Page 17 of Violet

“Don’t skunk shifters have mates?” I frown.

Violet starts to shake her head, then quickly nods, while her pulse spikes. I haven’t a clue how to interpret any of it.

Of course I know that not all shifters have mates, but I’ve met skunk shifter mates before. Or maybe they were raccoons? It has been several decades, and with so many shifter species, it’s hard to keep track.

“I’m not your mate,” Violet denies.

“You are.” I tap my chest with one fuzzy skunk paw. “I can feel it right here.”

“But—” Violet starts to protest again. I interrupt.

“There’s magic that binds us.” I trace it from my chest to hers, stopping right before my large, furry hand touches her buttoned sweater. “I can see it: glowing, pulsing, pulling us together.”

Violet sucks in a breath and swallows audibly. Then she shakes her head in denial. Which is when it finally hits me—she really didn’t realize we were mates until now.

“Is that why you thought you were a furry?” I ask. “You were attracted to me, but you couldn’t feel the mating bond, so you thought it was the suit?”

“No.” Violet’s cheeks flush an adorable pink. “Okay, fine, yes.”

“What’s a furry?” Betty asks. “Is it a skunk thing?”

“No, it’s a human thing.” I can’t help grinning. “Furries are people who are into animals.”

“So they are attracted to shifters?” Betty asks.

I shake my head. “I mean animals who act human.”

“Aren’t those shifters?”

“Cash means people who dress in animal costumes,” Violet clarifies. “Like his suit.”

Her pulse spikes, and I wonder if maybe she really is into the suit. She is a skunk shifter, after all, and by some odd twist of fate, here I am dressed like a skunk. Guess I’ll have to buy the suit from the costume shop and wear it for her more often.

“So furries are attracted to costumes but not shifters?” Betty frowns.

“They might be into shifters, too, dear,” Violet tells her. “I read a book about them, but the details escape me.”

Her pulse spikes again, and I vow to go to the costume shop first thing tomorrow. I can buy a clean skunk suit and maybe a few other animals to try, just in case.

“I’ll just have to ask Liam when I get home,” Betty says, and even the thought of Betty talking to someone else about furries seems to make Violet’s heart rate spike.

I grin and pick up my giant skunk head. “So what do you say to lunch?”

Violet shakes her head vehemently.

“You should at least give him a chance,” Betty tells her. I decide then and there that the moment I’ve won over my mate, I’ll send Betty flowers.

“Please, Violet.” I place the skunk head on my head for good measure, hoping it will do the trick.

“I’m sorry, but no.” Violet shakes her head.

“Don’t you feel the mating bond?” Betty asks her. “The way you did with Bill before he passed?”

Violet’s eyes widen with obvious panic while my heart lurches at the thought of her with another man. What if I’d met her while he was still alive? Would she have accepted us both? Or sent me on my way?

“I think Violet’s going to need some time,” Betty says.

“Of course. I understand.” We just don’t have time. Not when Violet’s clock is ticking.