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Holy shit that was fast.

Hunter huffed and as she glanced up and into the familiar green eyes that stood out against his black fur.

I’m not surprised. You seem to excel at everything you try.

Neri was glad her blush wouldn’t show in this form as she took her first steps as a panther. Her front paw was huge, and she almost tripped over herself as the momentum of her body carried her forward before she righted herself. Her gaze dropped down, and she stood mesmerized by her toes.

Soon, she had the hang of walking on four legs, but she turned around to see what her tail looked like and face planted into some dead pine needles covering the ground. Embarrassed, she closed her eyes and imagined standing on all fours back where Hunter stood and flashed to his side.

I’m not laughing at you.

Why don’t I believe you?

Hunter relented.Okay, a chuckle might have escaped but in this form, it sounds like a huff. I didn’t have to share that tidbit with you, but I wanted to be honest.

Neri pressed her forehead against his shoulder.I appreciate it. Wanna try this again and I’ll not become distracted by my feet or my tail again?

This time, she heard Hunter’s laughter reverberate in her head as his panther huffed and huffed.

You’re good for me, angel. I don’t remember ever laughing so much in my entire life.

He seemed to sober at his words.

You make me happy, Neri. And I will do everything in my power to make you happy, too.

Unable to stop her emotions, tears filled her eyes at his words and the dropped onto the ground with a splash.

Are you kidding? Hunter, you’ve given me the world. You found me and claimed me as your mate; you introduced me to your wonderful, interfering, and loving family, and you… pushed me to reconnect with my mother. But despite all that, being with you and sharing this time with you, is what makes me happy. Everything else is icing on the cake.

She tried to stop the tears from falling. But as she lifted her arm to wipe them away, she almost knocked herself out as the huge paw smacked her on the muzzle. A whine left her throat, a small reason was because of how frustrating she found this form, but more because over the last few days, she’s been more emotional than in her entire life and she was off kilter. Neri admitted all of it when Hunter asked her what was wrong.

Angel, before yesterday, you didn’t realize it was possible to shift. Give yourself time. I remember I hated shifting because I was like Ara when I became a shifter. I took close to an hour the first time, and while it hadn’t hurt, it was uncomfortable, stuck in limbo for minutes at a time. It was ten years before I shifted in seconds.

Oh,oh,that’s why Ara’s frustrated? I didn’t understand their conversation.

Hunter huffed.Like I said, every immortal is extraordinary. They have their own talents and ways of doing things. Sometimes I go months without shifting because there isn’t a need. Other times, like when Silas wants to run around the mountain, I shift every day. Ara will get used to it, she’s only been a shifter for four years.

She understood the truth, but guilt at shifting flooded through her.

Neri!

She moved around and searched through the trees for Silas. When a flash of fur came into the clearing, headed right toward her, she relaxed her muscles and prepared herself for the onslaught. She must have closed her eyes because when the collision didn’t happen, she slid open one eye to find Silas sitting in front of her, blinking at her, looking innocent.

Hey, little man.

Silas purred.Hi, Neri! You’re white, like me.

The three of them froze when the sound of someone running through the trees, breaking branches and crunching the hard earth with each step.

Who’s there?

Is Silas with you?

Yeah, Xander he’s right under me.

Xander blew out a breath and stopped running as he reached the clearing. His brows drew down, and he gave his son a glare. Silas whimpered and Neri moved her head down to glance at him, but her big fat head only got in the way. She ended up tilting her head to the side until she spotted Silas cowering under her.

Sorry, daddy. I was excited to see Neri shift when I heard her and Uncle Hunter talking and I wanted to see. I should have asked you.