Extra 1

"That one," he said triumphantly, pointing at the small, red ball of fur curled up on its bed.

I cringed internally as I looked at the hideous, hissing feline. What did Liam see in this creature? Everything in me wanted to turn around from this decision and never look back, but when I looked at Liam's loving expression, I knew he was hooked.

"This is the one you'd like to adopt, correct?" the clerk asked.

Liam turned to me with big, earnest eyes, and I admitted defeat. I sighed, and turning back to the clerk, I gave her my dreaded answer.

"...yes, this is the one." It physically pained my soul to say those words.

"That's great! There's still some final paperwork that needs to be worked out, and if you haven't already, I can help you pick out any equipment you might need. So, I'm going to need..."

I let her speak, all while nodding here and there. The only thing I could register in my mind was the idea of this furball invading my territory.

Liam, on the other hand, was absolutely glowing. "Yay! Thanks, Dyl, you're the best. Well, maybe second best behind the cat, but still amazing nonetheless."

Even though I knew he was joking, my eyes glowed at the idea of being surpassed by a cat.

"Well, if the cat's just going to replace me, then I'm just going to tell her we don't need it," I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Wait, don't! It was just a joke, Dyl. You're my number one. I promise!"

"Say it," I pouted. "Say that I'm the best."

Liam gave me a big grin. "Of course you're the best."

"That's darn right I am," I said, although I relaxed slightly.

"So, can my most favourite person in the world help me search for the right food for our new family member?"

"You mean our long-term visitor who doesn't pay rent," I corrected under my breath, but I reluctantly obliged for Liam's sake.

"The girl said that this brand is the best for cats," he said, lugging a bag nearly half his height off the shelf. "It's a mix of meat and fish."

I wrinkled my nose. "This smells terrible."

"Oh, come on! You always hunt animals and fish. It's basically the same thing. Just cat-ified. And in a bag."

"Still disgusting."

"This is coming from someone who ate a spider, so I wouldn't trust your judgement on what's classified as disgusting."

"It was one time!" I protested, but Liam shoved the bag into my hands and moved on to look at the cat toys.

"Hm, what about this squeaky mouse thing?" He picked up a stuffed mouse, and deciding it was an essential item, he shoved it into my hands. "Can you hold this for me?"

Before I could respond, Liam had rushed down the aisle. "Maybe we can get it this back, too! It has bells in it. Cats like bells, I think."

The toy found itself in my arms, and within a few moments, Mount Everest had materialized in my arms.

"I think we need a cart," I grunted, trying to balance the multitude of cat things.

"Hush, I'm trying to decide if the cat will like the blue or the green blanket."

I mentally face-palmed. "The cat will like anything you get it. Besides, don't those things just see shades?"

"They're really colourblind, but apparently they can distinguish between some colours," he said thoughtfully as he compared the two. "Heck, why not get both?"

The blankets were thrown onto the pile, and to my relief, the worker finally came to my aid with a shopping cart. I watched as Liam signed the papers with his dramatic, loopy signature, before the cat was handed to him in its own little compartment.

"I've been dreaming about this moment for forever!" Liam gushed, hugging the box tightly and smiling. I admit, my heart fluttered at the semi-endearing sight.

As we approached the checkout, I could only think of how relieved I was to finally be done with the ordeal. I really, really tried to be happy for Liam, but the task proved to be quite difficult.

I pushed the cart towards the register. It was heavy, even for me, and completely stacked with hundreds of dollars worth of cat belongings - food, toys, accessories, and more.

"Oh, and Dylan, I accidentally left my credit card at home. Can we use yours? Pretty please?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to continue looking at his pleading puppy dog eyes. I would've gladly spent hundreds on a vacation, a shopping spree, or a fancy restaurant for him - but for a cat?

Dylan, it's been less than 6 months, and he already has way too much power over you. You're the Alpha. Take control and say no. Be strong!

"How will you be paying today, sir?" the cashier asked me impatiently.

Against my better judgement, I found myself pulling the wallet out of my back pocket. "Credit."

-

"Welcome to La Casa Marshall!" Liam set the furry abomination down on the floor. "Your new home!"

The cat didn't budge, and instead, froze on the floor, taking a look at its surroundings.

"Aw, I think it's scared!" Liam panicked and picked it up immediately, running a hand through its fur in an attempt to calm the feline.

"Don't be afraid," he cooed softly. "I know Dylan's a big, old, narrow-minded meanie, but it's okay. He'll warm up to you someday. I'm sure you'll grow to become very good friends."

I blinked. "Hello? I'm standing right here."

"See? He just said hi to you. That's a start."

I could only shake my head. Liam truly had a scary amount of power over me.

"Well, we can set up the food bowl and litter box by the back window. And maybe we can put the bed in the little corner in our room?"

"It's not sleeping in our room."

"What? Can't it just sleep by the door, maybe?"

"No," I said firmly. "No feline will ever step foot into our room, and I'm not hearing any of it."

Liam sighed. "Okay, Fine. I guess we can leave the bed in the living room, by the back window. Can you watch the cat for a moment while I just put some of its items away?"

As Liam prepared the cat's living quarters, I sat awkwardly on the couch, eyeing its every move. I was worried the little thing would wreak havoc in my territory, or relieve itself in our newly-renovated home.

I narrowed my eyes at the cat, but it continued to stare straight back at me, disrespecting my Alpha authority. Eventually, it reached the point where I couldn't take it anymore, and had to take a stand for my dignity.

"Alright, cat," I told the animal sternly, scowling down at it. "You are living under my roof, which means you also have to live by my rules, you hear me?"

It licked its paw, but otherwise, didn't try anything suspicious.

"So rule number one, you have to listen to whatever I tel- I mean, we tell you. Secondly, no ruining our floors, because I just dropped thousands of dollars on remodelling, and we also got you a very nice litter box. So no funny business in the house! Thirdly, you must..."

Halfway through my little speech, the cat actually had the audacity to turn on its heels and walk away from me.

"Hey! You come back here!" I ordered.

It ignored me and trotted towards the kitchen hallway. The way it walked...it acted almost as if it owned the place.

"Oh no, you don't," I growled, baring my teeth at it and preparing to transform.

All of the sudden, Liam rounded the corner, sparing the cat from a possibly gruesome consequence.

"Hi again, little friend!" Liam said, scooping the cat up into his arms. The cat meowed contentedly and gave me a pointed look.

I told you so, it seemed to smirk. I gritted my teeth. The score was Human, 0, and Cat, 1 - but that would change someday.

"You know, I think I finally have a name for you," he said. "I want to call you Tabby."

"Tabby," I confirmed.

"Yeah. I mean, she reminds me of one of my first villagers from Animal Crossing. And they're both orange cats, so it works out."

I crinkled my nose. "I was never a fan of that villager, to be honest. I tried to kick her out, but she always thought I was trying to befriend her. But if you like that name, Tabby it is."

Liam nodded. "Welcome to the family, Tabby Marshall!"

I cringed hearing my last name next to Tabby's name, but instead, I forced a smile onto my face. "Yep. Welcome to our...family."