“No, dude.” Shayna rubbed my ears. “This is just temporary. Her tigress form is the only one she’s ever been able to control. We figured it’s because it was the first animal she touched after her magic-like illness.”
Aric’s smile faded. “So why isn’t she changing back now?”
Shayna pulled the small throw blanket from the edge of my bed so it covered me up to my neck. “When she’s scared or stressed, she can’t relax enough to change back. I think since you’re a wolf, her rabbit instincts are telling her to be afraid of you.”
“She has nothing to fear from me.”
My nose twitched. Except for heartbreak and further humiliation.
Shayna rubbed the area between my ears and spoke softly. “Then why did Liam think he may have to kill her? And why did the others try to protect you?”
Aric kept his eyes on me. “They mistook her for a shape-shifter. Shape-shifters are born witches and spend years making blood sacrifices to command any form of their choosing.”
Shayna stopped rubbing my back. “Dude, Celia’s so not a witch. And I assure you she’s never sacrificed anyone.” She paused, her voice trickling hints of sadness. “Except herself…to keep the three of us safe.”
Aric smiled at her gently. “It’s obvious she would do anything for you.”
Shayna squeezed me tight. “And she has…but she’s so lonely because of it.”
I nudged her with my paw. The last thing I needed Aric to hear was more, “Golly gee, you wouldn’t believe how pathetically friendless and love-starved Celia is” testimony.
She laughed and whispered low into my bunny ears, “Don’t worry, Ceel. I won’t mention how long it’s been since you’ve had…relations.”
It was times like this I wished my powers included manifesting rocks to stone Shayna with. She might as well have screamed it out loud with how well Aric could hear.
She continued as Aric coughed nervously into his elbow. “Aric, I don’t mean to insult you, but trust me when I say Celia doesn’t want the rabbits—live, roasted, or otherwise. I know you meant well, but rabbits aren’t her thing.”
Aric’s face reddened before he averted his gaze. “Of course. I didn’t mean to upset her.” He adjusted his weight, causing one of my picture frames to fall over. He glanced at it before placing it back on its stand. It was a photo of me wearing overalls and two big ponytails. Something about it made him smile. “She still looks the same in a lot of ways.”
Shayna laughed. “Oh, I’m sure a couple of things have developed since then.”
I thumped my hind leg with annoyance, causing Shayna to laugh harder. She smoothed down my ears and rose. “Aric? Would you mind taking over soothing-Celia duty? I think she’s in better spirits.” She nibbled on her lip. “Not to mention I’d like to spend time with that cute little buddy of yours.”
Aric chuckled as he sat on the bed. “I’m sure Koda would like that. Thanks, Shayna.”
Aric lay across the bed next to me as soon as Shayna left. He stroked my fur from my head all the way across my back. “In case you’re wondering…I still don’t care what you are.” He smiled. “And you make a damn sweet bunny.”
Said the big, bad beast to the little wabbit. I backed into his chest and rested my fuzzy face against the crook of his bent arm. For a bunny, I was pretty brave. Had I been human, I wouldn’t have dared to lie so close to him.
Aric stayed quiet for a long time, hypnotizing me with his strokes and the warmth of his body. The others moved around downstairs, and I could smell the coals burning when the barbecue was lit. Shayna laughed out loud at something Koda mumbled to her, and Liam fumbled with the playlist until he found a hard-thumping classic rock song. But in my room just then, things felt strangely peaceful. I wished I had the ability to freeze time, or at least slow it down. This moment between Aric and me was more perfect than the sun setting across Tahoe on a warm summer night.
And yet as much as I wanted to hold on to my time with Aric, I was no match for his gentle touch and the sound of the soft rain splattering against the window. My ears flopped against my head and I felt myself begin to change back.
Aric adjusted the blanket over my shoulders. He stood with his back to me, allowing me some privacy, but not appearing anxious to leave. “I like your room,” he said quietly.
Weres frequently walked naked around one another. Changing as they did didn’t allow much room for modesty. I wasn’t a were, and, despite my toned body, I remained extremely modest. I adjusted the sheet around my breasts. “Thank you. Shayna helped me decorate it.”