Sharp Change(6)

Slapping her mental self back in focus, she reminded herself those two neighbors were part of the shifter group. Thank God for the automatic starter button on her key ring. Her hands made a move toward the hall table and stopped. About to grab her prescription sunglasses, she frowned, lifted a hand to her face, and realized she wasn’t wearing her glasses.

Squealing, she dashed to the bathroom and stared at her eyes all over again. Holy shit! She took in her surroundings with much more accuracy, and her jaw dropped. Her usual myopic vision was gone. It had been replaced with sight so perfect she could see right down to the few strands of hair that littered the floor.

She retrieved her smart phone and made a note of the first evident change that occurred after her accident. She grinned. That was one kind of side effect she wouldn’t argue with. Perfect vision rocked.

Grabbing her black shoulder bag and keys she made a run for the car. Surprisingly, it took her less time than she thought to get to it. She floored it when she saw Dick’s front door opening.

She looked in her rearview mirror and caught him standing in the middle of the street, watching her car speed away.

She stopped at Tryx’s Bakery on her way to Julia’s house to pick up her signature chocolate mousse cake; otherwise she’d find herself with one angry wolf. Tryx’s shop was an absolute delight of yumminess.

There were cakes, cookies, truffles, pastries, assorted specialties, and of course, Tryx’s signature chocolate mousse cake. She only made that by request. Everything was displayed to make the customer want to try it all.

Sophia walked in and was instantly surrounded by enough sweets to give her dentist work for at least six months. Every time she walked into the shop, Sophia was sure she’d gone down the rabbit hole.

“Sophia!” Tryx grinned and came around the counter. As the only female in the family, River and Chase’s cousin was thrilled to have Julia to keep her company. Her short spiky hair feathered over her face with a couple of blonde, pink, and blue strands making her look like a little pixie. She wasn’t very tall for a shifter, only about two inches over Sophia’s own five foot three frame. She was slimmer than Sophia and Julia by a good twenty pounds.

Tryx hugged her tight and then lifted her head, narrowing her eyes.

“What?” Sophia asked at the strange expression on Tryx’s face.

Tryx gave her a look as if she were stinking up the place. She hoped she’d put on enough deodorant and didn’t smell funky. She’d had to stop wearing body spray to keep her sister’s new, sensitive shifter senses from complaining over the strong scent.

“You smell weird.” Tryx wrinkled her nose and sniffed Sophia’s shoulder.

Sophia took a tentative step back in order to put some space between herself and the other woman’s frown. “Um, oh that. You see, I got this dress dry cleaned, and they told me they mixed it with someone’s stuff by mistake, so I think you might smell the other person. I think they were a shifter too. Anyhow, do you have that cake? I don’t want to disappoint Julia with as busy as she’s been lately.”

After another sniff, Tryx’s brow smoothed, and she smiled at Sophia. “Of course. I would never want to see my beautiful new cousin angry. It’s all ready, and I’ve added a bag of cookies just for you.”

She strode to the counter and picked up a white bakery box and a bag. Both were closed and tied with pink and gold ribbon, the shop’s signature colors. After she handed Sophia the box, Tryx stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity, then gave her a soft warm smile.

Completely sure there must have been something wrong with the water, Sophia was glad to get out from under Tryx’s scrutiny. Not to mention she could smell the cookies in the bag, and her mouth was starting to water. She was sure if she didn’t eat one soon, she’d drool on her dress.

She turned to face the door and almost jumped out of her skin. Five men stood there scrutinizing her. She staggered back with a thread of unease. Shit, hadn’t these guys ever heard of moving to the side to let a lady pass? Or at the very least not blocking the frigging door?

Tryx jumped in front of Sophia and urged her back. Sophia stared at the other woman’s back as Tryx took an aggressive stance.

Growling, Tryx unleashed her claws. The male faces were tense; the men stood rigid as though they wanted to start a fight with her or turn the woman into puppy chow. It made no sense.

The she-wolf snarled loudly and two of her really big, male assistants came out of the back, jumped over the glass counter and were ready to help the angry Tryx.

Sophia wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was grateful when the men walked out the door, even if they did so reluctantly.