Nat took a deep breath as she opened the door to yet another demi-human pet store. She crossed her arms over her chest and slowly made her way to the back. Her eyes wandered over each of the cages, hoping to appease Amanda.

Patience, Nat. Amanda gets to be over-excited, right? Or don’t we run out of stores to drag me into.

“Come on, Nat! This is the third demi-human store today. One of them has to catch your eye!” Nat’s best friend, Amanda, smiled and pulled her further back. She abruptly stopped and clasped her hands together. “Look at this one! Aren’t they cute?” Amanda crouched down and stuck her finger through the bars.

Nat shook her head, her lips tugging into a faint, amused smile despite herself. “I don’t think that one’s for me,” she said, her voice soft but firm. She shrugged, hugging her arms tighter as if to hold her resolve together. Her eyes continued to wander, though her mind buzzed with second thoughts.

I still think it would be easier to just get a regular pet instead of a demi-human. No paperwork, no regulations, no definitely less guilt if I can’t manage it.

She suppressed another sigh as Amanda straightened up and gave her a pointed stare that screamed keep looking! Nat’s feet carried her reluctantly further down the aisles. Amanda had been after her for about a month to adopt a demi-human, claiming it would do wonders for her mental health. And now, here she was—doing exactly that, against her better judgment.

Nat grumbled as she reached the very last cage on the wall. Her eyes went wide, and her arms dropped down to her sides. She took a step closer to the cage, gripping the thin fingers on the bars. Her mouth fell slightly open as she looked at the demi-human on the other side, her heart skipping a beat.

Not their ears, not their expression… Everything about them is perfect.

Amanda sidled up beside Nat. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you found your match,” she teased, nudging Nat’s shoulder a light squeeze. “I knew you could do it.” She leaned forward to get a better look. “And they’re cute to boot! C’mon, let’s get the paperwork started before someone else snatches them up.”

Nat barely registered Amanda’s words as she let herself be led toward the counter, glancing back at the cage. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her stomach fluttering as if to say this. This wasn’t just any random trip to a store—it was the start of something new.

A week had passed since their visit to the pet shop. In that time, Nat had pored over forum posts, companions’ files, trying to learn everything she could. She’d spent late nights browsing online forums, reading care guides, and ordering supplies. A new couch, soft leather collar, and even a plush, oversized pet bed now waited in a corner of her large home, waiting for the moment her demi-human would arrive.

She stood in the living room, chewing the inside of her cheek as she scanned her carefully arranged setup. The bed sat in the corner, complete with soft blankets and pillows. Everything looked perfect… almost too perfect.

What if they don’t like it here? What if they don’t like me?

Her phone buzzed. An excited jolt! Nat tore from her thoughts. She rushed over to the door and practically flung it open. The delivery man barely spared her a glance as he handed off the large box, leaving just as quickly as he appeared. Nat stared at it for a long moment before prying it open. She quickly backed away, giving the demi-human room to come out.

“Um… Hi there.” Nat took a step back, her hands fidgeting in her jeans. “I’m Nat. Your new owner. If you need anything, just ask.” She had spent so much time preparing for this moment, yet nothing had quite prepared her for the flutter of anticipation she felt now.

This is it. No turning back, now. I just hope I can be what they need.