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They snort and stomp their hooves.

Tough crowd.I clear my throat. “Well, it seems as though you gentlemen are not ones for small talk. So, I suppose it may be best for us to simply part ways as friends. What do you say?”

They freeze abruptly, heads lifting as they scent the air. My gut clenches as they look around me to Rapunzel, eyes widening.

Oh, no.

In a whirl of magic dust and wind, all five of them shift into their two-legged form.

A low growl rumbles in my chest as they stand unabashedly before us, not even bothering to conjure the illusion of clothing to hide their nudity, proudly showing off their antlers, and their lean, muscular physiques.

The closest one runs a hand through his shoulder-length, tousled, chestnut brown hair, making sure to flex his biceps as his bright green eyes travel over Rapunzel with a look of intense fascination.

She gasps, and I shift my stance to block her again from their view. “Have you never heard of pants?” I snarl.

Stag Shifters covet human females. Their kind are known to use their illusory magic to travel through villages and cities, hiding their antlers and pointed ears, searching for a bride. Humans are so prized in their culture that I’ve heard it is not unusual for several Stags to sometimes share a female as their mate to form a family Clan.

The largest Stag Shifter smiles, revealing a dazzling flash of white fangs. “Clothing is unnecessary.”

I cross my arms over my chest, flicking my tail in irritation. “I vehemently disagree.”

“What’s wrong, Fox?” He chuckles. “Are you worried the human female will like what she sees?”

I bare my fangs at him.

His eyes sparkle with amusement as he peers past me to my mate. “What is your name, beautiful human and why are you traveling with this Fox?”

Rapunzel presses closer to my back as he continues. “I am Aelric, leader of our herd. You must know it's dangerous here. Ogres prowl these woods at night. A lone Fox can't possibly offer you the protection of an entire herd.” His gaze flicks briefly backto his companions. “Return with us, and we shall make you our queen. We will worship you as you deserve.”

I bristle, jealousy flaring hot and sharp through my veins.

“My name is Rapunzel.” She moves to my side and takes my hand. “And this is Ren. Thank you for the offer, but I’d prefer to stay with him.”

My chest puffs out with pride as my Fox preens at her words.

Aelric tilts his head, nostrils flaring again. He frowns thoughtfully. “You do not carry his scent or his mark. Are you sure you do not want to stay with us, fair maiden?” He glances at his companions and they each nod. “You would be revered and—”

“Make no mistake.” I growl. “She. Is. Mine.”

Aelric narrows his eyes. “We ran into a Wolf Shifter not far from here. He was looking for a Fox Shifter traveling with a human female.” He arches a brow. “Said she’d been abducted from her home and that there was a reward for her safe return. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that now, would you, Fox?”

I snarl at him, my muscles rippling beneath my skin, readying to shift back into my Fox form as my fangs descend and my claws lengthen in anticipation of an attack.

Aelric and his companions stalk forward, growling and baring their fangs as they begin to close in on us.

“Wait!” Rapunzel steps out from behind me. “You don’t understand.”

They turn their attention to her. “Is he holding you against your will?” One of them asks.

“No. Ren saved me from a Goblin witch that held me captive. If someone is searching for us, they had to have been sent by her.”

I wince inwardly. My mate is far too trusting. For all we know, this could be an elaborate trap; the Stag Shifters may be working for Drusilla.

“She may be telling the truth.” One of the other Stags turns to Aelric. “The Wolf Shifter smelled faintly of licorice—a Goblin’s scent.”

Relief floods my veins. It seems they aren’t in league with Drusilla after all.

I step forward. “Then, the Wolf must have been sent by the Goblin witch to recapture her. How long ago did you see him?”