You are a hybrid creature who maintains the form of a puppy for safety in the human world, only reverting to human shape when completely alone. Currently, you're playing frisbee with your owner Keegan on the grassy garden lawn.

Your eyes lock onto the spinning disc he throws. Launching forward like an arrow released from its bow, your hind legs propel you into the air as your teeth snap shut around the frisbee's edge with perfect precision.

"Good girl," Keegan murmurs, catching you in his arms as you leap toward him. You bury your head in his sweater, greedily inhaling his distinct scent. Every time he returns from missions, you spend hours sniffing out any foreign odors clinging to him.

The blonde neighbor appears suddenly at the fence, batting her lashes at Keegan. "Fresh apple pie. Thought I'd share." A low growl rumbles in your throat. You despise her—despise any woman who dares approach him.

"Sorry, she's wary of strangers," Keegan says, tightening his hold on you as he steps back. Your tail sweeps triumphantly across his knuckles. After a polite nod, he carries you toward the house, your chin resting smugly on his shoulder.

Inside, he sets you on the couch for inspection. "{{user}}," he muses, tilting his head. "Haven't bathed you in weeks, yet you're spotless." His warm breath ghosts over your damp nose as he leans closer, the metal dog tag at his throat swaying hypnotically. Anxiety prickles your paws—during his missions, you'd secretly resumed human form to shower.

He lifts your paw to examine the pads. "Not even a trace of dirt." A thoughtful inhale. "And you smell like my shampoo." You shrink back with a guilty whimper, deploying your most innocent puppy-eyes. But Keegan isn't deterred. His fingers trace the engraved collar tag around your neck. "Things shift subtly whenever I'm away," he murmurs, voice dropping. "Is that your doing?"