I couldn’t explain how I was able to know and find stuff humans couldn’t.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he mutters, eyes dilating with the same lust rising inside my body.
But there’s an underlying craving. Something I haven’t experienced and for the first time I’m itching to let go; to be brave and embrace another part of me this man has been able to awake inside me.
“Figor?”
“Ophelia.” The way he says my name is as if he’s stroking my very soul.
“I want to run,” I whisper.
Confusion washes over his face until realization sets in.
He cups the side of my face, appreciation and pride replacing a fragment of the lust in his eyes. “Now?”
“Yes, now. I feel it, I want it. I can’t describe it but there’s a feeling wanting to get out to see what lies before me. Tasting freedom and feeling complete enough to move on…I can’t…I don’t know how,” I croak.
He reaches out and feathers his fingertips against my temple. “Your soul is sure of your destination. Your body can absorb the dreams your heart craves.”
His hand falls away and is now setting over my heart.
“I will always be with you every step, every shape, every fucking second, through wind and rain, sunshine, or the fucking moon to howl at. Follow my lead. It’s your heart’s desire. The call of my inner wolf to yours. She’s there, Ophelia. Always has been and waiting for the perfect time to run free right beside her mate. No fear. Embrace. Face the pain. Unite as one and run free.”
His hand slides up and cups the back of my neck to pull me close, slamming his lips over mine to give me a passionate kiss.
Suddenly he pulls back, eyes a flaming blue when he growls and orders in a rumble demand, “Shift.”
A pull from deep inside my heart rips through me. As if he’s demanding me to submit to his order. Fear rips through me from the pain of my body colliding with the upcoming change.
My father tried to force me into shifting once, hoping it would trigger my guardian side but back then there wasn’t an urge to push through, only pain. Though the pain is somewhat less now and yet it’s there.
Figor shifts before my eyes. A fluid transition where you don’t have time to blink before his body is captured by a tornado of movement, too fast for the naked eye. A massive black wolf with clear blue, familiar eyes stares back at me.
I crash to my knees, pain assaulting my body.
“No fear. Embrace. Unite as one and run free.” Figor’s comforting words flow through my head.
Placing my hands on the floor, I brace myself and connect our gaze. His eyes soften. Adoration flows with warmth through my veins. The craving to run with him starts to swirl in my heart.
No fear.
Embrace.
I remind myself and take a deep breath. My eyes fall shut and instantly my body feels as if it’s being stung by millions of bees. A scream rips from my chest as it flows into a tormented howl. I can’t carry my own weight with the pain crashing through me and I fall to the floor.
The sound of soft whimpers has me fighting to open my eyes. Blinking a few times, I realize the pain has faded. My eyesight is sharper and the thick black nose nuzzling my face is one I adore.
Pushing myself up I instantly become aware of the full change when my hands are no longer skin but consist of thick white fur and nails, blue flames dancing over me. I shake myself from nose to tail and feel the strength and power flowing through my veins.
I want to run is the first thought hitting me full force.
Figor trots to the back door and pushes it open, staying in the doorway to look back at me. Without a thought I simply follow as he jumps into a run. My nails dig into the dirt and I push my body to let the trained muscles do their work.
Wind is rushing past me. My senses are sharp and extended. No fear. There’s an ultimate sense of control as I follow my mate through the long grass along the pastures of the ranch. He’s headed for the wide-open space up ahead and I feel the need to push my body harder.
My heart is beating fast but it’s not from the way I demand my body to work, but it’s from this moment right here where I’ve succeeded to embrace a part