Page 34 of Hot Girls Date Shifters

I deserve it.

By sunrise, I've worn a path through the backyard—Mrs. Henderson's I believe.

If she notices the suspiciously Bear-shaped trail in her grass later, I suppose I'll owe her an apology.

Or flowers.

Definitely flowers.

Can you apologize to humans for messing up their landscaping because of overactive mating instincts?

I guess I'll find out.

As the first rays of sunlight creep over Barvale, I duck deeper into the woods and shift.

Being naked in the forest at six in the morning isn't exactly how I pictured my Tuesday starting.

I pull on the emergency clothes I stashed days ago, hidden inside a waterproof bag beneath a fallen log in these same woods.

It's one of my favorite places to Shift and just... exist.

No expectations.

No fans.

No cameras.

Just me and my Bear.

Every Shifter in the Barvale Clan learns this trick before adulthood.

Always keep a change of clothes where you Shift.

Unless you enjoy walking home naked.

I don't.

Jeans.

T-shirt.

Sneakers.

The familiar routine settles my nerves—a little bit, anyway.

Once I'm dressed, I rake both hands through my unruly red hair, trying to tame it into something resembling civilized.

Nope.

Still looks like I lost a fight with a tornado.

“Christ.”

I close my eyes and groan.

I bit her.

My mate.