by Jo Ellen
Stephanie covered her mouth to hide her giggle.
Doan glared at Devlin. “I’m over a thousand years old, proper decorum is expected and appreciated.”
Devlin’s eyes rolled, not at all upset with Doan hearing his comments.
Robert cleared his throat, getting everyone’s attention, but singling out Doan. “Amon attacked the Dragon Lord, threatened Stephanie, and wants to start a war with the human realm. He wants you back in Faery and needs to know if this was a simple act of jealously or if this was a planned attack by Amon.”
Doan nodded sharply. “Understood.” His body started to flicker out of existence.
“Wait!” Stephanie yelled.
Doan’s form coalesced back into solid form and he walked over to Stephanie to look down at her on the sofa.
She stood, uncomfortable with craning her neck back so far to see his face. Still, standing didn’t help a whole lot since her head only reached his chest.
Doan nodded to Colin who had stood up on his approach. “That was rude of me. I was in such a hurry to get home, my actions were very ill-mannered, forgive me once again.” He shook Colin’s hand. “Good to see you, old friend.”
“My mate, Stephanie.” Colin introduced her, pride shining in his eyes.
Doan lifted her hand, placing a kiss on the back, formally acknowledging Colin’s claim.
Wow, a dragon just kissed her hand. She couldn’t quite get over the surrealism of the moment. An amazingly handsome dragon at that, if only her friends could see her now.
“Stephanie, I am sorry to hear one of our dragons threatened you. That is not our nature. Women are cherished, protected and loved in my culture,” Doan said.
She almost melted in a pile of goo right there. He was like a knight of old, a fantasy come to life. But she had her own knight, her own protector standing next to her. While she could appreciate Doan’s deliciousness, Colin had her soul. She was stunned by her own revelation. She could appreciate the beautiful men around her, but she only wanted Colin. Mumbling something she was sure sounded totally stupid, she sat back down with Colin to hear Doan’s explanation.
“Girl, you are star struck,” Devlin whispered to her.
He was like an annoying little brother so she stuck her tongue out at him.
“I cannot tell you who bespelled me as I do not yet know who it was,” Doan said.
“My money is on a girlfriend. Dude, who did you piss off?” Devlin asked.
Doan starred at him, refusing to answer.
Rafe spoke to Doan. “Keep us informed and let us know what you find out. If there’s a confirmed threat to this realm, I need to know.” Rafe turned to Robert. “Let the Queen know I’ll double the patrol around the pond. If Amon intends to use the magic in the water, he’ll have to deal with me.”
Doan and Robert disappeared with assurances they would report back.
“Colin, one of your deputies left a vehicle here for you. I expect you’ll be wanting to take your mate home,” Rafe said.
“That I do. See you later,” he said as he tugged Stephanie towards the door. She was in the SUV and buckled up before she could blink.
* * *
Colin pulled up in front of his cabin and killed the engine before turning to look at his mate. “See how the logs sit on a pier and beam foundation? I could have had a concrete slab poured but with our soil here, this was the better choice.”
She looked at him like he was crazy. Why were they talking foundation selection? “Umm, interesting.” Humor him, she decided.
Fumbling with the door handle, she slid out and took in his home. It was bigger than she thought it’d be, with a peaked metal roof, which would be awesome when it rained. Well, maybe. Then again, if it hailed that would probably suck. Were metal roofs insulated against noise? She jumped a little when Colin put an arm around her.
“See Stephanie? No basement.” He was grinning.
She elbowed him in his stomach but not even a whiff of air left his mouth. “Jerk,” she muttered.
Scooping her up, he strode across the grass and up the few steps leading to his door. Glancing down at her with one eyebrow raised, he sighed. “It wouldn’t be as romantic if I shuffle you around to open the door myself.”
Oh, she got it now. Reaching for the knob, she turned it and he used their combined weight to push the door open.
He didn’t release her like she expected, instead he surveyed the room as if looking for imperfections.
“You can put me down now,” she murmured.
Glancing down, he gently sat her on her feet. “What do you think?”
What did she think? Oh my God! Obviously the doorway was a time capsule to the seventies. While the outside showed the beautiful stacked logs of a typical cabin, the interior was closed off with walls and doors leading in every direction.
