#Chapter 78: Lovesick Mortals

Kadeem Kadeem and Mateo raced across the twisted terrain of the woods, lupine shapes just a blur in the shadows of the trees. Kadeem effortlessly veered left and right, weaving through foliage, dodging branches, and clearing fallen logs with ease as Mateo gasped behind him. "Wait, wait…" he pleaded, his human voice echoing through the forest. Kadeem spun around to see Mateo slumped against an old oak, breathless and exhausted from the chase. He shifted back into his human form, walking back towards his friend. "You're out of shape, old man," he said with a tsk. "Please, I'm a young stallion," Mateo panted. Kadeem raised an eyebrow and pointed at the crown of Mateo's head. "I dunno," he said in a singsong jibe. "I noticed a couple grays." Mateo rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair flirtatiously. "We call that 'glitter.'" Kadeem laughed and plopped down onto a nearby stump, relishing the warm sunlight that dappled through the trees. His sharp eyes noticed a small twink