Page 25 of Baseball and Shifters

He tilts his head as if confused by my reaction before his eyes widen and he lies on the ground, rolling to expose his belly.

What the heck?

He’s not going to kill me?

My stupid kitsune doesn’t see the danger and ignores my inner screaming as she walks us right up to him and bumps his head with our nose.

This girl has no sense of self preservation.

As we walk by the scary wolf that could easily eat us, she swats him in the face with our tails. That’s when I notice that one of my tails has changed. It no longer matches the rest of my red fur. No, this tail is stark white and completely matches the wolf in front of us.

Lucas.

That’s why my fox feels so comfortable with him.

Our tails must tickle his nose because a chuff that could only be interpreted as a wolfy sneeze sounds behind us making us jump and turn, lowering ourselves, ready to pounce on the danger. Rolling back onto his legs, he stands and towers over us for just a moment before dropping into a play bow. His pointed ears stand at attention and instead of wagging his tail like a dog, I swear he’s swishing his entire butt. It takes me a minute to catch on, but my kitsune side is immediately ready and when he turns to run away, she pursues him. Jumping over a fallen log, we dart to the left, scaling another log to gain a height advantage over our massive friend. What we lack in speed we make up for in maneuverability. Making it to the top of the fallen log, we wait just a moment before pouncing.

Landing on the massive wolf's back takes my breath away. I’m still like twenty percent sure he only wants to eat us, but my kitsune is so damn proud of herself for catching her ‘prey’ and I’m having a hard time pulling us away. The wolf rolls out from beneath us and darts off in another direction. He’s only about ten yards away when he stops and looks back at us.

Does he want us to follow him?

Against my better judgement, we do. Another fifty or so yards of bobbing and weaving through the forest, we come to an opening. Just beyond the edge of the tree line is a short sandy beach and then a huge lake.

Why isn’t this on the map? It’s beautiful!

I must have been mesmerized by the lake for longer than I thought because when I look to where the wolf once stood in his place, now sits Lucas. He has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on anyone and something tells me that’s saying a lot for him. I get the sense this is a man who smiles often.

Unlike my father.

“Hey. Where’d you go, pretty girl?” His teasing voice snaps me out of the depressing thoughts of my father and back to the present.

Okay. Looks like we’re having a conversation now. Guess I better shift back.

One second, I feel free in my kitsune form and the next I’m back to my normal, neurotic human self. For a while there, I was happy to be in my mate’s presence. Something I never thought I’d feel. Now, as if simply changing forms brings back all my worries, I lose all the levity of our playful chase.

He must know what I am now. And if he knows anything about my kind, he’ll know what my tails signify. He’ll hate me as much as my father does. No man wants to share his mate.

“If you’re going to kill me, I’d rather you just get it over with, please.” I sit down next to him and draw my legs up to my chest, hugging them tight.

He lets out a shocked gasp. “Kill you? Why on earth would I do that?”

“Because you don’t want me as a mate.” I shrug. “I’ve heard it’s better than just rejecting the bond. You might even get a new mate with me out of the picture.”

My heart shatters as I say the words, but I don’t let him see how much the thought hurts me.

“Oh, pretty girl.” He shakes his head as he slowly scooches closer to me. “I would never hurt you. You're my Moonbeam, my guiding light. I could never cause you harm, because harming you would be like willingly shredding my own soul.”

“But I have four mates. I’m a slut. How could you want me?” I bury my face in my hands, unable to meet his eyes.

“You’re not a slut! Who called you that?” The anger in his voice makes me shrink in on myself more.

“My father, it’s been his favorite ever since he saw my kitsune for the first time. He said my fox was nothing but a little whore flaunting her promiscuity around.”

“Moonbeam, look at me,” his voice is gentle but firm as he uses one hand to lift my chin. “I don’t care if you have enough mates to form our own damn baseball team. I am yours and you are mine.”

He declares it with such a finality that I can’t help but lean into his touch. I believe it, even if only for a moment. Maybe he does want me. It’s possible I won’t be alone forever, and that thought makes a smile break out on my face.

“Fates, you’re gorgeous when you smile,” Lucas says. “Can I kiss you Moonbeam?”

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