Luxe’s wolf stood strong, shaking out its black fur and sticking out its tongue. She looked toward Jackson first. Holding his gaze before darting toward Flora. She curled her body around Flora’s legs. Laughing, Flora reached down, her fingers curling into Luxe’s fur.
“Hello, girly,” Flora said, squatting down and giving the wolf a couple of pets.
“When did you meet Luxe’s wolf?” River asked, standing in his usual graphic t-shirt and jeans. He watched Luxe’s wolf as she made her way to each person sniffing their legs and hands. This was how Shifter’s animals got to know each other. Scents were familiar, and once the animal knew your scent, they would be able to recognize friend from foe.
“It was a couple years ago and a complete accident,” Flora said.
“Getting ready for your turn?”
Flora shrugged and looked at Dylan. He smiled down at her and intertwined their fingers.
“Don't piss yourselves,” Dylan joked. “Her panther is pretty badass.”
That earned a few chuckles, but Dylan knew they were just as nervous as Flora was.
“Alright, Luxe you ready to shift back?”
The wolf in the middle of their circle shifted back. Luxe dressed and stood next to Jackson.
It was Flora’s turn.
Dylan gave her hand a squeeze before she let go and made her way to the middle of the Pack. She didn’t bother undressing all the way before shifting into her panther. Her deep brown eyes quickly met his. She stalked toward Dylan, who squatted down to meet her. She nuzzled her head into his hand and cuddled into his neck just like human Flora did.
“Let's go, girl,” Dylan said, standing beside her. They walked to each Pack member, repeating the same scent process Luxe did. Flora’s panther got a good sniff of each member as they each got to pet the top of her head.
Dylan knew she’d be perfectly fine. Panthers weren’t monsters; they behaved just like every other Shifter.
“You all lived,” Dylan said as Flora shifted back into her human form and dressed.
“This time,” Felix said, looking questionably at Dylan.
“Until you give her a reason to attack, she won’t bite.”
26
FLORA
Flora was back in Dylan’s room now that they’d kissed and made up. She felt a lot better and more like herself. She wasn’t sure where the hell her deep insecurities and depressed feelings rooted from, but she was glad they were pretty much gone. Now all she had to do was wait for Willow to come back.
“Panther!” Jackson appeared in the doorway. “Walk with me.”
Matching his stride, Flora followed him down the hall and out the back door. Walking the Pack grounds in silence, she waited patiently for Jackson to say his piece. Nerves built in the pit of her stomach. The open yard closed off as they reached the tree line. The trees got denser with each step they took.
“What do you know about Packs?” he finally asked, his height towering over hers. She paused, trying to think before answering.
“I know they are typically a group of the same kind, who fit together like puzzle pieces, with a bond that goes deeper than blood families,” she answered, tucking a long black braid behind her ear. “I also know there is a leader, an Alpha or Luna, who everyone is supposed to follow and take orders from.”
Crossing her arms, she looked anywhere but at Jackson. She wasn’t sure where this conversation was headed. Was he going to tell her to leave Dylan? That they couldn’t fit? That she could never be part of their puzzle board?
“Look, I respect you and your opinion, I do but —”
“But,” Jackson stopped right in front of her. “But we’re no normal Pack. Puzzle pieces can break, or have a wobbly fit, or go missing. Packs aren’t perfect and each one is different. Most Packs don’t fit the mold of a bossy, demanding Alpha with servant-like members. Take our family as an example. Each Enchanted Pack member is so different, yet we fit together so well. That's not always the case. Packs take time to build, heal, and grow.Andnot every Pack blindly follows an Alpha.”
“That's amazing, Jackson, really. It's special what you’ve created here.”
“It was all thanks to Dylan, he was an essential starting point to this Pack. We still catch heat for being a new Pack who’s broken rule after rule, but it was all worth it.”
“Rule breakers? I would’ve never guessed my good boy Dylan was part of a bad boys' club.”
