AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At the center, Opal could see how impressed Benton was with the operation she had built. It helped her tiger perk up after she had been overpowered. It was a hit to the pride most shifters couldn’t take.
Inside the center were shifting rooms and places where the shifters could run around or play games in their animal form.
“There has to be twice as much food, too,” Opal explained to Benton as they walked down the halls. “Some for the animals and some for the human form.” Opal laughed. “Although you know, in any form, we are always strong eaters.”
Benton agreed and rubbed his hand through his hair. “This place is incredible.”
“Thank you. I’m really proud of it. We don’t allow any hierarchy, and shifters of all kinds get to mix and mingle with others they would have never mixed with otherwise.”
“This is an amazing idea. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere in the world.”
Opal put her arm around Benton and gave him a squeeze. “Want to meet some of my favorite people?”
“Absolutely.”
Opal introduced Benton to about twenty shifters. They were all in different stages of their life. Some she introduced to him while they were in shifter form. Benton could not hide how proud he felt about Opal and all she had accomplished. She could smell it all over him.
Many of the elders commented on Opal’s “beau” and how polite he was.
And by the end of the visit, even though they were both starving, Opal felt refreshed and reminded of why she did what she did.
“Want to get some takeout?” Benton asked as he nuzzled into her neck.
“Yes, that sounds glorious.”
SEVENTEEN
BENTON
“What are you hungry for?” Benton asked. He gave her a peripheral gaze.
She was paler than normal, and even though her eyes still sparkled with her particular fire, the light was a little dimmer. Benton assumed it was because she’d been through so much.
Benton released one hand from the steering wheel and reached over. Opal took his hand, and she squeezed it.
“I’m going to be okay,” she stated. “Everything that happened has just worn me out.”
“Well, maybe we should eat and then take you to get seen by a doctor.” Benton couldn’t believe the words he was saying. He did not see his doctor unless he was on the verge of losing a limb, but the suggestion sounded right for what Opal had been through.
“No, I’m okay.” Opal shook her head.
Worry kicked up inside Benton’s chest. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
“How do you know you didn’t suffer any internal bleeding? I didn’t even know about mates until a week ago. I’m not looking to get rid of you that quickly, nor do I want to be without you.”
Opal leaned her head against the headrest and sighed. “I love that you’re being protective right now. I promise we can go to the ER if I start feeling worse, okay?”
Benton nodded. “I guess. Does that mean you might want Chinese food for dinner?”
Opal laughed. The sound made Benton’s heart flutter. “That is fine,” she said.
“Great. I assume you have a number for an amazing Chinese restaurant?” Benton said. He saw that she already had her phone out and was scrolling through the numbers.
“I do, in fact, have one,” Opal called and placed an order for them to pick up.
When they got to Opal's home, Benton instructed her to sit on the couch. He placed the food bags on the coffee table before her and went to the kitchen.
He looked in cupboards and searched in drawers as he tracked down plates, utensils, and napkins.
