“Your panther is truly magnificent!”
“Thank you, so how about those questions.”
First, where’s Jax and Raven?”
“They’re in your spare room. That’s where they’ve been all night. I left them in there while you rested and healed. I’m assuming you didn’t put them there?”
“Never, they roam freely through the condo. That douche nozzle must’ve locked them in there.”
“I can go let them out, hold on.” With that he slips back into his boxers and is down the hall before I can object.
I wonder how they’ll take all of this. Will I have to give them up now because I’m a shifter? Oh lord I hope not. Will my panther hurt them?
No, we can keep them. I’d never hurt them.
So how does this work? Will it hurt when I shift?
The first few times might, but the more we shift the more comfortable you’ll become doing it. Our mate’ll help us when you’re ready.
Oh I don’t know that I’m ready to shift yet, but soon. I need to finish wrapping my head around all of this. I came home from work a human and woke up a shifter. That’s a pretty big pill to swallow.
I’m patient. But we’ll get through it all together, you, me and our mate. He truly is gloriously magnificent in his animal form; I can't wait to run with him.
Run?
Oh yes, we’ll be able to go running with him through the woods in animal form.
Oh, how exciting.
Suddenly Jax comes running in and pounces on the bed, followed by Raven and Jude. Oh my poor babies being locked away in the room all night.
Scratching Jax’s ears, I whisper, “Hey, big guy, I’m so sorry you guys were locked away all night. Come here, Raven, let momma love you.” Raven crawls into my lap as Jax lays down next to me.
Jude sits back at the bottom of the bed, staring at me. “Do you want me to take him for a walk?”
“Oh, you’re too sweet. Thank you but no, he has a barn door in the laundry room so he can go in and out. Shit, I bet that's how that scumbag got in. Fuck, this is all my fault.”
“No. Stop right there. This is not your fault. But with him knowing how to get in I’d feel more comfortable if I stayed here with you or brought you guys to my place.”
“Nope, no way. I’m not leaving my home, because then he wins. But I’d feel safer if you’d stay until he’s off the streets. Should we call the police?”
“And say what? No, we’ll handle this one off the record. Taking care of people like him is sorta what I do. Let’s get dressed and head to my place so I can pack a bag. I’ll camp out on the couch so that I’m right there when he shows back up. And he’ll show back up. Psychopaths like him always return to the scene of their attack.”
“Can we stop for some coffee and food? I’m starving, it feels like I haven’t eaten in weeks.”
“Yes of course. You’re gonna need to up your food intake for sure now that you’re a shifter. It’ll help build your strength.”
Slowly getting up I again realize I’m half naked. “Um what happened to my clothes? Where are your clothes? Did he? Did we?”
“No, no, no. You were covered in blood, so I carried you into the shower to wash it all off before tucking you into bed. I laid here with you in case you woke up and freaked out. My clothes were soaked because I was fully clothed when I took you into the shower. So I slept in my boxers, but nothing happened in that aspect.”
“Oh thank God. I mean, not that I’m not attracted to you but if that were to happen, I’d at least want to remember it.” I smile.
“Dualy noted.” He smiles back as he slides on his pants and gets dressed. “I’ll leave you to get dressed. I’ve gotta text Ridge and Lux anyways to give them an update of the situation.” And with that he leaves the room.
With that, I get up and begin to get dressed. Well it looks like I’m going to get a crash course in the MC life as well as the shifter life. This is not how I saw my Sunday going.
32
Jude
Leaving Ray in her room to get dressed, I head down the hall to the living room, pulling out my phone. I quickly send a group message to my Prez and VP.
Me: Crisis somewhat averted.
Ridge: What do you mean by somewhat?
Me: Well, I had to change her last night in order to save her from bleeding out.
Lux: Please tell me you got the son of a bitch.
Me: No, Prez, she was my first priority, but now that she’s healed I’m gonna kill the motherfucker.
Lux: If you need anything from us, just say the word.
Ridge: And tell her she can take the next few days before starting at the club.
Me: I don’t think she’s gonna like that. But I’ll tell her. Thanks.
Lux: Is she the one?
Me: Yes, she’s my mate.
Lux: Then she’s family and we protect our own. The asshole will pay.
Me: Yes, at my hand.
With that I put my phone in my pocket and sit on the couch as I wait for her to finish getting ready. Lux is right, she’s not just my mate, she’s one of us now.
“So, what did you mean by you smelled my scent? What do I smell like?” she asks as she comes into the living room looking even more gorgeous than when I first saw her.
“Apple blossoms and wildflowers. It’s what I smelled before you walked through the door of Luscious Leopard. It’s how we as shifters can identify our mates. When you walked in, the scent got stronger and my panther immediately knew you were our mate.”
“Mates, scents, shifting. God,
