That Shifter Love

“Lucy, what I discovered, and later saw, will live with me until I die. I still have the occasional nightmare and have to lie to your father about why I can’t sleep for several days.”

“Good lord, Mom. What could have been so horrible?”

“He didn’t run a prostitution ring; he ran a child s*x trafficking ring.”

Lucy gasped, her hand over her heart at the horror those words inspired in her. “No. That’s terrible.”

“Lucy, you have no idea. We scouted out the place where he kept them. Children as young as five, boys and girls, held like animals. I knew what would happen to each and every one of them, and I saw red. Before the others could stop me, I shifted and attacked him while he was on his way home. He had a large knife; that’s how I got the scar and why I didn’t kill him.”

“Why were you punished? What happened to all the children?”

“Luckily, the human police received an anonymous tip and conducted a raid. They saved nearly fifty children, ages four to fourteen. Many of them were already damaged beyond repair; some had only just arrived. The Guard chose to banish me rather than execute me, and three days after I left, one of my friends called me and told me he’d been shot and killed while on the run from the police.”

Lucy was astonished by the information her mother had revealed to her. In a way, her mother was a hero, but then again, she’d attacked an unarmed man.

“So am I safe here, Mom? Will the Guard hold that stuff against me?”

“They know I’m your mother?”

“Yes.” Lucy didn’t tell her she’d told them her mother’s name while chatting with them.

“I doubt they’ll hold it against you, and you’re certainly not in any danger. But they will keep a closer eye on you. Be wary,” her mother warned her.

“I will be,” Lucy answered quietly, her thoughts on Nathan, her feelings for him, and how he might feel about her. “Listen, Mom, I need to call Kayla. We’re talking about finding a place together.”

“Oh, I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Maryann responded, her mood lifted by the news. “We love you. Keep us updated.”

“Will do. Love y’all too,” Lucy said before ending the call. She had some serious research to do and so many questions to answer. But first she needed to talk to Kayla about all that had happened as well as talk apartments.

She grabbed her phone again and called Kayla. “Hey, girl. What are you doing?”

“Hey. Not much. Are you on shift today?”

“I’m supposed to be, but I called in. I’ve had a rough morning,” Lucy said.

“I picked up your shift. Somebody’s going shopping this weekend!” Kayla exclaimed loudly enough that Lucy pulled the phone away from her ear. “So, what happened this morning?”

“Well, first of all, I was kidnapped.” Lucy enjoyed shocking her best friend. Her gasp through the phone and the garbled words she spewed elicited a laugh out of Lucy. “Yes, actually kidnapped.”

Lucy told Kayla what had happened to her that morning, including all the details, even about the Guard, which she assumed she probably wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about, but oh well.

“So that Nathan guy brought you home?” Kayla asked suspiciously.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“Kayla, you know I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Bullsh*t.”

Lucy guffawed at her friend calling her out. “You’re right! I so do! He was amazing! And since I called in, we’re going out tonight!”

“Fantastic! I’m happy for you, Lucy,” Kayla assured. “Think this might turn into something?”

“I hope so, because I sure do like him, and not just for his prowess in the bedroom,” Lucy boasted. Kayla laughed loudly, and Lucy waited for her to quiet. “So, hear anything about an apartment?”

“No. When are you off next? We should go look together.”

“Um, I work tomorrow and pretty much all weekend. Maybe we could go Monday morning?”

“That should work,” Kayla agreed.

“Hey, thanks for agreeing to move in together. I’m even more nervous now after this morning, although the Head guy assured me I was safe.”

“I don’t like the sound of all that,” Kayla said. “Sounds awfully suspicious.”

Lucy told her about her conversation with Chopper, but chose to leave out her conversation with her mother. That was private family business.

“That’s weird and creepy, but I remember Chopper. If he says it’s ok, it’s ok,” Kayla claimed.

Lucy murmured her assent. “Anyway, I have to go. Got to get ready for my big date!”

“I want full details tomorrow! I don’t really expect you’ll be able to call tonight,” Kayla teased.

“Shut up!” Lucy laughed as she disconnected the phone and walked into the bathroom for a shower. She wanted to look hot tonight; when she opened the door to welcome him, she wanted his mouth to hit the floor because he was so overwhelmed by her beauty.

She giggled as she reached into the shower and turned on the water. As she stepped under the water, she thought of all the outfits she could wear, indecisive about which would be the sexiest.