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The alpha himself walked in with his usual half-shifted form, ears twitching and tail flicking back and forth behind him.

He came to a stop in front of me, an instant smile spread across his face, fangs poking out in his signature wolfy grin.

“Well, I don’t usually see myself from this view. It’s kind of interesting. I’m an impressive wolf.” His chest puffed out a little as he admired his own shifter form.

I tried to roll my eyes, but I doubted it was effective.

“What has you so nervous?” he questioned, not letting me get off that easily. Because, of course, these alphas could never let anything go.

My wolf form chuffed, and I padded away, trying to put distance between me and him.

“Hey,” he said, coming forward and reaching down.

He rested a hand on my neck and I froze on the spot, turning to look back at him. His eyes were imploring me to trust him.

I didn’t really know how. I had yet to trust any of them outside of Prue. It wasn’t their fault, I just didn’t trust easily. But if we were going to be a real pack I needed to give him a shot.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. His hand stroked my neck in a calming manner. A wolf equivalent of a reassuring pat on the back. In this form it felt soothing, not like I wanted to crawl out of my ever-changing skin at human contact. Prue had been the only one to really touch me.

I had to admit there were some merits to being a wolf.

Just as I was getting used to it, I was suddenly on two feet. Dorian’s hand lifted off before I could shudder against the touch as I stood up.

“There we go,” Dorian said as he stepped back. “As much as I liked being able to see myself in that form, you can’t talk. So, what’s going on?”

“I’m feeling a little behind,” I admitted.

“‘Behind?’” he asked, trying to decipher what I wasn’t telling him.

“It’s nothing,” I said, trying to brush it off, but he stopped me.

“Stop hiding from it. Just tell me.” It wasn’t a bark, but it was an order. I wasn’t an omega that was easy to influence, but at the same time, I found myself wanting to give in to him.

“I feel like I don’t have an easy time commanding our omega’s attention,” I admitted reluctantly.

“Merrick.” Dorian was not dismissing me, he was trying to reassure me.

“I know that we can be a lot sometimes,” he admitted, apologetic, “but don’t let that stop you from getting in there. If you’ve got a date idea, take her on it. If you just want some alone time, let us know. We’ll respect it. You’re just as much a part of this pack as we are.”

“I’m trying to remember that. But the first time I’m considering a date and this happens,” I gesture down at my body.

“At least you get to keep your clothes,” he noted drily. I huffed out a laugh and shook my head. But this alpha wasn’t done with me yet. “She would hate to know she’s the source of you erratically shapeshifting.”

I let out a breath. “My shapeshifting is my curse. It’ll never be her fault.”

“Perhaps not this time, but you are nervous about taking her out,” he reasoned.

“I’m just not very good at this. I don’t have experience.”

“Neither did I,” he admitted. “Most women don’t want a man with ears and a tail. But I took a chance and let her in and she surprised me. Last time I needed to shift, I took her on a midnight run. I let my defenses down. It’s hard, but gods, it’s worth it. She would never hurt you, Merrick. It’s okay to trust her.”

“I do trust her,” I said firmly.

He nodded, accepting that answer. “Alright. Then tell me, what is your idea? Where are you taking our girl to win her over?”

“That’s the problem. Where am I going to take her in town that she hasn’t already been? She’s been here for six years.”

“She has,” he confirmed. “So, get creative.”