Page 4 of A Hutch for Hoover (Omegas of Animals #15)

Grant

The complex where I lived was not only nicely appointed, comfortable, and had both a pool and a lazy river, but it was entirely populated with shifters and isolated enough that we could all be ourselves.

It was not unusual for a fox to be curled up on a lounger by the pool or a bear to splash around in the shallows.

Even a mountain lion surveying the greenspace below his balcony.

My alpha dad always warned me against shifting where a human could see.

Not everyone believed in shifters outside of novels, and even those who did were more likely to see an apex predator and panic or worse.

So, when I ventured forth from our pack lands, I’d believed I’d have to keep my wolf in check nearly all the time.

Instead, thanks to Hannah, my beast had never been freer.

He loved the lazy river and the pool, as well.

Sometimes, looking at the crystal waters, I wondered what magic they employed to keep them so clean with all the furry creatures paddling around most evenings.

On this particular day, I had to be at the shop early, but my wolf wanted a run, so I rose at dawn and without even having to get dressed, walked out onto my porch and shifted.

I loved my neighbors so much—they never even batted an eye.

The desert could be a lot during the middle of the day, hotter than my beast enjoyed with his fur coat and sensitive paw pads, but as the sun climbed over the horizon, it was many degrees cooler than it would be later.

The availability of such open land for running had me out there more days than not. Funny, I’d always assumed my wolf loved forests—actually, he did—and had been concerned he’d hate the desert.

Instead, he regarded it as an open plain where he could leap over most obstacles instead of having to go around them.

His sensitive nose found every source of water, so on days where we didn’t have to rush back to open the shop, we could run on until the heat drove him back, if it did.

He could sate his thirst numerous places, always avoiding anything toxic or heavily saline.

A sandy, cactus-strewn wolf’s playground complete with tasty creatures for a snack along the way.

This morning, however, we only had an hour or so, and when I arrived back at the apartment and placed my paw on the pad outside the door, it opened and we entered.

The developers of this property really had shifters in mind when they built it.

If I was in my skin, I could use my palm for entry with the pad next to the door, but they had cleverly added a means for an animal to use a paw or claw or whatever they had, to enter without having to shift back.

A quick shower, and I was on my way to the shop. From the day I made my first smoothie in my dads’ kitchen, this had been my goal, and now that I’d achieved it, my imagination had no limits. A second location in Phoenix was in the works, and if that went well, then further expansion would be next.

My once concern was how to make sure I kept a hands-on approach to the whole thing.

Money was great, and I certainly had no objection to the security it brought, but unlike many entrepreneurs, I had no interest in building it up to sell.

Franchising, possibly, because I could imagine it being a great option for other shifters who wanted a successful business where no humans were demanding credentials most did not have.

They often stayed in their packs and floated along with no real plan because they didn’t know what else to do.

I’d been fortunate to have dads who supported my goals, whether they kept me home with them or not.

We had a truly loving home, and I didn’t leave because I felt unloved, but what I wanted to do required more.

More schooling, my experience in business, more contact with the outside world.

And in some cases, those who left would be named rogue and unwelcome to return, losing all the help their families would have offered if they could.

Fortunately, that situation was less common than it had been. It still came up from time to time, though.

Often homeschooled, with an education more suited to pack life than business, young pack members would require careful handling to help them get started and support from that point on. Of course, they’d need to be excited about the world’s best smoothies!

My day began with a surprise. Karma— the Karma—to whom I owed so much, arrived at the shop, accompanied by a couple of bear shifters who loomed over her protectively. “Cousins of my husband,” she introduced them. “What kind of smoothies, guys?”

While one of my counter staff prepared their drinks, Karma waved me aside. “I know you’re busy, but do you have a moment to talk?”

A moment to talk? I needed to spend an hour thanking her. But when I tried, she waved my gratitude aside. “I’m so glad you’re happy here. We needed a smoothie place in the neighborhood. My mate, Warren, is a huge fan, and when I leave, I’ll need to take him a couple.”

“Of course. On the house!”

“No, no. I would feel bad doing that.”

“Then, can we make you one for while we talk?”

“Only if you let me pay. Do you have something with strawberry and mango?”

There was no way she was paying, but I didn’t argue. I’d charge her a reduced amount for her in-laws and her mate, but hers? Not a dime. “We do, with a touch of lime? We can leave it out, if you don’t want it.”

“Lime is perfect.”

Two minutes later, Ronny, the counter person, set our drinks in front of us.

“In glass?”

“Would you rather a to-go cup?” Ronny looked like he was about to cry, poor kid. “I thought—”

“No. I love that you use real glassware when you can.” Karma took a sip. “Best thing I’ve had in forever.”

His demeanor changed, like sunlight coming from behind clouds. “Really? I’d have said it was your Cosmic Margaritas at Animals.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest?” She smiled, and Ronny, who I’d have described as a grouchy young adult most of the time, floated back to the blender bank, his feet barely touching the floor. Not that unusual for a hawk shifter but not in this form.

“You’ve got a fan,” I told her. “He’s mentioned your club a few times, and I’ve been wanting to come and thank you in person for your help. Although I have no idea how you managed to do it without even knowing me.”

“Well, I’m glad to meet you now because we have an event coming up called Community Days, and I wanted to surprise my mate with a smoothie booth. And of course it has to be the ‘world’s best.’”

Wow, that review got a lot of play.

“I’d be honored to do anything at Animals.”

“I’m sure getting your business off the ground has made it hard to meet other business owners and network. Plus, it’s a way to get you there to visit with us all.” She finished her smoothie and stood to take the glass to the counter.

“I’ll do that.”

She held the glass out of my reach. “No, the sign says to bus your own dishes.” I would tear that sign down as soon as she left. “And I think it’s a good policy for people to show a little respect for a nice atmosphere and delicious drinks.” Maybe I wouldn’t tear it down.

After she left, Ronny was bubbling with excitement over the encounter, and I couldn’t blame him. Karma was a force of nature, and everything looked brighter after a few minutes in her presence.

I set my empty on the counter as well. “Hey, Ronny? What is Karma?”

“It’s when what goes around comes around.” He washed the two and put them on the rack to dry, but his giggle told me he was teasing. “I know what you mean. Karma is human, in theory, but everyone thinks she’s more.”

Everyone including me.