As though stung, Gold pulled his hand back, feeling less of the dog's fur or cold wet nose and more a tingle like his limb had fallen asleep. He shook it off in irritation. Though there was still some irritation, as though his privacy were being invaded, because something about all this was not the way it should have been (even though he had no idea how it was supposed to be exactly), something else penetrated, at least momentarily.

Did Belle send him?

...Did something happen to her?

"...Why."