Chapter 12
Chapter 12 The Stoat That Claimed Her Shoulder
fine, this will do perfectly p>
Lyra didn’t press the matter any further.
She slid another slip of paper through the service slot.
“Alright, just let me know if you need anything else. This is my first time here, so I’m still learning the ropes p>
Cedric’s face softened with gratitude.
A
owe you so much for not minding all the trouble I’ve put you through p>
thought crossed his mind, and he fixed his gaze on her note.
“You came to work here all alone, with no prior experience p>
Lyra nodded.
Cedric fell quiet for a heartbeat, then forced a calm, easy smile back onto his face.
“If that’s the case, you need to stay extra careful when you’re by yourself p>
Lyra tilted her head in total confusion.
What was he warning her about?
Seeing her blank, puzzled expression, Cedric smiled faintly.
“Nothing serious, just a friendly heads–up. Hopefully you’ll never run into any trouble p>
Lyra scratched the back of her head, still confused.
Right then-
Meow.
A huge, fluffy cat with matted, patchy fur darted out from Cedric’s side and hopped straight up onto the service window ledge.
“Mochi, don’t go wandering off like that p>
Cedric spoke gently, reaching out to lift the stocky, heavy cat back down with slow, tender movements.
Lyra blinked.
Mochi? The name matched its bulky frame so well…
Cedric was about to apologize to Lyra when the big cat scrambled back up to the window again.
It yowled repeatedly before leaping directly into Lyra’s laundry cart.
16:45 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 12 The Stoat That Claimed Her Shoulder
The cart reeked of dozens of different spirit animal scents, making the cat anxious; it bounced around like a
led spring before launching itself onto Lyra’s shoulder.
Cedric’s white stoat spirit animal had been darting around his cell chasing his other pets, and the giant cat just wanted a quiet spot to nap–hence its desperate escape.
Lyra’s slight, slender frame wobbled hard under the cat’s weight.
What an agile heavy cat!
Terrified the feline might accidentally scratch her, Cedric called out in a rush.
“Mochi! Come back right now p>
Lyra cupped the soft, bulky cat with both hands and waved a hand at Cedric to signal it was no trouble.
She had a gentle, approachable aura, and her skin radiated warmth.
Mochi relaxed instantly, settling docilely into her arms.
Cedric rushed to apologize, then snapped at his spirit animal to calm down its wild antics.
Even though it was his own spirit animal, Cedric’s mild, easygoing temperament meant the stoat was just as hyper and playful as all his other pets.
Inside the cell, his other cats scrambled up onto high shelves to avoid the pure–white stoat darting around.
Only his bundles of energetic dogs hopped back and forth, playing roughly with the stoat.
Sharp click–clacks of paws hitting the metal floor mixed with the dogs‘ breathless, excited panting echoed out into the hallway.
While Cedric worked to settle the chaos in his cell, Lyra stroked Mochi’s thick fur and peeked curiously through the window.
His cell spanned over 1,600 square feet, split into separate zones with hanging fabric curtains.
The wide main area was stuffed full of cat trees, dog beds, and glass terrariums lined up across every table surface.
The space had been neat and orderly earlier, but the dogs and stoat’s rough play left clothes and toys scattered everywhere.
“Snow, over here p>
Cedric’s tone dipped slightly firm. The stoat twisted around and pounced straight onto his shoulder.
He turned to address his pack of golden retrievers, huskies, border collies, beagles, samoyeds, and other small dog breeds.
“Go play with your toys quietly, cut the roughhousing p>
Lyra stared silently through the window.
16:45 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 12 The Stoat That Claimed Her Shoulder
This whole crew looked like a full demolition crew waiting to tear the place apart.
Snow, perched on Cedric’s shoulder, caught sight of Mochi curled up in Lyra’s arms. Its glossy black eyes lit up/instantly.
Before Cedric could react, it sprang forward lightning–fast to jump for the cat.
“ Snow p>
Cedric spun around to yell after it, freezing completely the next second.
Mochi let out a sharp meow and vaulted off Lyra’s lap in an instant.
Lyra let out a quiet breath of relief–only to feel another warm, tiny soft weight land on her shoulder.
She twisted her head and locked eyes with the small white stoat sitting right beside her cheek.
Its lithe, streamlined body was far lighter and slimmer than the cat’s.
It craned its long neck forward, sniffing at Lyra’s skin with curious little nudges of its nose.
She hoped it wouldn’t bite p>
Lyra barely knew anything about this kind of creature.
Back in her original world, almost no one kept stoats as outdoor pets.
She glanced over toward Cedric, only to realize something was deeply off with him.
Cedric stood frozen, staring blankly at his own spirit animal perched on Lyra’s shoulder. His chest rose and fell in obvious, uneven breaths, pale rose–pink lips parted slightly, his watery pale eyes glazed over in a distant daze.
He looked like a puppet whose soul had suddenly been pulled clean out of his body.
From the angle Lyra couldn’t see, Cedric’s long, straight legs trembled faintly beneath him.
Confused, Lyra stepped closer and tapped the metal window frame with her knuckle.
Cedric jolted back to his senses.
But the look he turned on her left Lyra completely lost.
Thin pink blush crept out along the corners of his eyes, paired with those glistening soft irises–an achingly tender look like he had something unspoken burning on his tongue.
Noticing something, she glanced upward.
The white–and–pink stoat ears sprouting from the top of Cedric’s head had flushed bright scarlet, the fine pale fur doing nothing to hide the vivid color.
Lyra thought he might be feeling unwell, then her expression softened when she saw what the stoat was doing.
3/4
10:45 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 12 The Stoat That Claimed Her Shoulder
Snow was rubbing its head gently against Lyra’s cheek.
She tilted her head slowly toward the tiny creature.
Watching its quiet, gentle behavior, she cautiously lifted a hand to pet it.
Finished
Snow didn’t pull away at all; it wrapped both tiny front paws around her wrist and pressed itself into her palm, begging for more touches.
It was unbelievably sweet and tame!
Lyra’s eyes lit up with delight.
“…Snow p>
Just as she was about to stroke the stoat she’d never encountered in real life before, she heard Cedric’s
restrained, strained call.
His breathing was unsteady, and if she listened closely, his voice trembled ever so slightly.
Though the words carried a sharp warning, the tone wrapped around Lyra’s ears like soft, playful chiding.
His clear, melodic voice sent a faint tickling warmth spreading through her ears.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.