Falling into the White (The Ancients Series) by Christine M. Butler Page B

closet with my paw as I went by, to let Mikael know there were things in there he could use. I didn’t see his clothes anywhere, so I wasn’t sure where he had gone to shift.
    I sat down and focused on the shift, changing to my human form in a crouch. My robe was in reach, and I grabbed it and swung it around me to cover myself. By the time I stood up and made sure I was presentable, and turned around, Mikael was wearing a robe too, and headed to his motorcycle.
    “You leaving?” I called out to him.
    “Grabbing my clothes so I can change.”
    “What a shame, I’m sure bath-robed motorcycle man could really be a look for you!” I laughed, and he joined in.
    “I’m heading up to get dressed, real quick.” I wasn’t sure why I was clarifying that, other than a part of me didn’t want him to go without me getting to say goodbye.
    “I’ll still be here, although, I do have to get going soon. I promised that I would help out at the shelter a little bit today. They need some handyman skills around there.” I’m not sure what he saw on my face, but he added. “I kind of figured you’d have plans with Evan later, so I didn’t…”
    “It’s okay.” I smiled. “I do have plans, but they’re the kind that involve me and a good book.”
    “Oh,” he looked up at me surprised. I pointed to the second floor of the house to remind him I was on my way to get dressed, and then I turned and took off.
    “Jess,” my mom called to me as I hit the stairs.
    “Yeah, mom?”
    “Did… um, well, both Mikael and Evan stopped by. I wasn’t sure if either of them found you.”
    “Mikael is here. I never saw Evan.”
    “Oh. Okay.” She really took a minute to look at me then. “You seem lighter today, happier.”
    “Do I?”
    “It’s good to see. You’ve had a tough year. I miss seeing that smile of yours. Maybe it’ll stick around for a while now.” With that, my mom walked off, and I went upstairs to get changed. I noticed my phone was showing that I had a missed call recently, but I ignored it. I quickly grabbed some clothes, and tossed them on. It wasn’t anything fantastic, just jeans and a random t-shirt. Then I stuck my phone in my back pocket and raced back downstairs so that I wasn’t keeping Mikael waiting any longer than I had to.
    “Hey!” Mikael called out as I walked back out the door. He’d stayed, and waited like he said he would. He was, of course, already dressed. I didn’t feel so bad about my hasty outfit, because he was also wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
    “I like that I don’t have to feel bad about my casual outfit choices.” I nodded to indicate his similar attire.
    “Well, you said you’d be reading all day. Honestly, I was expecting sweats or something.” That made me smile. “I really do have to get going, but I wanted to make sure you were all good first.”
    “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” He seemed to be slightly puzzled by my response, but he just let it go, and got up off the swing.
    “Come here.” I followed his direction, and met him half way. He wrapped one arm around my waist, and pushed back a stray strand of hair from my face with the other. It seemed as though he had something to say to me, but he stayed quiet, just standing there, watching me.
    I pushed closer to him, raising up on my bare tiptoes, and whispered into his ear, “you’re going to be late.” As I tried to back up again, he caught hold of me and kept me close. Mikael leaned in and kissed me with a ferocity I wasn’t prepared for. Not that it was unwelcome, just that I was taken by surprise, and then he let go. “I’ll call you later,” he said before he went and hopped on his bike to leave. My legs were still shaking from that kiss when he took off.
     

MIXED SIGNALS
     
     
    I sat down on the swing, and listened as Mikael’s motorcycle traversed the road leading out of the pack lands. A part of me wished I was on it with him. The stretch between the pack’s land and downtown