Seeing an opening which she assumed was the kitchen, she headed that way while keeping silent until she could gather her thoughts.
Yeah, it was the kitchen, with honest-to-God brown appliances. They were probably advertised with some pretty name like ‘autumn leaves’ or something when they were new. As Colin slipped in behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, she tried to think of something kind to say.
“Um, it’s big.” Which was about the only good thing it had going for it.
She shivered when he nibbled her neck before raising his head and glancing around. “Stephanie, this is your home too now. Whatever you don’t like, we can change.”
Nibbling on her lower lip, she started calculating how much money she had in her savings. Not enough for a job this size, she knew. She wanted to knock out walls and make the kitchen and dining room open to the living room. Gut the kitchen, buy all new appliances, and add French doors leading to the back yard. All this and she hadn’t even seen the bathroom yet. She was a little bit scared as to what they looked like.
If he was a do it yourselfer, they could handle the work themselves and save a lot of money. Time to be brave and see how he felt about change. Lots and lots of change.
“Colin, do you particularly like the layout of your house?” She asked, delicately.
The confusion on his face prodded her to be blunt.
She took a deep breath. “I’d like to knock out some walls and completely remodel this kitchen, open the space up and bring it in to the twenty-first century with new appliances too.” She studied his face, reading his expression as it went from confused to happy. Hmm, that was not what she was expecting. Her breath whooshed out when he swung her around, laughing.
“We can work this place into whatever vision you see in that head of yours,” he said as he set her on her feet once again, still smiling.
“Why are you so happy about a remodel?” Now she was the confused one.
Pulling her in close, he hugged her tightly and rested his chin on top of her head. “You’re nesting, making plans for our future. You’ve accepted our mating and I no longer fear you leaving and going back to Dallas.”
Huh. The thought of going home for good hadn’t even entered her head. But she did need more clothes and some of her other things, so they were going to have to make some decisions about moving her life here. But not right now. She lifted her head and solemnly asked to see the rest of his house.
The hallway bath was as bad as she feared. Yellow tile on the shower wall, yellow toilet, yellow countertops. She moved on to the master bedroom, totally skipping the guest rooms. What was the point? She’d get to those at another time.
The master was huge, nice but she could see accordion doors across the room. Which meant no walk in closet.
Going over to a closed door, she gingerly reached for the knob, hoping to see a nicely updated bath. Nope, it was just as retro as the hallway bath only smaller. One sink, toilet, and a shower with no tub. This project would be a major money suck. She put a smile on her face before she turned to face him, hoping it didn’t look like a grimace.
“Nice.”
He burst ou
t laughing and flopped down on his bed, making the mattress shake.
She walked over and stared down at him, arms crossed with pursed lips. He was starting to piss her off.
Faster than a bolt of lightening, she found herself on her back with him hovering over her.
“Steph, I know this place needs updating, but it’s been fine since I was the only one living here. I don’t cook a lot, the diner makes great food so most of the time I eat there. The bathroom’s small but again, it’s only me in the morning getting ready. Like I said, now that I have a mate, we’ll change whatever you want.”
“You forgot the closet,” she mumbled.
He lifted his head and turned to look at the doors, one closed all the way and one slightly open. “What’s wrong with the closet? You can have it and I’ll use one in the guest bedroom.”
Every woman should have a walk in closet. It should be like a law or something, but she’d hit him with that later. “Nothing, it’s fine.”
He leaned closer, barely holding his body weight off of her before giving her a light kiss. “We’ll talk about this later, right now you’re in the one place I’ve wanted you to be since we met.”
She tugged at his T-shirt. “I want to see and feel you.” Not wanting to play coy, she watched as he sat up and pulled the material over his head in one quick move. Sliding off the bed, he was out of his jeans and back at her side in a nanosecond.
She blinked. Ask and ye shall receive.
He helped her remove her clothing, no hesitation, no questions. She was ready to become his mate and excited by the prospect of living her fantasy.
