Julie replied. “That got me thinking about starting a family and all the next steps. I don’t know any more about shifters than what the news has said, and there are conflicting reports there.”
“Yes, the shifters are the biggest hot button in all of the media. While most polls show that humans accept shifters and are happy to have them out in the open, it seems like the biggest opponents always happen to be the loudest. I’ve been tracking all the forced registration bills that have been introduced and it surprises me every time. But living here in Clear Creek? Cooper is already known as one of the good guys. He’s respected on the police force and you have a strong Pack behind him. I’ve met with the Alpha and he is a very nice man.”
“Alpha,” she repeated. She’d not gotten there yet.
“Relax.” Shelby pushed Julie’s beer toward her. “Take a drink.”
Julie followed Shelby’s advice. The cold brew was refreshing and gave her time to get her thoughts in order.
“Just take things one step at a time. Cooper is a patient man—obviously, after waiting for you this long. He’ll help you through learning everything you need to,” Shelby assured her.
“I know,” Julie agreed. “But after tonight? Watching someone take a shot at him… I want to be able to protect him. I need to be more informed so I can make sure no one tries to hurt him again.”
“He’s a cop. That’s part of his job, but I understand. I’ll get you the links tonight. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
“I promise to talk to Cooper about anything serious, but I just want to know more,” Julie said. She drank more of her beer, finally feeling more relaxed.
“Loving Cooper will only make you stronger. From everything I’ve seen, the Pack is just one extended family. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone there wouldn’t also be willing to speak with you,” Shelby said.
“I get nervous when I think about meeting them,” Julie confessed.
“You’re going to have to accept the shifters. Otherwise, it won’t work between you and Cooper,” Shelby told her.
“It’s not that.” Julie waved her hand. “I’m scared they won’t think I’m good enough. I love him but if his Pack doesn’t accept me, I don’t know what will happen.”
“They’ll accept you. You were meant for Cooper. Even I can see that and I don’t have any special abilities. I can see you and Cooper being together for a long time.”
“Thanks.” Julie smiled. She sure hoped so. “Let me ask you one question, though.”
“Shoot,” Shelby replied.
“When we have children… Will they be shifters?” she questioned.
“Does it matter?” Shelby responded quickly.
Julie nodded. “Yes, but not for the reason you probably think. I would love them either way. But will I be able to keep them safe if they are? Would it be better if Cooper was with another shifter?”
Shelby grasped her hand. “That’s where you’re lucky. You have awesome friends and family and will have an entire Pack that will have your back. Any children of yours would be treasured and looked after.”
Julie took a deep breath. She hoped Cooper’s people were as accepting as her friend.
“To answer your question, I’m not really sure. The wolf shifters haven’t discussed that with me. They are very protective about their kids. That is going to be a question for Cooper,” Shelby said.
Julie laughed. “If it doesn’t scare him away.”
“I think you and Cooper are pretty much on the same page when it comes to family. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”
Shelby’s phone rang before Julie could reply. She backed off to give her friend the opportunity to answer the call. Just the little time she’d spent talking to Shelby had helped her feel better. Julie knew she’d done the right thing confiding in her.
“Hello?” Shelby spoke into her cell.
Julie could only hear her part of the conversation but she didn’t miss the excitement in
“Yes, the shifters are the biggest hot button in all of the media. While most polls show that humans accept shifters and are happy to have them out in the open, it seems like the biggest opponents always happen to be the loudest. I’ve been tracking all the forced registration bills that have been introduced and it surprises me every time. But living here in Clear Creek? Cooper is already known as one of the good guys. He’s respected on the police force and you have a strong Pack behind him. I’ve met with the Alpha and he is a very nice man.”
“Alpha,” she repeated. She’d not gotten there yet.
“Relax.” Shelby pushed Julie’s beer toward her. “Take a drink.”
Julie followed Shelby’s advice. The cold brew was refreshing and gave her time to get her thoughts in order.
“Just take things one step at a time. Cooper is a patient man—obviously, after waiting for you this long. He’ll help you through learning everything you need to,” Shelby assured her.
“I know,” Julie agreed. “But after tonight? Watching someone take a shot at him… I want to be able to protect him. I need to be more informed so I can make sure no one tries to hurt him again.”
“He’s a cop. That’s part of his job, but I understand. I’ll get you the links tonight. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
“I promise to talk to Cooper about anything serious, but I just want to know more,” Julie said. She drank more of her beer, finally feeling more relaxed.
“Loving Cooper will only make you stronger. From everything I’ve seen, the Pack is just one extended family. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone there wouldn’t also be willing to speak with you,” Shelby said.
“I get nervous when I think about meeting them,” Julie confessed.
“You’re going to have to accept the shifters. Otherwise, it won’t work between you and Cooper,” Shelby told her.
“It’s not that.” Julie waved her hand. “I’m scared they won’t think I’m good enough. I love him but if his Pack doesn’t accept me, I don’t know what will happen.”
“They’ll accept you. You were meant for Cooper. Even I can see that and I don’t have any special abilities. I can see you and Cooper being together for a long time.”
“Thanks.” Julie smiled. She sure hoped so. “Let me ask you one question, though.”
“Shoot,” Shelby replied.
“When we have children… Will they be shifters?” she questioned.
“Does it matter?” Shelby responded quickly.
Julie nodded. “Yes, but not for the reason you probably think. I would love them either way. But will I be able to keep them safe if they are? Would it be better if Cooper was with another shifter?”
Shelby grasped her hand. “That’s where you’re lucky. You have awesome friends and family and will have an entire Pack that will have your back. Any children of yours would be treasured and looked after.”
Julie took a deep breath. She hoped Cooper’s people were as accepting as her friend.
“To answer your question, I’m not really sure. The wolf shifters haven’t discussed that with me. They are very protective about their kids. That is going to be a question for Cooper,” Shelby said.
Julie laughed. “If it doesn’t scare him away.”
“I think you and Cooper are pretty much on the same page when it comes to family. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”
Shelby’s phone rang before Julie could reply. She backed off to give her friend the opportunity to answer the call. Just the little time she’d spent talking to Shelby had helped her feel better. Julie knew she’d done the right thing confiding in her.
“Hello?” Shelby spoke into her cell.
Julie could only hear her part of the conversation but she didn’t miss the excitement in
Similar Books
