“In my shifted form. This is the perfect weather for a reindeer. Did you know we have an extra layer of fur that generates heat? And our hooves are protected by that same coating.”
“I’d love to see your reindeer,” Dale said.
I grimaced. “I have to shift first, though.”
“Right.”
“It means being naked.”
“I—I didn’t remember that part. You can do it privately, but then can I look?”
“He’s a shy one. He might run.”
“It’s okay, then.” Dale sat back against the couch and put his feet up on the coffee table.
“No, it’s fine. No human has ever asked me before.”
“Is shifting a private thing, then?”
“Pretty much. Unless you’re doing a group shift or a family shift. And even then, we have certain areas with changing tents.”
“Like cabanas at a pool?” Dale asked.
“I guess. I usually go to the woods alone.”
“Where do you keep your clothes?”
“I pick a rock or something I can easily identify, then pile my clothes in a bag behind it.”
“That’s smart.”
“Here, I’ll just leave them on the porch.” It was fairly private. The next cabin closest to us was down another path and obscured by thick pine trees.
Dale nodded.
I went to the door and opened it. “It will only take a minute for me to undress and shift. I’ll stand out front until you open the door.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t mean to be pushy.”
“I’m sure.”
I went outside, breathing in the sharp air. Quickly, I undressed. In my human form, I was already shivering. My reindeer form would counteract that shock in seconds. I shut my eyes and focused on the beast within.
It’s time. You’re free.
I opened my eyes to a blur of white. The sensation of shifting was like entering a warm bath, both relaxing and exhilarating.
Next I knew, I stood on four legs on the wooden porch. I leaped down the steps and onto the walkway, then shuffled into the snow.
I turned my head at the sound of the front door opening.
Dale came out. To my reindeer self, he was familiar, but human. Someone to be wary of.
Dale took a slow step forward. My reindeer braced himself.
“You’re beautiful, Aspen.”
My ears quirked forward. Even knee-high in snow, my body was already warm, but my inner body warmed even more at Dale’s compliment.
