How many other ferals had no choice? The shifter collective consciousness liked to think that all ferals were nothing but psychotic or evil shifters who would have been worthless to society even if theyhadbeen part of a pack, but that was more myth than truth. Like me, most were victims of circumstance, pushed out to the fringes of society to fend for themselves.
My thoughts weighed heavily on me for the rest of the day. While Cameron and I were mindlessly watching some ’90s Will Smith action movie, I kept drifting back to the problem. For the first time in my life, I wished I could dosomething. I’d spent so much time living for myself that it was hard to rectify that with my desire for a better world. Perhaps I wasn’t as bitter and self-centered as I’d always imagined myself to be.
We’d had the leftovers for an early dinner, but less than four hours later, Cameron started digging through the takeout bags.
I shot her a bemused smile. “What are you looking for?”
She shoved an empty takeout bag into the trash can. “I’m freaking starving. Why am I hungry again?”
“It’s your metabolism,” I explained, pausing the movie. “It’s faster now that you’ve shifted. One of the benefits of being a shifter.” I shrugged. “It’s kinda why a lot of us look…” I cleared my throat, not wanting to sound too conceited. “Uh, look like?—”
“Underwear models?” Cameron asked.
“I was gonna say ‘really fit,’ but I guess that works, too.”
“So, I can have a great body, but I’ll be starving all the time? Great.” She grunted and crossed her arms as she looked out the window.
The sun hadn’t quite gone down yet. Following her gaze, I spotted a small market a couple blocks down the road.
“What are you thinking?” I asked warily.
“I’m craving something.”
I grinned. “Ibetyou are.”
She turned a withering glare on me. “Not likethat. I’m craving junk food.”
I studied her, recalling my past experiences with female shifters. “Not to pry, but when is your next period?”
Cameron’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Why?”
“Well…” I hesitated. “I’ve heard, from multiple women, that the first menstrual cycle after the initial shift can bereallyrough. So, I don’t want you to think anything is wrong if it’s super uncomfortable.”
Cameron threw her hands in the air. “This just keeps getting better. That’s it. Iamgoing to get some snacks.” She glanced out the window again, then looked back at me, the smile fading. “Do you think it’s safe for me to go down the street?”
Looking out the window, I estimated the distance to the store to be only about three hundred meters.
“No one knows we’re here,” I said. “We’ve only used JC’s credit card, so I don’t know how anyone would find us. Still, I should go with you.”
Cameron sighed and made a face. “I kinda wanted to call Lesley on the walk over. Chat a little, you know. This is gonna sound bad, but I’d rather have a girl talk withjusta girl.”
“How about this?” I said, and rose from the couch. “Compromise. I’ll head outside and watch you go. If anything weird happens on the way there or back, I’ll see it and swoop in to save the day. Fair enough?”
Cameron shot me a dazzling smile. “That works.”
I handed her the credit card, then shrugged on my jacket.
“Thanks for this,” Cameron said. “It sounds silly, but it means a lot. Just a few minutes of chatting with my friend alone might make all this feel normal for a bit, you know?”
“I get it.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “I’ll be watching, but be careful, anyway. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” She gave a silly mock salute. “I’ll keep my head on a swivel?—”
I yanked against my chest before she could finish and kissed her. I parted her lips with my tongue and drew in the taste of her.
When I pulled away, I winked at her. “Just be careful. That’s all.”
Cameron pressed her fingers to her lips, looking a little frazzled. “Okay,” she said with a smile and turned to go.
