Page 43 of Alistair

“There aren’t any elephants in the paddock, Maggie, because the elephants aren’t real.”

She frowned. “You mean they’re like animatronics or something?”

“No.” He shook his head. He couldnotscrew this up. “The elephants aren’t natural, wild elephants, they’re shifters. People who turn into elephants.”

Her frown deepened. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about shifters. I know it’s not a term you’re familiar with, but it’s what we call ourselves. I was born an elephant shifter and I was able to change forms when I was a teenager. The males in our memory—Cael, Indio, and Kelley—are not only my nephews but are also elephant shifters too. And there are more shifters than elephants. Novi is half-polar bear but she can’t change forms, and Rhapsody is a black panther.” He knew he was rambling, but he was aware that her whole demeanor was changing. She’d been open and curious and now she looked wary.

She leaned away a little. “You’re freaking me out. You need to knock it off.”

“I’m not trying to freak you out, Maggie. I’m telling you the truth. I can change into an elephant.”

She jerked her hand out of his grasp and folded her arms with a huff. “What the hell are you up to?”

“What?”

“Is this some kind of game? You get me to fall for you and now you’re trying to see how far you can push things and I’ll still believe you? This is so ridiculous! I can’t think of anything stupider than people turning into animals!” She threw up her hands and turned with an angry snort.

He put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. “Maggie, wait, please. I’m telling the truth.”

She spun and knocked his hand away, her eyes flashing. “Oh yeah? Well, go ahead, big talker. Show me that you’re an elephant. Because I think you’re full of shit and I want you to take me home. Now.”

He exhaled slowly and untucked his shirt.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“I’m doing what you asked. I’m going to turn into my elephant.”

Her nostrils flared as her upper lip curled in a defiant smirk. “Fine. I’m looking forward to it.”

He dropped the shirt on the grass and bent to untie his boots. “There’s just two things that I need you to know.”

“Besides this ridiculousness?”

He glanced at her, mildly amused by her defiance. He knew she was protecting herself because she felt uncomfortable, and he hated having to put her through it.

“Yes. First, you can’t tell anyone about this. Not your parents or your sister, or anyone else. The secret of our people has to remain with only our people. It’s too dangerous for us if it were to get out to the general public.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything, only nodded.

“And second, don’t panic. I’m trusting you with this secret, and once I shift, I won’t be human again for a few hours. If you panic, my people are going to keep you here and you won’t be allowed to leave. I need to know—all of us need to know—that you accept the truth of shifters and promise not to tell anyone.”

She gave him a condescending smile. “Fine.” Putting her hand over her heart, she said, “I promise not to tell anyone that you can turn into a big old elephant, okay? I’ll keep it locked up.” She mimed locking her lips and tossing a key over her shoulder.

He chuckled and shook his head. “You’re going to be tripping all over yourself apologizing in a minute, trust me.”

He called over his shoulder for the others to join them. He took off his boots and undid the button of his jeans.

“Cover the eyes of your impressionable females,” he said.

Rhapsody and Novi turned their backs.

“Damn it, I wish I had a soulmate, this sucks out loud,” Indio groused.

“You’ll find her when the time is right,” Alistair promised.

“I hope I’m younger than you, no offense.”

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