Deer Born Page 6
“That’s understandable.” Although she wanted to hate him and wanted to blame him for her parents’ death, she couldn’t. Just like when she’d admitted to Barrett that she didn’t want Samson to face any legal consequences, she found herself feeling sorry for him. He’d lost his childhood and life as surely as she had. If anything, she’d had a better upbringing than him. Barrett had found her, and she’d fallen into her new family. One she loved and who loved her as a sister regardless of the lack of blood relationship. Samson had only had his parents, and then when they were gone, no one.
“I don’t know how it was I found you that night, but I am glad I did.”
Bambi’s cheeks burned red. “Oh. Yeah. That. I think I might know the reason for that.”
Samson tilted his head to one side.
“Magic. Or fate. Whichever you want to attribute it to.” She gave a quick summary of her trip to the witch and taking the potion.
He flinched away. “More magic. I think I’ve had more than enough magic for my lifetime.”
Bambi gave a wry smile. “For some of us, it’s not a choice we get to make.”
“So deers, werewolves . . . What other animals might be people?”
She shrugged. “Bears. Birds. Pretty much anything you can think of.”
His face paled further than it had been in the entire time she’d known him. “No wonder you’re a vegetarian.”
“That’s also personal taste preference. The family who adopted me aren’t vegetarians.”
“I think I’ll be vegetarian from now onward. Hunting is a risk I can’t take anymore.”
“Well, I for one am glad about that because it means I don’t have to worry if I want to go out into the forest for a run.”
“I really am sorry for what happened with your parents. And with you.”
“Me too. At least I have answers now though, I guess. I always wanted to know why they’d left me.”
Samson stared at his hands, and Bambi felt a desire to alleviate his guilt even though she owed him nothing of the sort. She placed her hand over his, silently communicating the things she couldn’t otherwise say.
Before long, Barrett made his way back into the house, and Samson gave his excuses to leave. Bambi didn’t know if she’d see him again, or whether she would ever feel safe in the forest again. Ultimately though, her question was answered, and maybe now, life could return to normal.
Or as normal as it could be living as an exotic dancer who happened to be a deer-shifter.
THE END
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