Chapter 278: Frank the Hedgehog

Vivian’s POV

For a few tense moments, I stood completely still in the center of the aisle, holding Frank as gently and securely as I possibly could. Slowly and almost cautiously, the little creature began to uncurl from his defensive ball. His sharp spikes lowered down against his back, though not entirely flat. His little black nose twitched rapidly as he sniffed the air around me, inching tentatively across my palm like I was a potential threat and a tasty snack all at once.

My heart completely melted into a puddle right then and there.

I shifted my weight slightly and used my free hand to stroke a finger very carefully along his back. He tensed up instantly, spiking his quills back out for a second, but then... he relaxed. Not all the way, but just enough. He actually let me pet him. Total victory.

Carefully, I lifted my free index finger and tapped him lightly on the very tip of his tiny nose.

He bit me.

Zahliver’s outraged, protective noise from right behind me sounded like a clap of summer thunder.

I was pretty sure Zahliver was standing roughly five seconds away from having a full-blown panic-induced stroke. He loomed over my shoulder like some wildly anxious parent watching their toddler pet a live grenade. His jaw was locked tight, his piercing blue eyes locked fiercely onto Frank who, by the way, had just bitten my finger and was now casually sniffing it again like he had not just committed a serious crime against the pack Luna.

Completely unfazed by the minor attack, I brought Frank right up to eye level and wiggled the wounded finger free from his tiny, toothy mouth. He blinked slowly back at me, his nose twitching with what I could only describe as pure, unadulterated attitude. I smiled even wider.

"I already like you," I whispered softly, making sure my voice was quiet enough that only he could hear. "You have got real fire in your little heart."

When I finally turned around to look at Zahliver, he was still glaring daggers at Frank as if the tiny creature had personally insulted his entire bloodline. I stood my ground, refusing to back down.

"This is the one," I declared firmly. Zero hesitation.

Zahliver’s dark brow arched high up on his forehead. "Are you completely sure you do not want to look at the poodle instead? The fluffy white one over in the corner by the fish tanks? She is... very soft."

"She also shakes like a terrified leaf in a thunderstorm every single time we walk past her cage. No offense to her, but I am pretty sure she is deeply afraid of you. I am sticking with Frank."

He looked like he wanted to argue back, but then he just let out a heavy sigh of defeat and nodded toward Amy, accepting his unavoidable fate with all the quiet grace of a man totally surrendering to destiny. Amy smiled brightly and gently placed Frank back inside his secure transport enclosure, then walked us through a detailed checklist of hedgehog care instructions what to feed him, how to bathe him, how often to let him run around, and about a dozen other things I honestly never knew hedgehogs required to survive.

Even though I had made my final choice and chosen Frank, I could clearly tell that Zahliver was taking mental notes like he was preparing for a university final exam. I had a strong feeling he would be triple-checking every single detail of Frank’s daily routine behind my back. It was kind of sweet... okay, fine, it was actually really cute.

When Amy politely mentioned that the store had a massive aisle dedicated strictly to hedgehog toys and accessories, I did not even have to say a single word out loud. Zahliver just reached out, took my hand firmly in his, and led me over there, sighing softly under his breath as I immediately started excitedly grabbing items off the shelves like I was stocking up for a miniature royal fashion show.

I went a little bit nuts okay, fine, a lot of nuts.

There were tiny hats everywhere. I picked out a tall, formal gentleman’s top hat for Frank, a shiny medieval knight’s helmet, a mini Mexican sombrero, a festive Christmas elf hat, a silly clown wig, a tiny Dracula cape, and even full superhero gear featuring Batman ear headbands and a bright red-and-blue Superman cape. I had no idea what suddenly came over me, but the sheer mental image of Frank waddling across the living room floor wearing a tiny fabric bowtie made my heart burst with joy.

"He is going to look so ridiculously handsome in this," I murmured, turning the little black bowtie over in my fingers and smiling dreamily.

When I finally looked up from the shelf, Zahliver was already standing there staring down at me with that rare, deep softness in his eyes. The kind of look that made the rest of the noisy store completely fade out of existence. His expression held so much intense tenderness, as if he were seeing something beautiful in me that I did not even realize I was showing.

"You are blushing right now," he murmured softly, stepping just a fraction closer to me. The way the bright blue in his eyes lit up under the store lights, perfectly framed by the darkness of his hair and the sleek collar of his coat... it completely stole my breath away.

I barely even noticed when he gently cupped both of my cheeks in his warm hands and leaned down to press a tender kiss to my forehead.

He pulled me flush against him, and I slid my arms securely around his waist, slipping beneath the open layers of his heavy coat and pressing my body tight against his chest. The tiny hats, the shopping bags, the hedgehog all of it completely vanished in that quiet moment.

"God, I love you so much," he whispered straight into my hair, his deep voice thick with heavy emotion. "You are ridiculously adorable, you know that, right?"

I smiled brightly right into his chest. "Yes, because standing in a pet store ranting passionately about tiny hats for an angry hedgehog is definitely the absolute height of cool maturity."

He chuckled, the deep, rumbling sound vibrating pleasantly against my ear. I could easily tell he was laughing at a lot more than just my sarcastic comment he was laughing at how completely, hopelessly smitten he was with me. And maybe, just maybe, that realization scared him a little bit.

"You would honestly be surprised by how much you can learn about a person who gets this intensely excited over tiny hedgehog accessories," he murmured against my hair.

"Like what?" I asked, tilting my head back up to try and catch his gaze.

He flashed me that dangerous, charming smirk that always meant he was keeping a secret.

"It is a surprise for later," he teased.

I groaned in mock frustration, but I did not press him any further. I was quickly learning the rule that whenever Zahliver declared something was a surprise, it was usually going to be something utterly outrageous... and completely unforgettable.

Frank the hedgehog would be safely delivered to our house the very next day, along with all the expensive toys, special bathing supplies, gourmet food bags, and yes the entire collection of tiny hats. Including the miniature royal gold crown I had specifically chosen for his official pack introduction ceremony.

Honestly, I had no earthly idea if Zahliver was ultimately more annoyed or amused by my impulsive pet adoption. But I genuinely did not care either way.

Because I had Frank now. And I had Zahliver.

And somehow, miraculously, they were both entirely mine.