“Shit, shit, shit!” I slam my hands on the wheel as I pull into my parking space. I don’t know how to deal with other shifters. I knew I might run into one eventually, just not this soon. I don’t know why my parents kept us away from others; I just know that a rogue shifter can be considered a threat. Am I a rogue? I don’t even know.

I quickly bring my supplies in and put everything away, unsuccessfully trying to forget about my almost meet and greet.

Thursday and Friday pass with little fanfare. On Saturday, I make myself a pineapple upside-down cake and buy a few new books for my birthday. Exciting, I know.

Then I hit the beach. There are a few families with small children. It’s not very busy considering it’s the last week before school. Most of the tourist fugees, the town people’s name for tourists, are gone.

My blanket is warm from the sand and sun, and I can feel the cool breeze blowing in from the lake. I keep my cut-off shorts and tank top on while I read. Completely relaxed, I roll on my belly before turning on some music.

I must have started to doze. Before I’m fully awake, I feel someone near me. I can hear them breathing. My heart speeds and my fight or flight response kicks in. Before I move, I feel him inhale at my neck and I freeze.

“She smells so fucking good, man. Do you smell that?”

I open my eyes before whoever he’s talking to can get near me and roll out from under him. His arm flies out when I move and caught off guard, he falls to my blanket where I was just lying. I’m on my feet and ready to run before he can blink.

“Shit, she’s fast. How the hell do you do that?” another voice asks from my right.

Keeping both of them in sight while I look for more of them, I raise my hands and back away in the universal “I don’t want any trouble” gesture. Sniffer is now getting up and looking at me like I’m a wild animal.

“It’s okay, love. I’m not going to hurt you. Are you okay? Don’t run, okay. I’m Casper, and this here is Michael. Are you new here?” He tilts his head. “I haven’t seen you before. Are you here for vacation or school?”

My brain is going a million miles a minute. They’re both shifters. I can smell them. Will they report me to the local pack? Is there a local pack? What do I do? They’re both just staring at me. Neither of them are acting like I’m in trouble. Should I just go with it?

“I’m sorry I scared you. What’s your name, love?”

Love, why the hell does he keep calling me Love? “Sophia,” I say, still far enough away that I can run if I need to. I answer him a little breathlessly, “Yeah, sorry... I was sleeping? I guess you startled me.”