“Fine,” Taylor said with a huff.“I’ll take some time off work.Happy?”
Ben was.He slowly let go of Taylor, wondering if his mate was going to bolt, but he didn’t.He didn’t look happy, either, but he started walking again, and Ben stuck as close to him as he could.
He didn’t know where they were going, but he could take a guess.He knew he’d end up in pride territory, and it scared him a little, but he didn’t think they’d hurt him.He couldn’t be a hundred percent sure, but his mate was a pride member, so Ben had to believe that they were good people who were truly trying to help him and not people who would hurt him the first chance they got.He wouldn’t be able to fight back if that was the case.
They eventually stepped out of the woods in front of two vehicles parked in a small parking lot.Taylor didn’t hesitate to follow Tony to one of them, so Ben went with him.Climbing in was awkward considering his size, but Ben squeezed himself into the back seat, relieved when no one pointed out it would be easier for him if he shifted back.Jacob, Dennis, and Christopher had done so as soon as they’d reached the trucks, and Taylor had walked back in his human form, so Ben was the only furry one there.
But he couldn’t shift back, not yet.He was scared and didn’t trust these people yet.He hoped he would eventually, but there was no way for him to be sure, and he couldn’t risk it yet.
He was in Taylor’s personal space, but Taylor didn’t say anything about it.He even let Ben wrap a paw around his arm again and didn’t move until they reached pack territory.It didn’t take long, maybe ten minutes, but Ben was relieved when he left the car, and he suspected he wasn’t the only one from the way everyone who’d been in the vehicle with him looked.
“This is our home,” Gal explained once he stood next to Ben.“I’d like to talk to you, but I suspect that you’ll want more food and to rest before you’re ready to do so.Taylor, would it be an inconvenience to ask you to take our guest to your room for now?I doubt we’ll be able to separate them from you, and I don’t want to force them.”
Taylor’s expression softened when he looked at Ben.“That’s fine.We’ll stop by the kitchen to get some food, and maybe I can convince them to shift and take a shower.”
Ben wasn’t about to shift back, but he couldn’t tell Taylor.Taylor would find out soon enough.As desperate as Ben was for a shower, he needed food and sleep more, and he needed to feel safe, which he didn’t yet.
Ben was surprised when he was allowed inside with only Taylor accompanying him.No one tried to stop him, although some people did turn to look at him, which made sense since he was still in his panda form, and even though a pride lived here, the house wasn’t built for them in their animal form.
That meant Ben had to wait outside the kitchen until Taylor was done, and even though Taylor was quick, it left Ben feeling like his skin was crawling.He stuck as close to Taylor as possible, even on the stairs, then down a hallway.When Taylor opened one of the doors there, Ben peeked inside.He was met by his mate’s scent, so he didn’t hesitate to go in.He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, knowing that he was safe there.
For the first time in weeks, maybe months, he felt like he could breathe.
Chapter Two
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TAYLOR WAS FRUSTRATED.Anyone would be in his place, but he was starting to lose his patience, and that wasn’t something he could allow.
They still didn’t know anything about the panda shifter.It had been two days, and the panda refused to let go of Taylor except to allow one of them to go to the bathroom, and not even every time.They hadn’t shifted, so it had been impossible for them to shower, and they still stank of the forest, which meant that now Taylor’s room stank of the forest.
He understood.He could tell that the panda shifter was scared and that, for some reason, they trusted him.He wanted to help, but he’d already been off work for two days, and those were two days too many.He’d even had to cancel a date last night—not that he’d particularly cared about it, but still.He needed something to change, and he wasn’t sure how to make that happen.
“They’re cute.”
Taylor heard the words and scowled.Theyweren’tcute, dammit.Since the panda wasn’t letting go of him, they’d spent most of the past two days in Taylor’s bed.The panda was big, and sitting on a chair with them attached to Taylor’s leg was awkward to say the least.Besides, the poor thing probably hadn’t slept in a bed for a while, and Taylor had wanted to give them that.
He just wished he’d managed to convince them to shower first.
So they were on Taylor’s bed, with Taylor stretched out on his back and the panda curled up next to him.They were the only thing Taylor could smell, which wasn’t great.At least they shifted to use the bathroom—or Taylor thought they did.They always closed the bathroom door when they went, and they never stayed in there for more than a few minutes, as if they were afraid that Taylor would be gone if they weren’t fast.
And now Jacob and Tony were making fun of Taylor.Itwasn’tfunny, dammit.
“I know you’re there,” Taylor called out.“And I know you’re making fun of me.”There.Maybe they’d feel guilty enough to stop.
Tony walked into the room.Jacob was behind him, grinning like an idiot, either because his mate was there or because of Taylor’s position.“This isn’t funny,” Taylor complained.“I’d like to see you stuck under a panda.”
“I’m sure this isn’t easy for you,” Tony said, clearly trying to keep everyone calm.“I can’t imagine how frustrating it is not to be able to go to work.”
Jacob snorted.“Or get laid.”
Taylor scowled again.“Don’t remind me of that.I had a date that I had to cancel last night.”
“A date?Who’s your flavor of the week?”Jacob asked.
“None of your business.”He glared down at the panda.“I really need to take a shower.And you do, too.You stink.”
The panda narrowed their eyes at Taylor, then clung harder to him as if he’d been about to try and shake them off.Taylor had been tempted a few times, but he could tell it wouldn’t work.
