A Shifting Love

Chapter 2: A Long Day

My visit with Dad didn't last long, thankfully. He had only wanted to remind me that it was my turn to bring a dessert to our weekly family dinner. I told him he could have just sent a text, but my dad was old-fashioned. In his mind, it was no inconvenience for me to meet with him face to face despite how busy my schedule was.

My day consisted of researching various healing herbs and experimenting in the lab before heading back to my apartment for a late lunch and a quick nap. The university bookstore was practically a ghost town after 5:00 PM, so I knew my shift would drag.

Stacy had last-minute plans and practically begged someone to work for her, so I volunteered. A little extra money never hurt anybody.

It was hard not to watch the clock when its ticking was the only thing keeping me from dozing off at the counter. Stacy probably texted with her boyfriend until it was time to close. I contemplated Facetiming Raven but quickly changed my mind at the thought of interrupting a rendezvous with Bryce.

I wish she would meet her mate soon. It was no secret Bryce had a wandering eye, checking out every female shifter who crossed his path. Raven had never seemed interested in him until this semester; I wondered what had changed.

The door chimed, and my older sister, Summer, sashayed in, carrying a plastic bag.

“Here. Mom heard you were working late and wanted me to bring you dinner." She handed me the bag.

“Hello to you too, big sister." I had two older sisters, whose names were Summer and Winter. We were all named after the season we were born in since my dad's parents had named him after the month he was born; he'd thought he'd continue the tradition.

I looked through the bag as Summer shriveled her nose up and looked around the store. Mom had cooked pot roast with carrots and roasted potatoes.

“I will never understand the choices you've made with your life, Autumn," she said. “We're shifter royalty, and you work in this germ-infested store and live in a tiny apartment like some peasant."

“Well, unlike you, Summer, I have no interest in doing everything with our parents hanging over my shoulder." She and Winter still lived at the family house, a mansion located on the hilltop of the village. “My life may not work for you, but it works for me."

“People talk-" she paused, listening for anyone passing by. “They talk about us, well you. There are rumors that you're dating a shifter beneath your status, and Mom and Dad threw you out for bringing shame on the family name.

I threw my head back and practically roared because I was laughing so hard. “This isn't a joke! You're an embarrassment, Autumn."

My laughter ceased. Summer had always been very direct with anyone, but it stung to hear her call me an embarrassment. “First of all," I said, wagging a finger in front of her. “Dad is the Alpha. Anyone we date or mate with will be considered “beneath" us. Second, I don't give a d*** what you or anyone else thinks of me. I'm working my a** off and enjoying my freedom."

Summer turned on her heel and exited, her rose gold ponytail swishing behind her.

***

No one else had stopped at the bookstore that night besides Sumner, so I closed ten minutes early and headed home. I shuddered, recalling the unpleasant talk I had with my sister. Family dinner was going to be a blast that week.

I yawned, trudging towards the woods I liked to take a shortcut through. My bed was calling my name, and I couldn't wait to answer it. Leaves crunched under my feet as I made my way down the path.

Twigs snapped in the space around me. I figured it was other shifters running around in the woods. I had thought about shifting and running home, but I never liked to shift for short periods.

Whenever I was in wolf form, that was my time to enjoy the other part of me. The twigs continued to snap around me, but they sounded even closer this time. There was a crash, and something sped by me. The chills I felt had nothing to do with the crisp autumn air. Something wasn't right.

I prepared to run but got knocked off my feet. I tried to get up, but two large busy paws slammed me down, pinning me against the ground. My attacker had eyes that were so red they were almost blinding and a black pelt that blended in with the shadows. I jerked my head back and forth to avoid its gaze and saw two more on each side.

They had me surrounded, and I couldn't even shift to save myself since the one on top of me had all of his weight on me. My attackers looked like shifters, but no one from my pack had the same features.

I opened my mouth to scream; even if it weren't loud, someone would hear. Suddenly, the one who had pinned me flew into a nearby tree. Another shadowy creature had shown up, snapping and snarling at the others. I noticed that my savior had neon-colored eyes. Who were these guys? My attackers retreated. I lay on the ground, trying to make sense of what happened.

“Are you okay?" The creature asked. It had a masculine voice and smelled of pine.

“Yes," I said, pulling myself to my feet. “Thank you."

He nodded his shadowy head. “No problem, but you shouldn't be walking through these woods, especially alone."

“This is shifter territory, so excuse me for not knowing that mysterious shadowy creatures are lurking around in the woods I walk through every day!"

His ears pricked up, alert and listening. “Please lower your voice. It's best if no one notices we're here, he pleaded.“I can walk with you to the exit if you'd like."

I frowned. There was no way I was leaving those woods without answers. “I'm not going anywhere until you tell me who or what you and those things that attacked me are."