Page 49 of Bear My Heart

His sister waved an unconcerned hand. "Shifting heals most injuries with one or two shifts. Otherwise my brother would be like Freddie Krueger."

"I don't know why you even know who Freddie Krueger is," his mom said. "That was my time, not yours."

Lynn rolled her eyes. "Ugh, time is flat now, Mom. Streaming services changed all that 'my era, your era' thing."

"Yeah? So tell me who Rudolph Valentino was."

Aaron and Lynn eyed each other, then both reached for their phones as all the parents and grandparents laughed. Dinner went on, the mounds of fish and chips slowly disappearing, and eventually his mom offered to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Shanti shook her head. "That sounds so good, but I've eaten so much, and also I'm so tired," she said apologetically. "I'm already afraid I'm about to fall asleep in my plate."

"We'll come over for cookies tomorrow," Pete offered, and his mom made a face at him.

"Oh, so now you want me to go to the effort tomorrow?"

Shanti sat up, blinking in dismay. "What? No! Of course not!"

"I'm teasing," Pete's mom promised. "I make cookies about twice a week anyway, and my children come over and eat them all."

"We wouldn't if you didn't text us and say 'Cookies!'" Lynn pointed out, and their mom shrugged.

"I've got to see my children somehow, don't I? Anyway, take that girl home, Peter," she said to him firmly. "She really is falling asleep in her plate."

Shanti wailed, "I'm sorry!" and Pete's mom shook her head.

"Don't be. It's a tiring flight. But we're glad you're here, and even gladder to meet you."

"I am too," Shanti said, her eyes suddenly soft and damp. "You're all wonderful. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly."

A round of awwws met that, and as Shanti got up from the table, most of Pete's family got up with her, offering hugs that she shyly accepted. Peter hung back a moment as she went to start bundling up, and murmured to his dad, "Have you guys heard anything about the shifter exposure down in Colorado?"

His dad's eyebrows drew down. "A little. Carol Torben's family was involved in it and she's been keeping us posted, but so far nothing seems to have come of it. Why, do you know more?"

"No, I just wanted Shkalnik's shifters to be prepared if…" Pete shook his head. "I don't even know what the 'if' is, honestly. I don't know what we'd do."

"I don't think any of us do," his father replied. "We can't fight back and there are too many of us to hide. I think we just have to hope it all fades away."

Pete nodded. "I'm going to talk to Carol in the next day or two, to see if she's got any more information or a plan if things go sideways."

His dad nodded, too, then lifted his chin toward where Shanti had gone. "She's great. I'm happy for you, son."

"Me too," Pete said with a stupid smile. "Thanks."

"Drive carefully getting home. The roads aren't too bad, but you're tired."

"I really am." Pete fought off a yawn as he went down to the foyer to put his shoes on, and to collect hugs from the entire family, who were jammed into the seven-by-seven-foot-square space. It took a few minutes to get out the door, but he and Shanti were both smiling as they left, and she said, "I really like them," as soon as the door closed behind her.

"They really liked you too. And I can't wait to show you Shkalnik in the daytime."

She laughed, leaning against him on the short walk to the truck. "So in, like, March?"

"Ooh! Harsh but fair," he admitted. "Although I did mean tomorrow."

Shanti giggled and stood on her toes to kiss him before going around the truck to get into the passenger seat. Neither of them said much on the drive back, but every time Pete glanced at Shanti, she was smiling, and he knew that he was, too. At home, she unpacked enough to find her pyjamas and toothbrush, and came out of the bathroom looking both adorable in soft flannel, and incredibly sleepy. "Is it okay if I sleep with you tonight?"

"It's always okay," he promised. "No pressure."

"Because you're perfect," she mumbled sleepily, and went to crawl into his bed.