We shift back to human form. I grab the shorts while Ava takes the shirt. Once dressed, I look down at her fidgeting with the shirt hem, clearly nervous.

"Ava, can I ask you something?"

She looks up, nodding.

"Will you let me prove I'm one of the good guys? I want to show you not all mates are like your dad."

Ava stares at me. "Leo, I can't promise anything. I've seen what mate rejection does to people. But I've also been through stuff... ...