“I said leave!” he shouts at me, and before I can stop myself, I’ve responded, stepping back from Vera only to watch her collapse to her hands and knees.
“Vera!”
A whining howl bursts from her lips, and she hunches forward, her sweater ripping at the seams as her body expands. It takes me a second to process what is happening because she’s never shifted before. But as I stare, her ears lengthen into red-and-white furry tips and her face into the pointed snout of a fox. Claws sprout from her fingertips and red fur shoots out all over her body. “I won’t follow your orders, Riley. You can’t make me. He’s my mate!”
She pushes him roughly, and all the anger drops from Riley’s face as he stares at his sister. “What the—?”
She looks down at her outstretched arms and blinks. She tries to talk, but it comes out as a growl. Her hands fly to her mouth in astonishment. “I can’t believe it!”
Riley stares between us for another long moment, then with a curse, he storms off down the corridor.
It’s probably for the best. Emotions are high. He needs a chance to cool down.
Vera jumps into my arms, and I catch her up, Riley forgotten for the moment. “That’s my girl.”
She’s laughing into my neck as I swirl her around. “I did it! Oh my god, my clothes are ruined. How do I change back?”
I laugh. “You’ll figure it out. Come on. Let’s go get you a change of clothes and give everyone some breathing space.”
“Ugh. I knew he’d get weird about it.”
“Can you blame him?”
“Uh, yeah. Because he’s acting like a dick. Your poor face.” she lifts a paw to stroke my cheek, and honestly I’d forgotten all about the punch.
“I’m fine.”
“Should we get you some ice?”
“No. Come on. Let’s go get some breakfast. I’ll get us a hotel, and we’ll get some clothes and take a shower. We’ll come back when everyone is feeling more rational.”
Vera slides down my body and tucks herself into my side where I can wrap my arm around her. Even in her half-shifted beast form she’s still short enough for me to kiss her right on the top of her head.
I lead her toward the exit, keeping my senses peeled for Riley to return, but there’s no sign of him. “Mate, huh? So you’ve accepted me?”
Her eyes are the same familiar green orbs filled with wonder when she looks up at me and her grin is one hundred percent cheekier with a mouth full of sharp teeth. “Well, you did say your offer stands. So now there’s no getting rid of me, even if I look like this for the rest of our lives.”
I boop the end of her long nose. “You would be adorable to me no matter what form you’re in.”
NINETEEN
Vera
The nearest hotel to the hospital is still serving buffet breakfast by the time Bas checks us in, and we wrap ourselves in the complimentary robes and pile our plates high. I’m a mess of different emotions—elation at shifting for the first time, nervous about Mom, mad at Riley. All of them somehow channeling themselves into my stomach and making me ravenous.
I’m on my third pile of scrambled eggs and bacon by the time I stop to look across the table at Bas, who has put away a respectable amount of food himself but is now watching me with a fond smile.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just you’re really cute when you eat. I’ve always thought that.”
I throw a mini croissant at his head and miss, which earns me a stern look from a couple at a nearby table, but I ignore them. “You have not.”
“I have.” He leans forward, bracing his elbows on the table. “I’ve always loved watching you eat.”
I shove the last bite of toast into my mouth and consider going back for another plate. “Are you telling me you’ve got some sort of weird-ass kink, Powell?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s just that you always look like you’re loving every bite. You eat with such relish. I guess I’ve always noticed.” He colors a little. “Aaaand now I feel like I do have some unexplored issues.”
