Mated to the Wilde Bear

Chapter 17: Laurel

Kelly whirled, eyes wide, as she pointed down at the animal print caught in the pile of flour. “Is this a… paw print?”

“Yes.” Laurel squeezed her eyes shut in resignation. After tonight, she wouldn’t deny it. Xavier might be a complete and total ass, but he’d shown her one thing: she couldn’t possibly continue this double life. Not in her own home. And she wouldn’t lie. Not after Xavier had just basically done the same thing to her.

Okay, maybe not an actual lie, but he was hiding something. And now that she knew how it felt, the shoe on the other foot sucked. Besides, she didn’t have the mental energy to even think of a good excuse right now.

She sighed. “I think it is.” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Kelly’s eyes narrowed to slits, and her head cocked sideways, her cropped brown hair bouncing. “Why are you wearing a man’s shirt?” Her expression changed as she finally noticed Laurel’s bare feet and the half-open back door. “Are you just getting home?”

Laurel nodded. “Kelly, I’m sorry about the damage.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’ll pay for it all.”

“What? Why would you do that? It’s not your fault.”

Laurel didn’t answer, but she felt Kelly’s suspicion finally land on her.

“What is going on here?” Kelly demanded. She looked down at the paw print in the flour and then back to Laurel’s feet. The cut from the lamp shard had already stopped bleeding. It had probably already healed. Kelly’s lips thinned. “Tell me now.”.

“I’m a shifter,” Laurel said quickly before she could change her mind. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I try very hard not to shift unless I’m far away from home and town and everyone. I’ve been busy at work and fighting it, and I think I waited too long this time and… I’m sorry. I’ll pay for everything,” she repeated, and because she knew she was rambling and Kelly hated that, she shut up.

Kelly stared at her for a long, wretched moment, and for a second, Laurel thought maybe she’d let it go. Accept it. Maybe she’d finally found a human who would let her be herself. But then Kelly’s face went red, and she stabbed a finger in the direction of Laurel’s bedroom. “Get your shit and get. Out.”

“Right. I understand if you want me to give notice. I know the lease says thirty days—” Laurel began.

“Now!” Kelly screamed. “You can get out right fucking now!”

“You’re really that mad at me for being a shifter?” Laurel yelled back.

“Are you kidding me?” Kelly demanded, continuing before Laurel could answer. “I’m kicking you out for lying to me and for trashing my house. Yes, you can pay for it by mailing me a check tomorrow. But right now, you can get your shit and get out. I don’t believe this.” She stomped out and a second later, Laurel heard Kelly’s bedroom door slam shut.

She held her breath and listened, waiting to hear if Kelly had decided to call the police or worse, her boss, but all she heard coming from behind Kelly’s closed door was muttering. Curses—lots of them, at first, and then nothing.

Shoulders slumped, she went to her room to change and pack.