Running into a winged lion shifter was never in Mitch's plans. But Bluebird Valley Preserve has more surprises in store, including wildlife and shifters, most of whom Mitch never knew existed. As a caracal shifter, Mitch is used to oddities. The chaos, he can handle. Calix, the saber-toothed cat, is what knocks him off balance.<br><br>Calix is a vet and a physician. Great in theory ... except he can only diagnose, not heal. Still grieving, he vows to protect his heart from another crushing blow. Then, he saves a caracal shifter from the flood waters. When he sees Mitch, he struggles with leaving the past behind and making a future for himself which includes Mitch.<br><br>Raging waters and mudslides threaten, leaving the whole preserve at risk. Mitch puts his life on the line to rescue Calix. But, it's Calix's heart Mitch finds the most challenging and worthwhile to win.

Mitch

He released his death grip on the fox and collapsed to the earth, totally spent. He sucked in air, or tried to. Breathing became a struggle after the amount of water he’d inadvertently swallowed along the way.


Something hard smacked him on the side. He opened his eyes to see a tall man standing over him, or at least his bare feet and legs. Coughing and sputtering, he finally spit out a mouthful of water mixed with fox hair.


Mitch winced at another sturdy hit from the man’s hand. Immediately, he shifted back to his human form, uncaring of his nude state. “Where’s a hippo shifter when you need one?” Mitch grumbled breathlessly. He gulped in much needed oxygen and slowly managed to sit up.


The little fennec fox snuggled onto his lap.


Automatically, he petted the small head. “That was too close, buddy.”


“Hippos are mean.” The shifter paused for a second. “You okay?”


Chapter 24