Chapter 2

The receptionist's face scrunched up."That really shouldn't happen.Hostile rejection from a bonded beastman is extremely rare."

I shrugged."Guess I'm just unlucky."

"No—Ivy,please."She stood up."If there was a breakdown in our training process,that's on us.That is not on you."

"This time,"I said,"I'm hoping you can match me with a dog type."

She gave me a soft smile."Come with me."

I followed her through frosted glass doors into the back.Long hallway.Clean lighting.It reminded me of the first time I came here—how nervous I was,how carefully I'd counted the money in my account three times before walking in.

In the new era,male beastmen had taken over most reproductive roles.When I bought Taylor,he cost five hundred thousand dollars.Every overtime shift.Every packed lunch.

The showroom was bright and sleek.Holographic profiles rotated on a massive screen—face after face.Leopards.Snow lynxes.All gorgeous.All trained.All way out of my price range now.

I watched them cycle through.

"Is there…anything else?"

"What type are you looking for?"

"Dog type.Golden retriever,maybe."I'd read online that golden retriever beastmen were naturally affectionate.

"I'm so sorry,Ivy.No canine models available right now."She paused."But given your situation,we can put you on priority.First in line."

"…Okay."

She walked me back toward the lobby.As we passed through the corridor,a thick registration handbook started slipping under her arm.Something fell from between the pages.

A photograph.Landed faceup on the tile.

I bent down before thinking.

Cold gray eyes.Sharp vertical pupils.Broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist.

And behind him—pointed ears.Silver-tipped.

A fox.

The receptionist noticed and sighed."He's actually the most obedient beastman we've ever trained."

I was still holding the photo.My thumb had landed right across his chest without me realizing.

"Then why isn't he assigned?"