Epilogue Felix
EPILOGUE
FELIX
Three months earlier
The baker omega woke up too early for my tastes. I was left in a rapidly cooling bed. Curled up against nothing like a fool.
I yawned, somewhat disgruntled as I took in my surroundings. Hmm. There was food left for me in a bowl. All right. I suppose I could forgive her for the transgression of not being my heated pillow.
Where was she, anyway? I peeked downstairs and saw her working away, flour all over her apron. Good. I could explore in peace without her smothering me with kisses.
I liked this apartment. Deliveries turned up regularly, which meant open cardboard boxes for me to jump into.
Just wonderful. There was also lots for me to sniff.
Different shoes and clothes left on the floor every day.
I nosed around in the pile and was pleased to find she had interacted with two of the brothers I had in mind for her.
What else was there? Oh . The bathroom cabinet was open. A new area! I raced toward it, ears flicked back for maximum torque. What was that sound? A leak? There it was. The steady drip-drip-drip of water.
Sure enough, a small pool of water had collected beneath the twisty pipe. That wouldn’t do. I had to get a better look at where the leak was coming from. I crouched down into a pounce and rocketed toward the pipe.
I confirmed three things very quickly:
I knew nothing of human plumbing.
I still did not like water.
The pipe could not hold my weight.
I darted out of the bathroom frantically and dove back into the nest to hide. That loud snap had terrified me. I buried myself deeper until I was safe, refusing to come out. This was where I would stay for the foreseeable future.
Except the sound of water was definitely getting louder. Gurgling. Rushing.
I wiggled slowly toward the keyhole of light and poked out my head.
Water.
Everywhere .
Shame filled me, a foreign emotion. Foolhardy property destruction was beneath me. And worse than that—I had hurt one of my girls.
I was only trying to help. Had I lost my touch? How could this happen before the last omega found her pack?
I was Icarus, too close to the sun, my wings alight.
How could I set things right? I raced next door to find the beta, only to see that he was already on the way over.
I wasn’t needed.
As I watched the other omegas converge on the bakery, I resolved to only intervene when I had no choice. And…listen. I could do that. Sit there and listen to humans talk.
My fur shuddered involuntarily.
The last omega needed a pack worthy of her, and I needed my redemption.
Present day
After the weepy omega thanked me for not intervening, I decided I was always right.
Even when I thought I was wrong. The broken pipe had been a misstep, but it had all worked out in the end.
Spectacularly so. It was an unfortunately placed domino that set off the perfect chain of events that led to another happy pack.
It was regrettable that they would never be privy to the extent of my efforts, down to burning rue seeds in the empty pack house to break the curse. But that was the price I paid for being so competent, knowing I had to sacrifice my own glory.
I meandered back toward the carnival. Contemplating whether I could be the most powerful creature in existence.
My god, was that a cardboard box?
It was! I immediately leaped in.
I blinked and the night deepened further. How long had I been sitting here for? I shook out my stiff limbs and padded onward, weaving through the now-empty lanes of booths being stripped down.
My minion was still there with his husband. He gave me the same reproachful look as always because I was a constant reminder of his inferiority.
“Will you be finally coming home with us? Done with the house hopping?”
My tail swished lazily. For now . I had to admit I was looking forward to finding the perfect spot to nap in for at least three months.
Stanley and Harry’s couch was positioned just right to be bathed in the morning sun.
Then I could move to the office and catch the afternoon sun if I sprawled on the rug there.
It was impossible to get my fur out of it, and I got in the way of Stanley often, so it was perfect.
However, house hopping was integral to my process to keep up to date with everyone. It was the best way for me to rule over this town. I would never stop it entirely.
“Honestly, I should’ve known he would be trouble. A rare male calico. Genetic miracle, they said. And turning up on our stoop on the day of my election, no less,” Stanley huffed. “What on earth were we thinking when we adopted him?”
“I dunno, I feel pretty lucky.” Harry grinned. “Living with the two mayors of Starlight Grove.”
Always liked him. Would make lap biscuits for him posthaste.
“Not you, too,” Stanley bemoaned.
“You have to admit he’s earned it.”
I certainly had. It had been an eventful year.
Stanley sighed wearily, but his expression softened as he looked down at me. “Well, come on. I still have your favorite scratching post.”
The last of the summer carnival lights flickered off behind me as I followed Stanley and Harry home.
The end.