He stared, caught off guard. My heart softened.
“Who said you could leave, idiot?”
I bit my lip. “I want you to be my shifter. I’ll take
care of you…”
I waited, holding my breath. Nothing.
I looked up. He was grinning, his tail wagging like crazy. He nodded, speechless.
He looked so dumb. My heart pounded.
“But… are you sure? About my face…”
I touched the scar.
He pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek.
“Yup. No take–backs. Whoever takes it back is
a loser!”
I hugged him back.
Shaw and I were officially together.
He was still crazy busy, but he always drove me
to work, made me dinner, and surprised me
with flowers and gifts.
I was thrilled, but I couldn’t show it too much.
Otherwise, he’d get cocky and demand kisses
and cuddles.
On weekends, we’d hold hands, go to the
movies, and have dinner.
He was the most kind and attentive man I’ve
ever known.
He knew I had insomnia and made me go to the doctor. He brought me warm milk every night and held me until I fell asleep.
Г
He waited until I was asleep before going to his
own room.
I had nightmares, dreaming about the fire and
my mom yelling at me. He’d come to me right
away, kissing my sweaty forehead and
whispering, “It’s okay. I’m here. I’ll always be
here.”
He gave me the safety I’d never had. He was a
lost soul and the shifter who’d been dumped,
and he was healing me.
Shaw had been working even more lately. He
was so skinny.
I texted him: “Today’s a special day. Please
come home early.”
I put the pot roast on the table, looking at the feast. I snapped a photo, ready to send it when
I heard a knock.
<
“…Did he forget his keys again?” I muttered,
opening the door.
It was Chandler.
My smile froze. “Hi, Chandler…”
He looked at my face, swallowing, then
stepping inside.
“Sorry,” I said, blocking him. “Can we talk out
here? My guy gets jealous if I’m with other
shifters.”
I blamed my innocent Shaw, silently apologizing
to him in my heart. I wanted to set some
boundaries with my ex.
“You have a new shifter?” Chandler looked
shocked, even hurt.
“Yeah. His name’s Shaw. You met him.”
12:49
<
“But you have me!” Chandler grabbed my
shoulders.
…What?
83
“We ended our bond,” I said. I didn’t know why
he was so worked up. He should be happy.
“You’re so cold,” he said, a hint of resentment
in his voice.
“You said I could get another shifter if I wasn’t
happy. And you can go be with Maisie…”
Chandler looked stricken. “You heard me
talking to my friends?”
