Page 52 of The Librarian’s Familiar

August’s sense of smell improved, and he breathed in the scent of soap on Charlie’s skin, layered with deodorant, sex, and coffee. His nails pushed out into claws, and his skin darkened to inky black as his skin prickled and his hollow, translucent fur pushed through.

When it was done, he shook from head to tail like he was shaking off water.

Charlie was still standing there, eyes wide.

That he hadn’t moved was a good sign.

As much as he wanted to walk over, he sat his fat, furry ass on the ground, allowing Charlie to come to him as he’d promised.

Charlie stood there for a couple more seconds. “Okay.” He exhaled. “You’re still you.”

August nodded even though Charlie was talking himself up.

He juggled the clothes in his arms, so they were all on his left arm, and the bag was on the ground. “And you’re not going to eat me.”

August rolled his eyes. He was definitely going to eat him as soon as he shifted for that. He’d nip his neck and lick him.

Charlie took a tiny step forward, not close enough to touch him, but close enough that August could lift a paw and knock him off his feet. Charlie extended his hand like he was letting a dog sniff him in greeting.

Okay fine. He could do that. He leaned forward and touched the outstretched hand with his nose. Nothing about that was terrifying. Or it shouldn’t have been, but Charlie still gasped. However, he didn’t pull his hand away, and he inched closer.

“I can do this.” Charlie nodded, talking to himself. “I’m going to pat you. Is that okay?”

August gave a slow nod so as not to startle him, and Charlie stepped closer, letting his hand drift over August’s head. He paused to scratch his ear. August leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. This was different from the kind of shifts he was used to. There were no boisterous games with his brothers, or being chased by his sister, and no sitting sadly in a hotel bathtub half-filled with cold water because he’d needed to shift but had nowhere else to go.

Even though Charlie was nervous, there was a calmness and a curiosity that came through the bond. For all the problems the bond could cause, like tying their lives together, it also brought them together. Without it, August wouldn’t have been brave enough to return to Charlie’s house this morning. He was glad he had, or he wouldn’t be getting patted like he was an oversized puppy. His brothers would scoff at his enjoyment and the way he leaned against his witch’s legs.

“You’ll get fur all over your clothes.” But Charlie didn’t stop patting him.

Like he didn’t end up with fur on his things anyway.

“You aren’t as big as I expected.”

August was tempted to rear up onto his hind legs, but that was probably pushing things today. He did, however, lift his dinner plate-sized paw, claws extended, so Charlie remembered that he wasn’t a giant fluffy bunny.

Charlie’s swallow was audible. “That’s quite a paw.” He poked one claw with his finger, then stepped back. “Okay. Do it. Stand up because I know polar bears do, and when you shift, you don’t sit there to be patted.”

August tilted his head in silent question.

“I’m sure.” But he took another step back to where he’d originally been standing.

August slowly rose up, towering over Charlie.

“Okay, wow. I would not want you chasing me. I think I’d die of a heart attack before I started running.”

August dropped back to the ground and drew up the shifting heat, this time to return to human. It was always easier going back. The fur sloughed off, and his bones twisted and shrank back into place. He turned his neck in both directions, making it crack, before standing naked and human in front of Charlie.

This time, he didn’t feel the cold at all.

Charlie wasn’t looking at his face. “So you really enjoy shifting.”

August didn’t need to glance down to know he was a little more excited than usual, but then, he’d never shifted with someone he’d slept with. “I really liked the way you were touching me.”

He wanted Charlie to be touching him now.

Or to be touching Charlie; he wasn’t fussed. He closed the distance between them and kissed him, breathing in the scent of his skin. He wanted Charlie to feel the heat and rush of shifting. Maybe he did because when August’s hand brushed over the front of his jeans, he was met by the solid ridge of Charlie’s erection.

“Looks like you enjoyed my shifting, too.” He palmed the length.