"You got a dog?" Maya's surprised voice echoed through my phone. "Since when do you have time for a pet?"
I glanced over at Shadow, curled up in the corner of his bed. It had only been three days, but somehow, his wounds were healing way faster than I expected like, a lot faster.
"It's temporary," I said, though I wasn't quite sure if I believed it. "I found him hurt during the storm. I just couldn't leave him behind."
"A rescue case, huh? You never can avoid those," Maya chuckled. "I'll swing by with coffee and donuts. I want to meet this mysterious dog of yours!"
The word "mystery" made Shadow perk up his ears, and he turned to look at me. It was like he got the joke, his amber eyes sparkling with something that looked almost like amusement.
"See you soon!" I said to Maya before hanging up.
As I prepped the kitchen for Maya's visit, Shadow watched my every move. His gaze was so intense it sent tingles down my spine. It felt like he was memorizing every feature of my face—kind of sweet, not creepy at all.
"Maya's my best friend," I said while tidying up the living room. "She's going to adore you."
He tilted his head, and I swear he looked a bit doubtful.
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door. When I opened it, Maya's wild red hair was all over the place from the wind, and she was juggling a box of donuts and a coffee carrier.
"Where is he?" she asked, pushing past me into the house.
"Shadow, come meet Maya!" I called out.
He got up slowly, still favoring his injured paw, but much less than before. When Maya saw him, she froze.
"Ariana, holy sh*t. That's not a dog."
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"Look at him!" Maya said, her eyes glued to Shadow. "He's huge! And those eyes..."
Shadow sat there quietly, watching Maya with a patience that almost seemed regal. Still, there was a cautious look on his face, like he was trying to decide if he could trust her.
"He's probably part wolf," I said. "A lot of big dogs have wolf ancestry."
"Part wolf?" Maya's voice went up a notch. "Wolves don't act like that, Aria. They don't just sit there posing for a portrait."
I turned back to Shadow, who looked every bit the majestic creature I first thought he was, sitting tall and proud. Honestly, he did look like he was posing.
"He just has good manners," I muttered.
Maya stepped closer to Shadow, studying him. "Can I pet him?"
Before I could answer, Shadow glanced at me, almost seeking my permission. When I nodded, he lowered his head a bit towards her.
"Did he just... ask you if it was okay?" Maya's hand hovered mid-air, frozen.
"Don't be silly. He just wanted to make sure I was cool with you petting him."
Even as I said it, I knew how odd it sounded. Dogs usually don't ask for permission; they just let people touch them.
Maya gently stroked Shadow's head. I noticed the tension in his shoulders, but he was tolerating it. He didn't seem to be enjoying it, but he wasn't pulling away either.
"His fur is so soft," Maya whispered. "And warm... really warm."
"He might be running a slight fever. I've been keeping an eye on it."
"It's not fever-warm. I'm honestly at a loss for words," she said, pulling her hand back. "He seems to be using energy just by sitting there."
Shadow watched our conversation like he understood every single word, his eyes darting back and forth between us.
Maya took a step back and said, "Okay, that's definitely not normal. Dogs don't follow conversations like that."
"He's really smart."
"It's not just intelligence," Maya said, grabbing my arm. "I'm serious, Aria. There's something about him that feels... off."
Just then, Shadow let out a low noise that sounded almost like a growl. Maya jumped back.
"Did I offend you?" she asked him.
To my surprise, Shadow's expression softened, and he made a new sound that seemed almost regretful.
"Maya, you're treating him like a person."
"Because he's acting like one!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "You know I love animals, but this one is different. The way he moves, how he watches you, and how he seems to get everything we say..."
"You sound a bit paranoid."
"Am I?" Maya pointed at Shadow. "Watch this. Nod your head if you get what I'm saying, Shadow."
"Maya, that's ridiculous," I said, but Shadow nodded. Once. On purpose.
The room went quiet.
"That was just a coincidence," I rushed to say. "He just moved his head."
"Shadow," Maya urged, her voice a bit shaky, "can you try again if you understand us?"
He looked at me for a moment, then turned back to Maya and nodded slowly again.
Maya plopped down heavily on my couch. "Oh my God."
I felt a bit dizzy. I mean, dogs can be trained to nod, right? He probably picked up that trick somewhere.
"What's two plus two?" Maya suddenly asked Shadow.
Shadow tilted his head, looking confused.
"See?" I said, feeling a wave of relief. "He doesn't get math. He's just a really smart dog who learned a few things."
But Maya wasn't done. "How many people are in this room, Shadow?"
Shadow slowly looked around, glancing from me to Maya and back. Then he barked. Twice.
"That doesn't prove anything," I said, and even I could tell my tone was weak.
"How many people are in this room now, Shadow?" Maya called out, standing up and heading to the kitchen.
Shadow turned to me, then looked toward the kitchen. He barked once.
Maya came back into the living room, looking pale. "That dog only did some basic counting, Aria."
I stared at Shadow, who was watching me with those deep amber eyes. He looked almost... guilty. Like he knew he'd been caught doing something wrong.
"There's got to be an explanation," I muttered.
"There is," Maya replied quietly. "But you're probably not going to like it."
"What do you mean?"
Maya glanced between Shadow and me. "I mean, Aria, that's not just a dog. He's more than that, but I can't quite figure out what he is."
Shadow stood up and walked over to me, resting his head on my legs like he was trying to comfort me.
I felt that familiar tingle I'd had the night I found him, his warmth seeping through my jeans.
"He's my dog," I said firmly, reaching out to pat his head. "He belongs to me, whatever he is."
Maya shook her head. "You need to be careful, Aria. If he's not who he seems..."
I cut her off. "He saved himself from bleeding out on the side of the road." He needs me, and he's kind and protective. That's all I need to know.
But as I said it, I couldn't shake the thoughts of how Shadow had counted, nodded, and seemed to understand every word we said.
Maya was right about one thing: Shadow was definitely more than just a dog.
So what exactly was he?