew she arrived.

“Finally, you’re here!” Frio said and took her bag. “Come on, sit down first and take some rest.” He smiled at her, and Serene just nodded.

Clever’s excitement immediately disappeared when the first thing she smiled at was not him; she did not even bother to check him.

"Ha! After she leaves me here for a few hours, will she greet someone else first?!" said Clever, disgusted, and went back to lying down and turned a blind eye.

Why does he even care?

He’s not an attention seeker; he can have all the attention without even trying.

‘All I need is get back to my human form,” he mumbled to himself.

Eventually, he felt Serene's presence beside him.

Clever can smell the alcohol in Serene's breath, which made his brows furrow.

"Hey, cutie! I'm back, come on, and let's go home." Serene cheerfully yet gently called him, but Clever didn't even move or look at her.

Clever doesn't know why he feels this way, disgusted for no apparent reason.

Why does he have to be sulking when she did not approach him right away?

‘She really is acting like I’m just her pet! Does she think that just because she called me using her gentle voice will make me look at her? No way! I’m not her dog— Dog?! When did I even admit to myself that I’m a simple dog?

He sighed, opened his eyes slowly, and a smiling face was the first thing he saw. Even though he wanted to be angry for a long time, it was as if all his annoyance had melted away.

‘What is happening to me? It’s just a simple smile yet… I feel like I can tolerate her for more hours.’

Clever groaned; he thought it a side effect of the medicine Frank had injected into him.

He stood and finally faced her.

There was a wide smile still plastered on her face as he ruffled his fur. Clever tried to ignore it, yet those smiles were too captivating for him not to stare.

“Let’s go home, I’m sorry for being late,” she gently said once again, continuing to caress his fur.

-

 Only the moon gives light as they walk slowly together.

"Hey, Cutie! Take a look at me. We only met yesterday, and then you're getting mad at me." Serene's whining, she felt bad because she could feel like the dog didn’t want her anymore. This was the first time she would take care of a dog, and she didn’t know what to do in such instances.

Clever frowned.

"Don't talk to me. Even if I can speak, I won't talk to you!" He was still annoyed, yet worried for her. She’s a bit tipsy, not even walking straight. “You have no right to leave me there and make me wait for too long.” For Clever, his whole life, he had never waited like that!

But Serene has no idea why he’s sulking; they can’t even talk about it, and it makes Clever feel more frustrated.

He is still sulking when they got home.

"Hey, cutie! Hey!" She tries to coax him, her voice cracked, and she seems about to cry.

It was inevitable that Clever would feel sorry for her.

"Oh shoot! Don't look miserable, how can I be mad at you!" He said irritably.

“How could you try to trick me with that look?” Clever couldn't believe he was getting affected easily.

Serene removed the leash gently, making sure he wouldn’t get hurt. She smiles, yet Clever quickly lay down on the sofa and pretended to be asleep again. 

Serene sighed deeply, still trying to understand what was going on. She stood and walked toward the sofa and sat down on the floor. She slowly rubs his back gently. She let herself get distracted by how soft his fur is.

"Hey, cutie, look at me, I'm sorry if you're left alone there. I can't leave you here at home alone because your wound isn't healed yet, and I can't take you to work because we'll be scolded."  She whispered. She knew that he couldn’t understand her, yet she still wanted to explain… somehow.

But Clever didn't budge; he was determined to ignore her, and he had no intention of paying attention to her at all.

Yet, she kept stroking his hair; he didn't know, but he felt a peace and strange relief.

But he still didn't change his mind. “Does she think I will let it slide just because she’s being like this?” He mumbled.

He was still angry with her; if only the woman knew how many people had been petting him all day.

“I would still accept it if she’s the one who petted me all day, I can tolerate it since she saved me, but no! It’s different, humans!” He groaned. “Who are they to pet me! I’m an Alpha!”

Serene felt upset when he didn't even react to what she did. She pulled him gently to face her, and Clever didn't complain.

"I'm sorry, Cutie!" She whispered as she suddenly kissed him quickly; she didn’t even give Clever a chance to react. 

Clever Eye's Widened and his body became stiff!

Within three seconds of their lips touching, Clever's form changed…