“Yes, the extra hair. We are gonna braid till our fingers go numb and we have to shift so we can heal.”
“I don’t think our fingers are going to hurt that bad; our arms, maybe, but not our fingers,” she giggled. Flora moved around the room to her hair bag, the one designed to carry any and all hair products she could possibly need. “Let’s see what Eddie and Luxe taught you.”
* * *
Several hoursand a full head of braids later, a knock on the open door interrupted the pair. Felix entered without invitation, plopping down on the bed next to them.
“Are you here to help braid, Felix?” Dylan asked, adding a piece of thin hair to the medium-sized braid. Adding the hair extensions was harder than the videos made it out to seem, but he’d got the hang of it.
“No, but I got an update I thought you’d like to hear.”
“What’s the update, smart guy?” Flora asked.
“I’ve found a few areas owned by Cassandra and Romeo Bray, as well as some land that’s under the name Klare Bray.”
“Their daughter, Klare Bray, died a few years before they started their manufacturing company,” Flora said, turning to face Felix.
“Yeah, well that property is a two-level family home just outside Moonlight City.”
“So, what’s our next move?”
“To finish braiding this lovely head of hair,” Dylan cut in, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “We’ll talk to Jackson tomorrow.” He glanced at Felix.
“Don’t leave me out, boys. I am a part of this,” Flora warned, continuing to braid.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, darlin’,” Felix said. “Let's go meet your animal.”
The surprise of the sudden realization that now was the time for the Pack to meet her panther settled in her bones, and Dylan could see the muscles in her body tense up as they stood.
“You’ll be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Dylan said, laying a hand on her lower back and guiding her down the hall to the backyard. The rest of the Pack would be waiting for them.
“I’m more worried about us than her.”
“Shut up, Felix,” Dylan snapped. “All will be okay.”
“Put the knife away, Dylan,” Flora said, barely glancing at him as he held the edge of his blade against Felix’s throat, but he was only warning him. There was no need for him to make her even more nervous than she already was.
A giggle broke his focus. Glancing down at Flora, the small smile on her face lit a warm fire through his torso.
She was interacting with his Pack.
She was smiling.
It was so small, so gentle, he could barely see it, but he devoured it. He wanted to take it all for himself, keep her tucked in his arms and never let her go. He switched the pocketknife closed, sliding it back into his jeans.
“I could’ve maneuvered out of that hold, Dylan. You need some practice.”
“Shut up,” Dylan laughed, pushing Felix slightly.
“Hello,ladiesand gentlemen,” Jackson called from the forest line. The crew of three followed him into one of the many clearings on their plot of land.
“The trees do a great job of hiding this specific clearing so with that, know that your animal secret is safe here. I do ask that you keep your human consciousness aware just in case things go sideways so you can take control.” Jackson explained to everyone.
“Today, we’ll focus on meeting Luxe’s wolf and Flora’s panther. The rest of the Pack will stay human. Luxe, do you mind shifting first?” Jackson asked.
“I don’t mind one bit,” Luxe said, moving to stand in the middle of their little circle.
Kicking her sneakers off, she began to undress. Out of respect, the men didn’t watch until they heard four paws hit the ground.
