"You're sure?!" Malice said with excitement at the end of school as Jamie finished her report to Sarah and Malice.
Sarah found herself smiling at Malice's excitement when she felt Malice's tail hit Sarah in her side, indicating that Malice was waging her tail. That told Sarah that the uplifted husky was very happy. And Malice had good reason to be happy. Ever since Malice had gotten her second dose and then gave Sarah both of her own doses and making both of them sisters as far as both of them were concerned, Malice had truly wanted one thing, a mate to love. Especially when she saw how happy Abby and Samson were together, but most of the uplifted wolves she'd met either had mates of their own or weren't interested in Malice. The same ended up coming true with many of the other uplifted dogs who either ended up falling in love with their former owners or were the same gender as Malice. On some level, Sarah at times feared that her adopted sister would be jealous of her getting Travis as her mate. After all, when Travis came over tot he Wesley house for dinner and spent the night, Malice often had to hear Thomas and a pregnant Julia mate in their bed room while having to ignore Travis and Sarah on Sarah's bed. Sometimes, Malice would watch television until Sarah and Travis finished, while other times, Malice went out for a jog.
But now that Simon had been uplifted and had shared interests with Malice. That had presented Malice with an option, especially when it became clear he didn't mind her extremely forward personality with regard to certain things that many Animalians who had been born human didn't do. They shared interests and wanted to be police officers, which in a way made them the perfect match, but Simon had attracted attention from more than just Malice. Nearly every uplifted female dog had interest in Simon of some kind and raised the potential for rivalry. Sarah and Travis had offered some help in that regard and now Jamie had repaid Sarah's help in helping with the last rival that Malice had for Simon's affection.
"Yes," Jamie nodded with a smile, "Tiffany wanted Simon's attention for much the same reasons you do... to feel loved and wanted, but her thinking was based more on wanting to play the part of the... well.. the Alpha role, the way she did before the Animalia Virus outbreaks that changed all of us. But when most of the jocks that wanted to be Animalians became something other than wolves or dogs, her old clicks weren't quite there for her to take as a mate, so with Simon being the most desirable male around for us canines, she decided to latch onto him. She then couldn't really accept Simon's lack of commitment to her because it would represent the total loss of her chances for her old spots."
"It'll take some work if you're going to coach her to dating," Sarah commented.
"I'm not sure it'll really be that hard, as dogs and wolves have their social hierarchies that can mirror how humans have done things," Jamie answered, "The key will ultimately be to make sure she has a choice and that the uplifted dogs that don't go to school here DO take interest in her."
"Here's hoping," Sarah commented and held up one hand with her middle and pointer fingers crossed.
"In the meantime, Malice, Simon is out by the back racks," Jamie commented, "He's waiting for you."
Malice was off like a shot, snow crunching under her paws and a reminder from Sarah that their parents wanted invite Simon's mother and her present boyfriend to dinner before Malice got into more adult. Malice heard, but her heart was focused on Simon, who she found waiting where Jamie said he was waiting. He heard her coming and turned to face her as she arrived and leaped into his arms. He caught her and held her up with ease and noted Malice's wagging tail.
"So, I take it you heard the news," Simon commented with a small smile.
"I did," Malice replied, "that makes me happy."
"I can see that," Simon smiled and wagged his tail as well, "So, what would you like to do?"
"I can think of some things, but my mom and dad won't want me doing THAT until after you and your family come to dinner," Malice answered, "You know, typical parent stuff protecting their girls. They did it with Sarah and her mate, too."
"Well, I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind," Simon answered, "but I'd think there are some things we can do that won't be too troubling."
"Oh?" Malice asked with a smile and rubbed her nose to Simon's.
"We could go for a walk and simply enjoy each other's company," Simon nuzzled Malice back, "Or we can go back to my place and we'll see about talking my mom into dinner and calling her date joining the group."
"Shouldn't be too hard," Malice commented, "My mom and dad are very good cooks... and that goes even before I was uplifted."