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I nod. “You smell different.”
She smiles genuinely and my worries fade away. She doesn’t look angry.
“That’s badass,” Kean says.
She definitely seems happy, but that doesn’t mean we need to rush anything. “I brought your truck,” I say.
“We can take it back,” Clive says. He’s one of my good friends from the congregation. He points to himself and another member of the group.
“Are you sure I can shift?” Bea asks.
“Give it a try,” I say.
We go to the river’s edge. Kean is the first to transform and, one by one, our group starts to leave. Bea makes it look easy, and after passing the keys to the truck to Clive, I join her in the water.
“This is amazing,” Bea says.
“I told you alligators were cool.”
“Yes, you did.”
We start our journey back to Texas.
“So, where are we heading? Is everyone at the shelter unharmed?”
“Yes.” I frown. It’s good that she cares about her friends, but I was hoping to get some alone time with her.
“Take me home.” She swims faster, but she’s no match for me. I’m in my element.
“You know, now you’re one of us, you have another option.” We’re side by side so I can watch her reaction. The kisses we’ve shared aren’t enough. I want more of them and her.
“What do you mean?”
“Come home with me.”
“Do you think your congregation will accept me?”
“They already have.”
“And you. What do you want from me?”
“Everything you’re willing to give.”
We smile at each other, and even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, I get a sense of belonging. She’s mine.
Epilogue
BEA
I step onto the spade with both feet, putting my weight into breaking down the soil. I’m so proud to be part of the new plantation in the forest around Falcon Lake. My baby tree will one day blossom into a friend to all creatures.
Once the hole is big enough, Knox passes me the perennial plant, and I welcome it to its new home. We work the soil around the base and give it some water. The people on each side of us are helping with the regrowth of the forest. After the hurricane destroyed so much of the woodland, it’s good to be giving back. Today, shifters and humans are working as one to bring new life, and I’m in my element. The tree I’ve planted is special because I grew it at the shifter’s center, where I spend a lot of my time.
“This is a bittersweet moment. I feel like my child has grown up and is leaving me to fend for itself in the world,” I say, holding my hand to my chest.
“I’m already one step ahead of you,” Knox says, holding up a packet of seeds.
I take them from his hand and kiss him on the lips. I’ve enjoyed nurturing the tree from seed, and I’ll happily start the process all over again. “You are the perfect mate.”
