Page 95 of Not Your Ordinary Shifter

I shrugged my shoulders. “It may still come.”

We followed behind the pair, but Dad took off with Mary without saying another word to us.

“That was strange,” Beck said as we watched them drive away. “Better hurry it up before we give him another reason to be pissed off.”

I led the way to the garage that housed our ATVs, then waited by the door. We concealed it behind a large stand of trees, as we didn’t want people to know anything about our island. None of our structures were easily visible to the outside world.

Kato jumped in the driver’s seat of a four-seater side-by-side. “Come sit up here with me, Nova.”

Once Kato had driven through the door, I locked up, then tossed the girl’s bags in the box and got in the back seat with Beck.

“This place is gorgeous,” Nova said. “There’re so many gorgeous trees. It looks like they’ve been here forever. I can’t wait to go exploring.”

“I’d be happy to take you on a tour,” Beck spoke up. “And introduce you to our shoal.”

Nova turned around and smiled at him. “I’d love that. But what’s a shoal?”

“A number of fish that swim together is the human definition. To us aquatic shifters, it means our family,” Beck replied.

“The population of the island is made up of aquatic shifters and their mates.” Will explained. “That’s why we shouldn’t have brought you here. Our shoal owns the island and outsiders are not usually allowed.”

An entire island of shifters? Fear held me immobile for a moment. “Are Mary and I in danger?” I blurted out once I had the use of my voice back.

Kato jumped in. “No. No. Nothing like that. We might get a long ass lecture from Dad, but we’re used to it. Nobody here would harm you.”

“But some of the shifters that live here are extremely shy, so don’t be offended if they ignore you,” Beck added.

Will tapped the back of my seat. “And some don’t like humans. Some of us weren’t lucky enough to be raised in a shoal and are naturally wary of your kind.”

I glanced around with appreciation of my surroundings. Behind us, the beautiful crystal-clear water in the cove. All around us, towering trees and brightly coloured flowers.

“But I didn’t see any houses from the water,” I said. “Do you live in the water?”

The men chuckled. “No,” Kato said. “But our homes are mostly hidden from view from the ocean. We have security in place around the island, so you will be perfectly safe from outsiders.”

We crested the top of the hill we’d been climbing, and I let out an excited squeak when I saw what was in front of us. Down at the bottom of the valley I could see log cabins, a lake and a pasture full of cattle.

“It’s amazing,” I whispered to myself. “I still don’t understand how you remain hidden.”

“It’s not really hidden. The government knows we’re here. We pay taxes and have several profitable businesses run from here,” Kato explained. “We are self-sufficient though, and a lot of the shoal chooses to work here instead of in the human world,” Will said.

“Everyone helps to keep the island running smoothly. We have farmers, butchers, gardeners, bakers, electricians…you name it, we probably have someone here that can do the work.”

My gaze jerked away from the wonderful landscape to watch the men. “Are you some weird cult or commune?”

More laughter. “No. God no,” Kato said.

“So, you aren’t going to make me wear a weird robe and eat tofu or dance naked under a full moon?”

“Well, I have a bathrobe you could use.” Beck wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “In case you get cold when you get out of my bed to use the washroom.”

“Cut it out.” Will smacked Beck. “You can wear and eat whatever you like, Nova.”

Kato placed his hand on my knee. “You’ll see our cabin soon. It’s on the left.”

Why was it that every time one of these men touched me, sparks seemed to fly? I couldn’t possibly be attracted to all three of them. What the heck was going on with me? I found myself staring dreamily at Kato instead of the marvellous view. Shaking my head, I ripped my gaze away.

So, not everyone lives in the same area?”

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