My Girlfriend, My Pet.

Chapter 20

Maggie made a turn and drove two blocks down before pulling up at an empty parking lot. "Alright, wanna' tell me what the hell is happening now?" She barely used that tone and whenever she did, she meant business. Right now was more than appropriate. 

Sakura began to grow, stretching in all directions until a mix of canine and human was what greeted Maggie when she looked in the rear view mirror. The last remnants of fur melted back into smooth skin with a slightly sickening crunch of her shoulders taking shape told Maggie that the transformation was over. 

"So I guess no 'Hey Iona, good to see you. Long time. How have you been?' Look, I don't want this as much as you do, okay? I was planning to let him know on my own, I never wanted you to get involved in this. How was I supposed to know that-

A T-shirt came flying in her direction before Iona could finish her sentence. 

"Get dressed, you lovestruck fool. Then get out so I can give you a hug." She killed the engine and stepped out, leaving Iona with her clothes inside. Smiling to herself, she quickly slipped everything on and opened the door. 

"You stupid girl! Come here!", Maggie yanked Iona into a hug and squeezed. Hard enough that it became difficult to inhale after a few seconds. 

"Maggie...I...can't breathe..." 

She let go. The both of them smiled and hugged again. Iona grinned until her cheeks hurt. "You don't know how much I've missed you, Maggie! I'm so sorry this happened."

"Save it. It's already happened. Look, as much as I want to sit down with you over some wine and catch up, Raiden is at our place and he's waiting for you."

The both of them knew that only two possibilities laid ahead. One was for Iona to walk out on Raiden's life for good, Maggie would probably have to help come up with an elaborate scheme to explain Sakura's disappearance. Option two involved Iona coming clean with everything. Again, Maggie would probably have to explain why she kept this from Raiden. 

"I'll handle it, Maggie. You've done more than enough for me. Whatever happens, I don't want you to be the one he blames."

Maggie nodded. Fair enough, she thought. Iona was going to have to do this on her own if she wants to keep Raiden in her life. "Hop in, I'll give you a lift back." 

"Great. Not much time but I want a quick rundown on what's happening between you and Mike. Tell me everything."

Maggie's blush was more than enough to let her know that their relationship was probably light years ahead of what Iona could hope for between Raiden and her right now. 

~~~

"Good luck. Remember, if he really loves you. He'll accept, or at least try to accept, everything about you.", Maggie said just as Iona was about the shut the door to her car. 

"I think it's gonna' be a little harder when the girl you love can change into animals, Maggie.", she said with a smile before closing the door and making her way to the front door of her house. When Raiden opened the door, he gave Maggie a nod before Iona and him entered. 

The moment the door clicked shut, Raiden scooped Iona into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips. You're doing good, Raiden. Just keep to the plan and see how she responds. Iona froze in place for a good five seconds before she melted into the kiss. Everything that she had wanted to say vapourised as her hands found their way into his hair, down his back, his chest and back up. 

When they finally unlocked themselves from each other, Iona took a step back to regain her composure. Raiden stood, unsure of what to do next. 

"Hi," he croaked.