That Shifter Love

Lucy laughed loudly. “While there’s a bit of a lull, I’m going to grab a bite. Be back in five, then you can go.”

“Sounds good,” Kayla called as she headed off to answer a customer’s summons.

Lucy called out to Jeff, “Jeff! I’m taking five before the rush!”

Jeff waved a hand at her from the bar and yelled, “Hurry so Kayla can go! Don’t dawdle.”

“Yes sir,” she replied, although the way she said sir should have been clear that she didn’t mean ‘sir.’ She hurried to the restroom and took care of business, grabbed a bowl of gumbo, then out back for a breath of fresh air. She sat down on the stoop with the bowl in her hands and looked through her Facebook as she rested her feet and ate. So absorbed was she that she didn’t notice the stranger approach her until he was within five feet.

Lucy jerked up, nearly dropping her phone and the bowl of gumbo. She made a step towards the door when she recognized him, but he called to her. She slipped her phone in her pocket; the bowl of hot gumbo would go in his face if he tried anything.

“Lucy! Wait.” His voice was deep and low, without any kind of accent whatsoever. She stared at him as if he were an alien. “I need to talk to you.”

“How the hell do you know my name?”

“I heard your friend say it,” Nathan lied smoothly. He’d done his research; he knew everything about her: where she was from, how long she’d lived in the city, what classes she was taking, everything. But she didn’t need to know that right now.

Lucy snorted. “Listen, I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I can assure you I don’t want it.” She turned to leave, but he halted her steps with his next words.

“I saw you shift last night, Lucy.”

She turned back and stared at him. Her anger rose, defensive and nearly ugly. “You’ve been following me? What the hell do you want? I can tell you right now, I have no money to pay you off, so if that’s what you want, you’re out of luck.”

Nathan shook his head and her naivety. “Lucy, I’m a were as well. Cant’ you smell me?”

Lucy glared at him for his condescending tone. “Actually, all I can smell is this dumpster.”

He rolled his eyes at her and stepped closer, causing her to step back. He lifted a hand. “I just want to get closer to you so you can smell me. I have something important to discuss with you.”

Lucy looked back at the door to the café, debating. She could get away if she needed to, and Sammy would hear her if she screamed. The door didn’t close all the way, so the sound could travel through the crack. She put the bowl of gumbo on the stoop. She looked at Nathan again.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Nathan.”

“Nathan, huh?” she questioned. “Ok, Nathan, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and take a whiff. Do not lift your hands from your sides.”

“Agreed.”

She stepped closer to him, her eyes never leaving his face as if she was waiting for a sign of aggression. He looked back at her blandly, waiting patiently for her to sniff him. He admired her for her caution, especially after what had happened to her last night. But he knew she’d frozen earlier in the café because she’d recognized his smell, no matter how briefly she’d smelled it last night.

When she was close enough, she lifted her nose and drew in a deep breath. She smelled the animal scent mixed with human. She heard him smell her as well and looked up at him. Their eyes held for several seconds longer than was necessary before she broke it and stepped back. She knew the smell he emitted was a were smell, but she couldn’t distinguish which kind. Not a werewolf, she knew that.

“What are you?” she asked suspiciously.

Nathan stared at her for a moment, mesmerized by her smell and beauty so close. Earlier, he’d been staring at her not because he wanted to talk to her, but because she was so lovely she almost hurt his eyes.

“Hello? I asked you a question.” Lucy spoke loudly.

He realized he’d been staring at her. He shook himself and apologized. “Sorry. I’m a werecat. And you’re a werewolf. Opposites attract,” he joked. Lucy narrowed her eyes at him. “Not into humor. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What do you want to talk to me about? I have to get back to work before my boss notices.”

“You’re new to the city, relatively. You are probably unaware that weres are governed by certain rules. The Guard, a group of weres, is kind of the police of weres here and make sure we’re safe as well as playing it safe. They want to speak with you about what happened last night.”

“You mean when Austin attacked and nearly assaulted me and I shifted to defend myself?” Lucy asked. “That’s the whole story. Apparently you were there and reported me. Tell them what you saw.”

“Yes, I was there, and yes, I did report you. That’s my job,” Nathan replied slowly. “However, the Head likes to speak with all newcomers about the rules and such. It’s as much for your safety as for any other reason.”

Lucy considered his statement. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I saved myself from a pervert, and no one saw me but you. I understand the rules. I don’t need to see these people.”

“Lucy, it will be so much easier if you go on your own. They’ll come to you if you don’t go see them. That could be embarrassing.”

“Come to me? Like kidnap me?” Lucy gasped. “What kind of group is this? Sounds like a damn cult or something.”

Nathan sighed. He’d approached her in the wrong way. “It’s not a cult.”

“Listen, I mind my own business. I don’t bother anyone. I’ve shifted once in public since I’ve been here, so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal,” Lucy responded rationally. “Please explain to them that I understand and it won’t happen again. But I won’t go with you.”

“It’s perfectly safe,” Nathan told her.

“I’m sure it is, but I prefer to keep to myself. I don’t want to be a part of your group,” she explained. She turned to go back into the café. “I have to go back to work.”

“Wait.” He stepped up to her and grabbed her around the neck. Before she could protest, he pressed his mouth to hers, holding her close to him. She stiffened, but as his tongue snuck into her mouth, she felt herself responding to the kiss. She couldn’t stop herself. His smell was intoxicating this close, and rather than pull away, she melted into him.

He felt her surrender and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Her arms snaked around his neck, her finger twining in that beautiful blond hair.

The backdoor of the café opened and Kayla stepped out. Lucy jerked away from him, her hand going to her kiss-swollen lips.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Jeff told me to tell you to get your ass in here,” Kayla said, her eyebrows high, her eyes wide as she looked from Lucy to Nathan and back.

“I’m on my way,” Lucy said quietly. Kayla stepped back inside, but Lucy knew she’d be right by the door to catch her for details as soon as she walked in. Lucy returned her attention to Nathan. “I have to go. Tell your Guard people what I said. I promise I’ll be more careful.”

She walked in without a backwards glance.