Page 20 of Delivered to My Elves

“That’s an excellent question.” I walked along between them, enjoying the coolness of the day and the company. “Most people would never ask that. In fact, it’s both. Sometimes I feel like the smoothest part of nature, shifting back and forth between two perfect forms and blending in to the world but then other times, mostly when I’m around a lot of humans, I realize that my wolf might terrify them. All the fairy tales about bears eating children and everything. Or they might hunt me out of fear or even for my coat.”

“Not something we have to deal with,” Callon said, linking his hand with mine. “But bears are very rare in the US these days, aren’t they?”

“Especially bears that are appreciably larger than the mundane type.” I reached for Aerin’s hand as well, craving contact with them both. “And then, imagine if they saw me shift? Shifters are not accepted as real by many, and my parents always warned that the government would love to get their hands on one of us to study. In a cage. Far from everyone we know and love.”

“We would never let that happen to you.” Aerin squeezed my fingers so hard I squeaked. “Sorry. I just… We would die before we allowed someone to take you prisoner or hurt you in any way.”

Callon stroked the back of my hand with his thumb. “No one shall ever harm you.” Were they also thinking of our children who might very well be bears? Our genetics were strong.

“Would you like me to shift now?” We were in the forest, nobody close enough to see. “My bear wants very much to meet you both and show you her form.”

They both stopped walking, bringing me to a halt as well. “We would be so honored,” Callon murmured. “If you’re sure.”

“We both are.” I released their hands and stepped away a few feet. “I have to undress first.

They turned away and I was warmed by their consideration. I didn’t have much experience with sex—all right, none—but I did have some with being naked around other shifters, so I was not very shy about that. Elves, shifters…close enough I hadn’t worried, but now that I thought of it, I kind of wanted to show off a little. My body in either form was something to be proud of. Still, it was such a sweet gesture. My bear was nudging me to shift, and I did so before she pushed the issue and did it on her own. Not something to be encouraged at all.

I growled, and they turned, facing me with expressions of such awe, my bear preened. She stood still, head high and legs in what I always thought of as “show position” as they approached us.

“Oh, Misty, you’re just as beautiful in this form as in the other.” Callon reached out a tentative hand. “May I stroke you?”

I bumped him with my head, hoping he understood that to be a yes, and felt his palm run down my back, fingers rubbing my fur.

Mate.

Then Aerin also touched me and she changed it to,Mates.

Chapter Eighteen

Callon

I’d never seen anyone shift before, and I didn’t see her shift now, although I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye. If all went well, there would be many opportunities to watch her take her four-legged form. For now, I was just thrilled to see her bear and to be allowed to stroke her thick, lush fur. Aerin and I petted her from nose to tail, wanting to map her gorgeousness. She was indeed larger than any bear I’d ever seen, but in perfect proportion and fluffier as well. A winter coat, maybe?

After a while, she shook herself and shifted back, before we had a chance to turn away. Nor did she seem to want us to, smiling gently and reaching for her clothes with no hurry. “Next time, I’d like to go for a run and let her stretch her legs.”

“You can do that now,” I offered. “We’ll wait for you.”

“Actually, shifting burns a lot of calories, and I didn’t eat much food this morning.” Her cheeks colored. “For obvious reasons. Can we go back to the cottage and have a sandwich or something? I can actually make those pretty successfully.”

“I have a better idea,” Aerin said, not even attempting to look away while she dressed. To be fair, I might have been admiring her gorgeous body as well. Did her comfort with us watching her mean she was ready for more? “Let’s go to Wendy’s for lunch.”

“Wendy’s? Is that a friend of yours?” Misty asked. “Is it okay to just show up without being invited?”

“Actually, Wendy is my sister,” I told her. “And we are always invited to her house, but this would be to her restaurant.”

“I thought from what you said that there was no food to be had here except what you cooked yourself.”

“I think we mentioned there being no fast food and such, and there isn’t. Wendy’s place is open for breakfast and lunch, with a limited menu, but it’s all good and, well, you’ll just have to come along and see.” Everything there was so good, and I was a little excited about introducing her to my favorite sister. “You in?”

“I’m in.”

Wendy operated her business in a cottage right next to the one she lived in, and we got there just before lunch service ended, meaning, she’d be available to chat with us because it wouldn’t be busy. There were only a few people finishing up their meal, and within a minute or two, Wendy came over to take our order. Or rather tell us what we’d be having.The place was charming with half a dozen tables for two or four and a little garden area where Callon told me food and wine were served outside in nice weather.

Wendy sat in the empty chair at the table. “Welcome, you must be the female the whole town is talking about.”

“I am?” Misty’s cheeks colored again. I loved seeing it. “I haven’t done a thing to earn it.”

“The only thing left is stew and fresh bread, and my assistants will bring it out to you.” She faced the two of us and tsked. “Go to it.”

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