Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,38

of her. It had been nothing short of torture. Her scent had filled the car, and there had been something else lingering in the vehicle.

Poppy’s desire for him.

She was battling herself. That much was clear, and he couldn’t say that he blamed her. But he hadn’t known she was a Cain. Had he realized, he would have come clean and told Poppy everything. All he could do now was hope that the secluded cabin would give them the chance to get to know each other better.

If they got to a point where they could be physical? Well, then he wouldn’t complain.

And maybe, just maybe, it would shut his tiger up. The animal was roaring for their mate, begging Shaw to throw her over his shoulder, drag her into the cabin, lay her out on the bed and have his way with her.

But that wasn’t practical. The first time he was going to be with his mate, it would mean something. It wouldn’t be while she was suspicious of him and still mad. Their relationship—nonexistent as it was—deserved more than that.

“Whoa. This is some horror movie looking setting,” Poppy said in a small voice beside him. “You didn’t bring me out here to kill me, did you?” she joked.

Shaw shook his head before running out of the car and going over to her side to open her door. She took his hand as he helped her out.

“I wouldn’t dream of killing you,” he said, leading her toward the cabin. “This was my Pops’ place. I tried to get him to install electricity and stuff when I was a little kid, but he refused. He said this was his place away from the world, and he wanted to keep it that way. Nana could sell it, but she wouldn’t get much for it. Not enough to make up for the sentimentality that comes with it. I think she likes to pretend that Pops isn’t dead, but he’s here fishing and hunting to his heart’s desire.”

“It’s sweet, in a really sad way,” Poppy whispered, scared of ruining the sacred feeling that hung on the aged wooden walls.

“I guess you’re right. I think that if they had been shifters, they would have been mates. They really were meant to be together. They were always so loving and kind.”

“I can see how that kind of love is irreplaceable. Why Nana chose to stay alone all of these years.”

It didn’t take them long to bring their bags inside of the cabin and settle in. One of the reasons why they had chosen that particular hideout spot was for Shaw to have a safe place to have his first shift, so they made their way outside and walked deep into the woods, lining a small clearing that was perfect for hunting deer. They stuck to woods, knowing that it was best to stay in the relative safety of the trees. It would definitely stop any possible passerby from seeing a grown man turning into an animal.

The temperature was cooler out of the late afternoon sun, but it didn’t bother him as much as it had before. He was quickly learning that his shifter body ran hot. Not just physically appealing, but it seemed impossible for him to get cold.

Poppy seemed to be enjoying their trek through nature. “I think this is a good spot to try,” she said as she turned around, her arms spread wide. “Do you smell the air? It’s so much better than city pollution.”

“I can honestly say I never noticed the bad smell of air until I became a shifter. This is nice. Much better.” He gave her a warm smile. “Shall we do this?”

Poppy nodded and took a few steps back and away from him. “I’ve never trained someone through their first shift, so this should be interesting.”

“Do you have any idea what kind of animal could be inside of me? I know I have a tiger, but I was filled up with all kinds of things, right?”

“Well, Bennett took that serum, and he has a tiger and a wolf. But there are more animals in there. I think there’s some lion, but we can’t be sure. They’ve messed with it too many times, I think.”

“So, I could be something like a boar?”

Poppy laughed. “No, Shaw. You’re not going to turn into a pig. But thanks for that visual. You’ll either be a big cat or a big canine. But I don’t think that the kind of animal you have inside of