Page 12 of Riding with the Shifter

ZARA

It’s been a week since Ryder revealed his true nature to me, and I’m still in shock. Every morning, I wake up expecting it all to have been a crazy dream - the motorcycle ride, our soul-deep connection, the impossible revelation. But every morning, it’s still real. Werewolves are real. And I’m… what, dating one?

I’m still insanely attracted to Ryder. And the more time I spend with him, the deeper I fall. He’s funny, smart, sexy as hell, with a heart as big our mountains. But…

He’s a fucking werewolf. An honest-to-God creature of myth and legend. And I’m just Zara, the slightly nerdy, a bit neurotic librarian who’s never been farther than two counties over.

How the hell am I supposed to fit into his world? What does it even mean to be a werewolf’s girlfriend? Do I need to start buying raw steaks in bulk and invest in a heavy-duty lint roller?

I try to joke about it, but the truth is… I’m scared. Scared of the unknown, scared of getting in over my head. Scared of losing myself in this wild, impossible thing between us.

I mean, I have a life. A job I love, friends I adore, a little house that’s all my own. I have plans, dreams and goals that don’t include howling at the moon or running through the woods on all fours.

Can I really have both? Can I keep my everyday life intact while also embracing this new, supernatural reality? Or will I have to choose?

And if I do… how can I possibly choose between the life I’ve built and the man who makes me feel more alive than I ever even thought was possible?

I’m mulling over my heavy thoughts, my mind a million miles away, when Ryder slides into the booth across from me. We’re at the diner again, grabbing lunch between my shifts at the library. It’s becoming a regular thing, these little midday dates. A chance to steal some time together.

“You’re thinking awfully hard for a Tuesday,” he teases, his blue eyes sparkling with warm affection. “What’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours?”

I startle, my cheeks flushing at being caught overthinking. “Oh, nothing. Just… librarian stuff. Book orders and catalogs…”

Ryder raises a skeptical eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Try again, sweetheart. I may not be able to read minds, but I can smell the anxiety rolling off you.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Okay, that’s both impressive and disturbing. Is super smell one of your werewolf superpowers?”

“Among other things.” He winks, but then he sobers, reaching across the table to take my hand. “Seriously, Zara. What’s wrong? I thought we agreed, no secrets.”

I sigh, my shoulders slumping as I meet his concerned gaze. “We did. And I’m trying, I swear. It’s just… a lot, you know? The werewolf thing. I feel like I’m in this whole new world, and I don’t know the rules or my place in it.”

Ryder’s thumb strokes over my knuckles, a soothing, grounding touch. “I get it. And I’m sorry if I’ve been pushing too hard or moving too fast. I know this is all new and it can be overwhelming.”

“It’s not your fault,” I assure him, lacing our fingers together. “You’ve been amazing, truly. So patient and understanding, even when I’m freaking out or asking a million stupid questions.”

“Hey, there’s no such thing as a stupid question,” he teases gently. “I want you to ask, Zara. I want you to understand this part of my life. It’s also your life now. But I also want you to know… being my woman doesn’t mean you have to change who you are.”

I blink at him, my heart doing a funny little flip. “It doesn’t?”

“No, baby. Not even a little bit.” He lifts our joined hands, pressing a kiss to my palm that makes me shiver. “I fell for you, exactly as you are. The sexy librarian, the sassy spitfire, the girly-girl who loves dresses and dancing. I don’t want you to lose yourself in this. I just want you to… make room for your wolf.”

Tears prick at the backs of my eyes, my throat closing with a swell of emotion. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not,” he admits, his smile warm. “But I promise, we’ll figure it out together. Take it one day at a time. As long as you’re with me, we can handle anything.”

My heart melts, and I find myself grinning at him like a complete fool. “Anything, huh?”

Ryder gives me one of his sexy looks.

I flush, heat and anticipation curling through me at the promise in his gaze. “Down, boy,” I manage, my voice embarrassingly breathy. “We’re in public.”

“For now,” he agrees, his eyes glinting with wicked intent. “But later? I plan to show you just how good it can be to play with the big bad wolf.”

Oh my. I squirm in my seat, my body coming alive under the heat of his gaze. Just like that, all my doubts and reservations seem to melt away, swept aside by the tide of desire and rightness that crashes through me whenever we’re together.

No, loving Ryder won’t be easy. There will be challenges and obstacles and a whole lot of learning curves. But it will be worth it. He’s worth it. And this wild, amazing, impossible thing between us? It’s worth everything.

“Bring it on, wolf-boy,” I whisper, my smile wide, free, and full of promise.

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