Chapter 4

I went back inside, shut the bedroom door, and pulled a bottle of potion out of a drawer.

If the alpaca drank it, the backlash would hit her hard. Every time she spat, a piece of Nadia's soul dissolved—and the more she spat, the faster it would happen.

But the alpaca was smart. Anything I tried to feed her, she kicked over without fail. She only ate obediently once Julian and Leo were around. When they weren't home, she'd rather go hungry and thirsty than touch anything I offered.

My son accused me, "You're obviously not being patient with Sugar. That's why she doesn't like you!"

Julian backed him up. "Spend more time bonding with her instead of scowling all the time. If she doesn't like you, then figure out how to win her over. This is the anniversary gift our son picked out for you. If you two can't get along, think how upset that'll make Leo."

I sneered inwardly while outwardly playing the picture of humble compliance. "I understand. I'll be gentler with her."

I crouched down and held some feed up to the alpaca's mouth. "Good girl, Sugar, just take one bite for me."

She didn't so much as glance at it. Instead, she reared back and kicked me hard enough to knock me to my knees, spitting on me in the same motion.

Rather than checking on me, Leo yanked the feed straight out of my hands and held it up to her mouth himself. She shot me a scornful, superior glance before taking her time chewing it down.

Leo glared at me with disgust. "You awful woman. Sugar's the most sensitive animal in the world. She only won't eat it because you mean her harm."

I watched her finish every last bit of the feed and fought to keep the corner of my mouth from curling up. Of course, I'd known she wouldn't take it from me. I'd wanted Leo to get impatient and feed her himself, all along—because that feed had been soaked in the potion.

That night at dinner, Julian brought something up. "By the way, the kindergarten's arranged a week-long study trip abroad next week. I'll take Leo this time."

Leo cheered.

I set down my spoon and looked at the two of them. In my last life, I'd always been the one to take our son on these trips. This time, Julian had volunteered on his own—all so he could leave me alone at home with the alpaca, giving Nadia the perfect opportunity to speed up her takeover of my body.

I smiled and nodded, then helped them pack. "Good, you two have fun. I'll take good care of Sugar while you're gone."

Julian nodded, satisfied. Leo gave me a smile I hadn't seen from him in far too long.

The next morning, I saw them off. The alpaca lingered nearby, clearly reluctant to see them go, nuzzling Julian's hand and pressing a kiss to Leo's cheek. The moment the car pulled out of the driveway, my expression turned cold.

Sensing danger, the alpaca spat at me again. I sidestepped it without effort, grabbed the long fork, clamped it around her neck, and tied her to a post by the door.

Then I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I'd already saved.

"Hello, is this Silver Star Circus? I heard you recently brought in a new male alpaca?"

The voice on the other end laughed. "That's right, just imported from South America. Strong as an ox—only problem is he's in rut nonstop and hard to manage. We've been at our wits' end with him."

By the door, the alpaca lifted her head, eyes wary.

"I happen to have a female alpaca," I said. "She'd be perfect to pair with yours for breeding."

The voice paused for two seconds before agreeing eagerly. "That'd be perfect! When can you bring her by?"

"Today works."

I hung up and looked down at the alpaca crouched on the ground. She'd understood every word—her whole body was shaking uncontrollably now.

I smiled at her and pulled the rope tighter.

"Don't worry. The good days are just getting started for you. Just don't complain if your new husband spits more than you do."