“I'm sorry, Bastien. I know it means a lot to you, but I can't... I can't say I belong to someone. I just... I can’t.”

“It’s okay, really,” Bastien said, kissing her gently, though his eyes revealed a quiet sorrow. “I’ll go check on some paperwork before we leave.”

“Okay…” Kate watched him go. His mood had clearly changed. She hugged the puppy close.

“Oh Shadow, why am I like this? It’s just two words… but I can’t say them.”

The little pup licked her cheek. “You understand me, don’t you?”

Basti