I remove my shoes, jeans, and boxers.When I’m finally naked, I look up to see Taylor staring at my body, her face tomato red, her mouth hanging open.
“Just watch,” I tell her gently.
Her eyes fly to meet mine.
Once I have her attention, I shift, letting my wolf push forward.My nails and teeth grow, elongating into sharp points.Fur covers every inch of my skin, and my bones shift and realign beneath my muscles.Within seconds, I’m fully shifted, landing on all fours in my kitchen.
I meet Taylor’s wide-eyed, stunned gaze, and it takes me a minute to realize she’s not breathing.I step forward, wanting to comfort her, which causes her to look even more terrified.
Fuck.Did I just royally screw this all up?
FOUR
Taylor
Holy crap.
That’s all I can think as I stare at the wolf.I’m not sure how to react to any of this.I mean, Reyes just became a wolf right in front of my eyes!
I thought he was crazy when he started talking about shifters and soulmates, but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I have to believe him.He’s telling the truth about being a wolf shifter.Could he also be telling the truth about us being soulmates?How does he know?
I let out a shaky exhale as Reyes shifts back to his human form.We’re silent as he dresses and returns to sit beside me.He seems nervous, studying my face for my reaction.The truth is, I have no idea what to think.
“There’s more,” Reyes says.
I bite my lip and wait.
“Shifters don’t date.We don’t need to.Every shifter has one person, their fated mate.Their soulmate.”
I nod for him to go on.
“Shifters only love their fated mates.They won’t ever love anyone but their mate.”He takes a deep breath.“And you’re my fated mate, Taylor.I knew it as soon as I scented you last night.”
Scented me?I lift a lock of my hair, wondering how bad I smell.
Reyes laughs.“No, you smell good.It’s your whole scent.My wolf and I knew you were ours as soon as we smelled you.Not your shampoo or body wash, but all of you.I’ll only ever love or want you, Taylor.Even if you reject me, even if you leave, there will never be another woman.Only you.”
I grab my phone and twist it between my fingers as I think about what to say.
“It’s also not quite like dating.I mean, the feelings aren’t—” He pauses.“Have you ever been in love?”
I unlock my phone and typeno.
“Good,” he mumbles.
I raise an eyebrow at him.
He ducks his head, looking guilty.“I mean, I’m glad that I could be your first.Shifters don’t just fall in love.It’s almost an obsession.Ever since I found you, all I can do is think about you.I need to know that you’re safe, healthy, and happy.I want to cook for you, feed you, shower you with love and affection.It’s a need for me.”
My heart beats harder as I think about what it would be like to be loved the way he’s describing.My life until this moment hasn’t been easy.I’ve worked to help pay rent and support Landry and me since I was twelve.Babysitting, pool cleaning, yard work, and when I was old enough, I also got a part-time job.
My mom was never reliable, never really cared about Landry or me.I had to step up, be there for my sister.Make sure she ate and did her homework.I was there when she was sick or scared.I don’t regret any of it, but I had to grow up much faster than everyone else my age.
What would my life have been like if I’d found Reyes sooner?
“So… yeah,” he says, breaking the silence.
Yep,I type.
