"I know. But what if I'm different? What if it hurts?"
"It won't. Trust me."
In the end, she did. As she followed him outside onto his patio, she couldn't help that her knees shook. "What if someone sees me take off my clothes?"
"My patio is fenced, baby. The gate is open and we'll be able to come in and out without anyone seeing us naked. And if they did, nobody would think a thing of it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Nakedness isn't a big deal here among the Pack and the mates. As the months and years go by, it will bother you less and less to strip and shift, until you're completely comfortable. Think of the Pack as your family."
"I wouldn't strip in front of my dad," she said, deadpan. "And he's family."
He laughed, amusement lighting his blue eyes. "All I can say is that it's different here. You'll understand it eventually."
"Okay." She blew out a breath. "What do I do now?"
"Strip. Then, like before, concentrate on your wolf. Feel her, and let her take over."
"I won't lose who I am, right? I mean, I'll still be me?"
"Exactly. You're you, the same intelligent being, even in that form. Your senses will be sharper, much more so than a real wolf's, and you'll feel her predatory instincts come to the fore, but you'll be able to control them. Your decisions will be conscious ones."
That was a relief to hear, especially since this would be only her second time in wolf form. Before, she'd been blindsided. Shocked, afraid, and upset. Today would be different, with Ryon by her side.
"I'm ready." She hoped that came across as confident.
Ryon pushed down his shorts and stepped out of them. Then the change flowed over his body, and in seconds his silver wolf was standing there, waiting. His voice came through their mental link.
I got better with practice, but the shift never happened for me as quickly or easily until you came into my life.
"Thanks," she said, pleased by the compliment.
Your turn. Just focus on your wolf. Let her free.
"Okay."
She got rid of her clothes and laid them on a patio chair. Then she concentrated, almost laughing when she found her wolf dancing in excitement like a pup. It was strange how they were different, yet one.
When the shift happened, it was so fast she barely had time to gasp in surprise before her limbs were reshaping, her human body giving way to the she-wolf. Suddenly she was standing on all fours, tail wagging.
It didn't hurt!
Told you it wouldn't, he said smugly.
The shift happened so fast! Is that normal?
It's not the same for everyone. Like I said, I was always a bit slow. Walking over, he nosed her side. Try to walk, baby.
She wasn't too steady on her feet last time. But now she was definitely stronger, her legs moving as they should. It was weird that she knew what to do with four feet, and that she didn't fall. I'm doing it!
That you are. Ready to venture out?
You bet.
Side by side, they walked across the lawn. At the far edge he led her into the trees via a well-worn path. For a while they simply enjoyed each other's company as she sniffed the air, taking in the scents all around. Some were familiar, like the plants and earth she was used to while camping. They were sharper, though, like a lens brought into high-def focus. Others were strange, gamey, and she wondered if they belonged to the wildlife she'd studied. It was neat to have the added senses giving her a clearer picture of what she'd known all her life.
After a half hour of walking, he broke into a lope. Think you can handle this?
She copied his movement, keeping up with him. Easy!
In her head, he laughed, but not in a mocking way. He sounded proud. Gradually, he increased their speed until they were running. Flying through the forest, the wind in their faces. His happy laugh echoed in her brain and joy rushed through her soul. This was freedom. Not the artificial trappings of man, the illusion of freedom that humans sold on a daily basis when hawking fine possessions and fancy vacations.
This was the real thing. She'd gladly remain out here with her mate forever. If they had no Pack, no responsibilities. No jobs to do. No people to protect.
She was so lost in the pleasure of their run, she almost ran right into Ryon's backside as he skidded to a halt. Barely missing him, she regained her balance and froze at the ominous rumble coming from his chest.
Ryon?
Stay back, baby.
Peering around him, she froze. On the trail ahead was the white wolf. That's her! She's the one who pushed me into the ravine.
His growl deepened as he glared at the other wolf, advancing slowly. What are you doing here? he demanded. What do you want?
The wolf merely lowered her head, a sign of submission. But if she offered an answer, Daria couldn't hear. Ryon bared his teeth, but the intruder didn't retreat, or seem afraid. She showed deference, keeping her posture small and nonthreatening as she turned. Then she glanced over her shoulder, took a few steps, and stopped expectantly.
She wants us to follow. Just like she did when she led me to you, Ryon told Daria.
Should we? Her worry sang along their bond, but her mate didn't echo it.
I think we should. She knows something, and I want to find out what.
Daria didn't necessarily agree that they should follow without a couple of other Pack members present. She wasn't sure she'd be much help in a fight, if it came to that. Still, she went with her mate, trailing him through the brush. They hadn't been following the wolf for long when she went still, and crouched low, staring into the trees with a soft whine.
Moving close to her, she and Ryon did the same, studying the dense forest ahead. Her mate was intent, nose sniffing the air.
Do you smell that?
She took a few whiffs. It's like something . . . dirty. Like an unwashed body.
Exactly. Do you see something over there? Look through those two trees.
At first, she didn't see anything. She was just about to tell him so when she caught a movement. A glimpse of something moving, so far ahead, so hidden it was hard to see. It moved again-and sat up.
