1
Brando
The late January wind whips through my mop of hair as I lug another bag of feed into the truck bed. After climbing in to double-check I have the correct order for American Jackal Farms, I hop down onto the dusty ground and close the storage unit door.
Sliding into the cab of the truck, I'm grateful that I turned on the heat before packing up the Mendoza family's order. I sit there for a moment, letting the dry, hot air warm my skin. Who knew that moving to California last year would mean I would still experience chills like this as a dragon shifter?
Growing up as a dragon shifter in Los Angeles, I rarely felt chilled like this. But after living in Florida for most of my adult life, I guess I got used to the humidity in the air. I've been back in California just over a year, and I'm still surprised at how a dry, chilly day can get under my skin.
When I buckle up, I catch a flash of color and turn to see my boss, Joss Gallagher, stepping out of Corvid Valley Feed & Supply with her smarmy fiancé, Bart, in tow. Before I'msubjected to their goodbye kiss, I flip the visor and head down the driveway to make my way to American Jackal Farms.
While the Mendoza ranch hands empty my truck, I wait for Miguel to sign off on the order. Right then, a school bus pulls up in front of the farm, and I turn to see Tessa Perkins Mendoza popping out with a fellow teenager in tow.
The teen calls over as the pair walk toward us. "Brando, this is my friend, Karen," she says, giving her buddy a silly look.
"Nice to meet you," I say, taking the tablet back from Miguel, who's studying Tessa and her friend with a curious smile.
"Well,askhim," she says to Karen, elbowing her.
"Mister Brando, sir, I heard you're a dragon shifter," her friend says as her cheeks turn bright pink.
"I am," I say, wondering what I'm about to get myself into.
Tessa turns to her friend and snorts.
"Fine. I'll ask him. Can you shift for her, please? She's never seen a dragon shifter before," she asks, looking at me with her enormous eyes.
I glance over at Miguel.
He shrugs with a laugh.
"I'm only a coyote shifter, man. That ain't that special around here on this farm. Go for it."
Tossing the tablet into the truck, I walk back several steps before shifting into my dragon-form. Rising from the dusty ground, I flap my wings above the two teenage girls, who are squealing with delight. It's been a minute since I've shifted, so I take advantage and swoop around the farm, catching sight of Alondra Mendoza from the back porch of the farmhouse. She waves to me and yells out, "Hi, Brando!"
I land a couple of yards away from the teenagers and shift back into my human-form to their shrieks and applause.
"Alright, ladies. Time to get inside and eat a snack and do your homework," Miguel says.
"Thanks, Brando," Tessa calls from over her shoulder as she and Karen run into the farmhouse.
Laughing, Miguel gives me a slap on the back.
"Thanks for the delivery and the airshow. I'll see you later, man."
After work on Saturday, I kick the dust off my boots before stepping into the Cowpoke Saloon. I see my buddy, Amos, sitting at the bar and hop onto the stool beside him. Without a word, he slides a beer my way.
"Thanks, man," I say, fatigue settling in.
"Damn, you actually look tired," he teases.
"Hey, we dragon shifters can get tired."
"There's no way this is from the supply store job," Amos says, looking me up and down.
"Alright. Fine. I just had to be social with my boss's fiancé before leaving to come here, and I find talking to that dolt exhausting," I say with a snort, taking a sip of my beer.
Amos smirks at me with an all-knowing look in his eye. This is what I get for remaining friends with him since elementary school. The dude can read me like a book. I try to ignore his shit-eating grin, but fail.
