Milo’s little jump of surprise was so adorable Kira could not stop the syrupy “aww” from dripping past her lips. Now sporting a dopey grin one might give to a particularly clumsy puppy, the ice princess laid her head on her paws and beamed affectionately down at the joyful bundle of energy she’d chosen to follow. Her sumptuously fluffy tail began to wag in time to Milo’s amicable banner, the bright energy between the two she-wolves blossoming by the second. Gods, but I love her. How has this precious thing not been snatched up already? Until the grey-and-ivory alphess gave Kirastasia an explicit resounding “NO,” the brindled brutale resolved to flirt and appreciate and gush until her heart burst.

She laughed in delighted surprise when her queen pounced up from the water to land a tail-length away, her dainty form dropping once more into a play-bow that showed off the wondrous slope of her spine. Giggling with enough bubbly energy to put champagne to shame, Kira allowed her voracious gaze to wander shamelessly up and down the gentle curve made by Milo’s swishing tail and her lowered back, committing each shining white hair and smooth hill of muscle to memory. “It would be a crime to leave you on your own, Miss Milo,” the fishnet punkette purred, lifting her rump to mirror the empress’s posture . . . though giving her own ample hips more of a sensual swing. The rest of what the charcoal-dusted damsel said only served to buoy Kirastasia’s sunny mood further; she barked in appreciation, throwing Milo a saucy wink. “I’m spoiled truly—more than a girl could ask for.”

The mention of a possible rank was all but useless to the dangerous dancer. She couldn’t be bothered to care whether Milo kept her at the bottom or pushed her to the top—either way, she’d have an excellent view of those pretty eyes and that yummy tail.

“Oh dear, Miss Milo, you better watch out . . . the falls are slippery!”

With a shriek of laughter Kirastasia bowled into the smaller lass, wrapping her forelegs protectively around Milo’s silky ruff and carrying them both into the pool of water waiting below.