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The hypothetical debate kept us entertained all the way to the restaurant.
When we arrived, Travis texted that he and Jack were already seated, which was a relief because there was a huge line of people waiting outside. I didn’t understand why Travis always loved coming to places like this. I doubted we’d even be able to hear each other talk while we ate.
I opened Marley’s door for her, pulling her against my side and kissing the top of her head. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” she said. “I should have eaten something after we left the warehouse. I hope I don’t get grouchy.”
“Definitely don’t want to deal with a hangry little woman,” I said. “We’ll get you some kind of appetizer. Sound good?”
“Yes. I demand mozzarella sticks.”
“A woman of good taste.”
“Only the best.”
We walked into the restaurant and wandered around until we saw where Jack and Travis were sitting, nursing pints of foamy beer. They grinned at us as we slid into the booth.
“Look who finally showed!” Travis cheered over the loud music.
“We hit major traffic on the way here,” I said. “I’m honestly not sure how you guys made it so much earlier than us.”
“We were already out this way,” Jack said. “Filming at a couple places nearby. Getting some B-roll.”
“Ah,” I said. “You said you had some news. Are you sure this is where you want to give it to us? It’s loud as fuck in here.”
“Yeah,” Travis said. “It’s pretty simple news, to be honest. Just that I’ve done all the talking I wanted to do, and I’ve finally made the decision. When we get back to New Middle Bluff, I’m going to start the process of becoming a shifter. I already called the clinics and got the wheels moving.”
“Really?” Marley asked. “What’s involved in the process?”
I looked at her and found her leaning into the conversation, clearly interested in learning more about the whole thing. I tried my best not to feel on edge. Part of me wished she wasn’t here to have this conversation with Travis. I didn’t want her humoring the idea of becoming a shifter. I didn’t want Travis to make the transition sound easy or painless. I didn’t want her to change.
I didn’t want to face the possibility of losing her.
At the same time, I knew these protective impulses and discomfort were my problems to deal with. I had no business telling her what she could or couldn’t do. Besides, even if she didn’t hear about it from Travis, she would hear about it from someone eventually. Or she’d just ask Travis when I wasn’t around.
So, I just bit my tongue as Travis started explaining it all.
“When I get back to New Middle Bluff, I have to complete four sessions with a therapist to discuss the transition and get documentation that I’ve discussed all of the consequences and changes that will take place when I start the treatment. Once I get the all-clear from the therapist, I’ll go to the shifter clinic and get a screening to make sure I don’t have any contraindications—”
“Any what?” Marley asked.
“Basically, they’re gonna do the world’s most thorough physical to make sure I don’t have any dormant genetic illnesses or any unknown health problems that can be complicated by the genetic therapy,” he said. “Once I have the all-clear for that, I’ll get to start the injections.”
“Wow,” Marley said. “That almost sounds like it’s easy.”
“All things considered, it is pretty easy. Especially compared to other life-changing medical procedures,” Travis said with a shrug.
“And you’re going to film the whole process?” I asked.
Travis nodded. “That’s the plan. Get a real, raw account of exactly what does and doesn’t happen when someone elects to become a shifter.”
I leaned back in the booth, putting my arm up on the back of it behind Marley. “How does the therapy work? How many injections?”
“Four of them, with two weeks between each for acclimation,” Travis said. “After the third one, I should be able to partially shift. After the fourth one, I should be able to shift completely.”
“Wild,” I said. “It’s almost surreal to think about being able to go on a run with you in lupine form.”
“Yeah, fucking tell me about it, bro.”
