Page 7 of Rehabilitated

“A shifter is someone who can change between human and animal form.”

“So, you can turn into a bear?”

“Yes, and you can too. Or you should be able to.”

“I promise you I would know if I was a bear, and I’ve never shifted in my life. I’ve never heard about any of this.”

“Your parents never mentioned it?”

“I mean, I was adopted, so maybe they didn’t know? Even if they did, I doubt they would have told me. They didn’t talk to me like that.”

“Right. I hate your parents.”

I sigh. “Yeah, they’re not my favorite people either.”

I move closer to where she’s perched on the bed. “There are other animal shifters too. Wolves, birds, fish—all of them.”

“Can you pick your animal?”

“No, it’s hereditary.”

“So, my parents—my real birth parents—were bear shifters?”

“At least one of them was. You don’t know anything about them?”

Ever’s fingers twist nervously in the sheets. “No, I was punished if I ever asked about them.”

My jaw clenches. She hates any sign of anger. She shrinks in on herself and becomes still and quiet. I know she learned to do that after years of her family hurting her, and I hate it. I wish I’d found her sooner. I wish I could have prevented all of it.

“Shifters usually grow up in packs. There’s one here in Night Grove Falls. We have four Alphas, actually, one for each quadrant of the land since we’re so spread out.”

“Okay…”

“Alphas are the leaders.”

“Are you an Alpha?”

I snort. “No, I don’t enjoy being around people all that much. I would hate to have to solve everyone’s problems all day long.”

She sighs. “Me too.”

I smile. “Okay, so you know about shifters now. I’m sure you have a million questions, so if you need me to stop or slow down, let me know.”

She nods, and I want to go to her and wrap her in my arms. My bear is shouting at me to bite and mark her. He wants to call Ansel and see if there’s any news. He wants to find her family and slaughter all of them. I want that too. I want them to feel even a fraction of the fear they’ve made my mate feel over the years, but I can’t do any of that right now.

Ever needs us. She has to be so confused by all of this, I remind my bear.

Tell her about us, he orders.

“Shifters don’t date. They don’t need to,” I blurt. “We only have one person, our fated mate. That’s the only person we’ll ever love or be attracted to.”

“How do you choose that?” Ever asks, her brow wrinkling adorably.

“You don’t. Fate, the universe, or whatever—they choose it for you. You’re mine, Ever.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I can smell you. That’s how we know. As soon as I smelled you, my bear knew.”