Page 46 of Mismatched Mates

Finally, she let out a long breath. "If anything happens to them, Grant Elston, I swear I'll?—"

"Maul me? Tear me limb from limb?" I finished, grinning. "Wouldn't dream of letting it come to that."

She turned, calling out to the boys. "Lance! Brandon! Come here for a second."

The twins' heads popped up like prairie dogs, their eyes wide with curiosity. They bounded over, practically vibrating with energy.

"How would you two like to go for a run in the woods?" Jane asked, her voice soft but excited.

Their reaction was immediate and explosive. "Really?" Lance squealed.

Brandon's jaw dropped. "You mean it, Mom? Like, for real?"

I chuckled, their enthusiasm infectious. "For real, kiddos. What do you say we show your mom how it's done?"

The boys exchanged a look of pure joy before turning back to us, nodding so vigorously I worried their heads might pop off.

As we made our way towards the treeline, I noticed Jane's steps seemed lighter, almost eager. The scent of pine and damp earth grew stronger, and a cool breeze ruffled our hair.

The boys raced ahead, their laughter echoing through the trees. Jane's eyes never left them, but I caught the way her nostrils flared, drinking in the forest air.

"You know," I said, keeping my voice low, "it's okay to enjoy this too. They're safe. I promise."

She glanced at me, a mix of gratitude and lingering worry in her eyes. "I know. It's just... hard to turn off sometimes."

We reached a small clearing, bathed in dappled moonlight. The twins were already shedding their formal wear, giggling as they helped each other with buttons and zippers.

"Ready?" I asked, meeting Jane's gaze.

She took a deep breath, then nodded. "Ready."

As we prepared to shift, I felt like something fundamental changed between us.

"Last one shifted's a rotten egg!" Lance shouted, already half-transformed.

"No fair!" Brandon whined, struggling with his shoelaces.

I chuckled, shrugging off my pants. "Alright, boys, let's make this a fair race. On three, okay?"

Jane shot me a grateful look as she helped Brandon.

"One..." I began, feeling the familiar tingle of the change. "Two..."

The boys were practically vibrating with excitement.

"Three!"

The shift always feels like stretching after a long nap - slightly uncomfortable for a split second, then pure relief. My bones cracked and reformed, fur sprouting across my skin. In moments, I stood on four paws, shaking out my thick gray coat.

Jane's bear form was breathtaking - a dark cinnamon-colored beauty with intelligent eyes. The cubs tumbled around her feet, all baby fat and clumsy paws.

I let out a playful growl, and we were off. The forest floor felt amazing under my pads, rich with scents I could never fully appreciate in human form. The cubs darted between trees, snapping at low-hanging branches and chasing each other's tails.

Jane loped beside me, her powerful strides eating up the ground. There was a freedom in her movements I'd never seen before, like she'd shed more than just her human skin.

I kept a watchful eye on our surroundings, my protective instincts on high alert.

This felt right in a way I couldn't quite explain.

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