From this distance, she could tell it was a human man. She couldn't make out his features, but his hair was shaggy, longish. It might have been brown, but that could've been filth.
Trembling started deep inside her, and she started to shake, but she wasn't sure why.
Could he be a victim? she asked her mate. A lost camper?
Maybe.
Then suddenly, horrifyingly, that question was put to rest. The man stood, naked. His head tilted back and he let out a bloodcurdling scream that caused the birds to take flight and made Daria jump. Then the scream became a roar. The deafening screech of a monster as the man's form changed. Enlarged to an astonishing breadth and height.
He appeared very much like Nick's drawing-just before he became translucent, all but vanishing.
Oh my God! That's the beast you're after!
Ryon flattened himself low to the ground. Goddamn. I've never seen anything like that in my life. We tried to catch him the other day, but we didn't see him like that, as a man.
The beast swung its head in their direction, and they held still, barely daring to breathe. They weren't equipped to take him on, and if he came after them, she wasn't sure whether she could outrun him. But luck was on their side. After a moment, the creature huffed and stomped in the opposite direction. The three of them waited a very long while, making sure he was gone before they rose from their hiding place.
Before Ryon could question the white wolf again, she bounded into the forest without looking back. Daria felt her mate's frustration at not getting answers from the elusive wolf, but they had bigger worries at the moment.
We need to get back, he urged. Before that thing returns.
There was something that seemed familiar about him-the man, I mean, before he changed.
He tensed at that. How so?
Not sure. Something about his scent seemed like I should know it.
Her mate's displeasure at that came through their bond loud and clear. She couldn't help what she'd noticed, and she couldn't understand why he'd be upset. But as they ran back to the compound, he grew more and more unsettled.
At last they made it onto his patio, and shifted. The change was much easier this time, and she figured she was over the hump and on her way to mastering her wolf. But her biggest concern was Ryon, who stalked into his quarters and waited, regarding her with his lips pressed together, blue eyes snapping.
"What the heck is wrong with you?" Crossing her arms over her breasts, she did her best to ignore the fact that they were having a serious discussion while naked. Probably wouldn't be the last time.
"What was familiar about that man?" His voice was cool.
"I don't know," she said, frustrated. "There was something underneath his odor, more than just a man who needed a bath. He smelled like . . . Obsession."
"What?" He blinked at her.
"Obsession for men. You know, that cologne that's been around forever. It was faint, but there. It's funny, I only knew one man who ever wore it-"
Instantly, she cut off that thought. It wasn't possible, so she refused to think it. But Ryon latched on to her words like a snapping turtle.
"What man wore it? Tell me."
"Ryon-"
"Who?"
She sighed. "Fine. My former fiance used to wear it all the time. Happy?"
"No. I'm not thrilled that some man in the woods who's been turned into a murderous beast reminds you of your former lover," he growled.
"It's not like I can help how the guy smelled, for Christ's sake! I can't help it that the man's build even resembled Ben's . . . Shit."
Now her mate was pissed. She hadn't done anything wrong, but at the mention of another lover, even a past one, he was going all alpha on her. It was annoying as hell.
And it was also a huge turn-on.
Ryon stalked her, pressing her against the glass patio door. "You remember how he smells? Not for long. Because I'm gonna fuck you, mark you with my scent until there's nothing left in your memory but me."
"Ryon," she whispered.
He claimed her mouth, kissed her senseless, tongue exploring. Tasting. Then he picked her up and carried her into his bedroom, where he proceeded to make good on his delicious threat.
. . .
Daria, his mate, recalled Ben's scent? His naked form?
Fuck that. Not for long.
Pulling her onto the bed, he tucked her into his side. The soft roundness of her breasts nestled against his arm, and he hardened, his length pressing into her thigh. She laid a hand on his bare chest, smoothing her palm over his pecs, the taut nipples. She journeyed to the curve of his jaw, stroked his face. One dainty finger found his lips, traced them as though she was remembering his kisses, perhaps thinking of savoring more.
His pulse quickened as she explored at will, and went a long way toward soothing his jealous wolf. Not to mention those lovely brown eyes shining with passion, just for him. She combed her fingers through his hair, sending exquisite little tendrils of pleasure down his spine, radiating to his fingers and toes. Heat surged between his legs, his arousal brushing her belly. He groaned, and Daria purred in his ear.
"Like that, do you?"
His body hummed beneath her hands. "Oh, yeah."
"That's good, because I really want to continue."
Before he could form an answer, her lips captured his. Gentle, urging. Her tongue found his, rasping. She sucked the breath from his lungs, the reason from his brain. He loved the taste of her, the wonderful feeling of her lithe form sprawled across him. Tender kisses nibbled his jaw, the base of his throat, and his chest. Her hot tongue worked its magic, circling each nipple in turn, teeth grazing them.
He had planned to be the one in charge, but he liked this. A lot.
She slid down his body, palm skimming his stomach as her tongue blazed a fiery path to his navel. Her hand dipped lower, fingers lightly stroking the hard ridge of his erection, and he nearly came undone.