After saying goodbye to Fallon and Avi, Sera waited in the employee cafeteria until Sunny and Seneca came back from walking them to the parking lot.
“Still feeling restless?”Sunny asked as she came to stand next to her and offered her some of the colorful candy popcorn she’d picked up while taking Fallon and Avi to the gift shop for treats to take back to the farm.
Fallon took a few pieces.“Yeah.”
“How about we shift in the paddock tonight after the park is closed?We can talk to Marcus and get clearance from him.I’d love to practice shifting.I haven’t done it that much and it’s still kind of a weird and scary feeling.”
“I’d love to.Maybe that’s what’s going on with me.”
“We can definitely do that,” Seneca said.“The sleuth will join in—we’re always looking for a reason to shift and hang out, even with the VIP tours every weekend.I’ll check with my dad.”
“Thanks, babe,” Sunny said.“Do you think that might be what’s making you feel restless?”
“Maybe.Or maybe because I’ve been underground since I got here.”Sera gestured to the park outside the window.“This is the most sunlight I’ve seen since I got here.”
“Oh geez, I’m sorry,” Sunny said.“I didn’t mean to make you feel like a prisoner.”
“I absolutely don’t, I promise, I just feel kind of antsy and I don’t know what it is.Maybe it’s not seeing sunlight.Or not shifting in a long while.Maybe I was just missing Fallon.Or even though the prowl had crappy alphas, it was still my home, still where I grew up.I miss the house and the woods.”She shook her head, hating how she was feeling sorry for herself but not really having a reason to.It wasn’t like she was in danger right this moment.
Sunny gave her a one-armed hug.“We’ll go out to shift tonight when the park is closed.Hell, there are tents and inflatable mattresses.We could camp out in the paddock, too.”
“Sure, honey,” Sera said.“I’d love to.”
Sunny animatedly talked about camping in the paddock as they made their way down to the lower level.When they reached the bears’ private living area, Sera said, “I’m going to walk to the market.I could use some clothes and maybe Anke has some things that I could wear for camping.I’m sure it will be chilly once the sun sets.”
“Sure thing.See ya.”
Sera stared down the long hallway, thinking about what lay ahead.Past the doors that led to the private living areas for the other shifter groups was a big space called the market, which contained the general store run by the wolf couple Anke and Zeger, who’d been so kind to her.Plus a nail salon, a beauty supply shop, park offices, and a cafeteria.
Her cat let out a low growling purr in her head, urging her forward.
She looked at the bears’ door and then back down the hall.
Suddenly she was nervous, but she had no idea why.
Her cat was practically head butting her from the inside.
Walking forward, she put her hand on her heart as warmth filled her, and a deep, vibrating purr made her chest rumble.
Just as she passed one of the private living areas, the door swung open so fast she felt the breeze as it nearly hit her.She spun with a gasp, nearly colliding with the big male who strode out.
She sucked in a sharp breath as their gazes clashed.
Brown eyes.Short, dark hair.
Freaking broad shoulders and stacks of muscles that made his shirt look like it was one flex away from shredding entirely.
She swayed on her feet, and he grabbed her, steadying her with his large, warm hands.
“Shit, I’m sorry.I almost took you out with the door.”
“I shouldn’t have been walking so close to it,” she offered.
Their gazes were locked on each other.
Sera was pretty sure the world could have ended, and she wouldn’t have stopped staring into the dark brown eyes of the male before her.
Silence settled over them for a moment.
