Page 42 of Baseball and Shifters

My wolf runs through the woods, leaping over fallen branches and skidding through piles of leaves as if he’s on a mission. I finally come out of my pity party when I feel the mate bond flare to life. Looking through my wolf’s eyes, I see our mate lying on the beach where we had our first kiss.

She’s a thing of beauty, my Moonbeam. A tiny red fox with four unique tails. My favorite is the snow white tail that matches my wolf’s. But since I last saw her fox, two of her fox tails have changed. One now has bold black stripes like Bas’s tiger’s and the other has the same coloring as Derrick’s green and gold dragon tail. It’s really an amusing sight seeing four very different tails on her fox, but my girl pulls it off.

After admiring her for a moment, I shift back so I can talk to her.

“You didn’t come.” I don’t know why I’m still stuck on that. She’s here now and I already feel better just being in her presence, but I can’t let it go. I need to understand why.

Her fox lifts her head and a part of me breaks at the sorrow in her eyes. I run to her, dropping to my knees beside her and stroking her head.

“Don’t be sad, Moonbeam. I’m sorry. I’m not mad. I just… I missed you.”

She whines and buries her head in my lap as I continue to pet her.

“What’s the matter? Don’t hide from me, Moonbeam. You can tell me anything.”

She skitters back and I pull my hand away. She shifts back to human but doesn’t look at me. I can tell she’s conflicted about talking to me, so I give her space and let her come to me on her own.

“I was too scared. What if he was there? He’d know. Even if I covered up my marks, which I don’t want to do. Bas was so sad when I hid his mark yesterday for class.”

“So don’t cover them. I haven’t even seen mine.” My over dramatic pout pulls a giggle from her and my wolf puffs his chest out in pride. We did that. We made our mate smile.

“Sorry. Yours is the easiest to cover. I never wear shorts, so it’s safe to say I’m the only one who will ever see it.”

“Never say never,” I tease, loving the blush that covers her face at my heated look.

“Since you ditched me during my time of need-”

“Your time of need? It was a baseball game.” She rolls her eyes.

“Yes, and you weren’t there. I always need you with me, Moonbeam. I think you should make it up to me.”

“Oh? And how do you propose I do that?”

I love that she’s playing along with me and not running from the sight of me like she did just weeks ago. She’s grown so much in such a short time.

“Come back to my room. Spend the night with me.”

“I don’t know… I don’t think I’m ready forthat.” She flushes a bright red and I can’t fight the smile.

“Not sure whatthatis, but I was talking about cuddling in bed while we watch a movie. What were you thinking about, dirty girl?”

She glares at me and I laugh.

“Anyone ever tell you, you’re adorable when you pretend to be mad?”

“Who’s pretending?” She arches a brow.

“I’ll let you pick the movie,” I offer.

“What about the others?”

“My bed’s not that big. They’ll have to wait their turn.”

“But they won’t be mad? If I stay the night with you and don’t spend any time with them?”

“Mad? Not at all. Jealous that I get you all to myself for a night? Probably. But not in the bad way you’re thinking. Besides, they’ll get to see you for breakfast.”

“IfI stay all night. I’ll probably go back to my room when I start getting tired.”

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