The heat from his body covered her, his chest a hard surface she could enjoy exploring to her hearts content. His lips on her breasts pulled her attention away from their future and back to the moment. Feeling his hand slide across her thigh, she awaited his touch and moaned when his fingers moved to just the right spot and slid softly over her. She needed more. Moving her hips in demand, she felt his quiet chuckle. Tugging his hair, she pulled him from her breast and pressed her mouth to his, their tongues dancing in rhythm. Moving slightly, she almost groaned when the hand giving her such enjoyment shifted and left her tingling, wanting more.
* * *
Colin tried to hold most of his weight off of her, but it was difficult since he wanted to cover her in his scent so that everyone knew she was undoubtedly his. Her skin was so smooth and silky that his lips simply couldn’t stay away from kissing every inch. Enjoying the sensations of each and every touch, his smile couldn’t be held back when he felt her impatience. Not wanting to rush his one and only true mating, he ignored her silent request for more by keeping himself just out of her reach. His cock disdained his plans of going slow, wanting to plow into her again and again. He gave in and pushed inside, groaning at the tight squeeze on his shaft. Fighting the urge to pump, he looked down at his mate to see her eyes closed with her head tilted back blissfully.
“Stephanie? I’m going to bite you right here.” He tapped a spot on her shoulder lightly.
“Do it,” she said through gritted teeth.
She clenched around him, which got him moving faster and faster. He felt her nails digging into his back the moment she came and he struck, sinking his canines into her shoulder. Relaxing, he licked her shoulder as his cock finished emptying inside her.
Her eyes were still closed as he wrapped his arms around her and flipped them, placing him on the bottom, still hard enough that he didn’t slip out.
Stephanie lay sprawled on his chest, breathing heavily.
“Sit up baby, you need to see this,” Colin said as he pushed on her shoulders.
“Don’t wanna,” she muttered against his skin.
He took her shoulders and pushed until she was up, slowing opening her eyes.
“Oh my God! What is that?” She exclaimed in awe.
Colin lay back with his arms crossed under his head. “It’s us. Our souls tying together and joining us as one.”
“It’s so pretty. It reminds me of the embers that fly around a camp fire,” she said as she watched the firelight show.
Colin knew the stories about what happened when you mated, but a story was nothing compared to the actual thing.
The lights danced around their bodies before slowing down and circling, almost as if tying them together before landing against their skin and vanishing.
“Cool.” She had no more words.
Her body jiggled when he laughed, although it quickly turned in to a moan of appreciation when she leaned forward to kiss him.
“Hi mate.” She smiled.
“Mine,” he growled.
* * *
Sitting at the big piece of oak he called a kitchen table, they devoured their sandwiches. He’d pulled his jeans on while she used his T-shirt as a short dress.
She cleared her throat. “So the bite marks me as your mate, but doesn’t change me physically.”
After taking a sip, he answered. “Well, it does change you somewhat. Any other shifter will recognize you as mine now. But when you’re ready, we can go down to the pond.”
Looking out the kitchen window, she couldn’t see much except that it was really dark. “What time is it?”
His phone lay on the table and he tapped the side button. “Almost 3 a.m. Why?”
She nibbled on her nail before blurting, “I want to go now.”
He stared at her intently. “Are you sure baby? This is what you want?”
Nodding adamantly. “Yes, it is. We’re mates, this is my life now.” Her eyes widened. “Oh God, I’m gonna be a shifter and I can’t tell my best friend.” She sniffed a little.
Colin scooted his chair closer and wrapped an arm around her. “I’m sorry, baby. Look at it this way, you’ve gotten married and moved away just like a normal human. We all make life changes and if she is a good a friend as you say, she’ll understand.”
Stephanie gave a small laugh. “The problem there is that you and I have known each other such a short time, but at least I know I’ll be convincing when I tell her I’ve found my soul mate.” She reached up to cup his cheek. “I love you Colin, and that trumps everything.”
He sucked in a surprised breath and covered the hand holding his cheek. “I love you too, baby. Don’t worry about your friend, she can still come and visit you. We do know how to behave around humans.” His dimples deepened with a smile.
Standing, he pulled her up with him. “Come on, it’s a short walk through the woods to the pond and I can’t wait to see your wolf.”
There was only a crescent moon, which didn’t provide much light but with Colin holding her hand and leading the way, she wasn’t worried about any beasties in the forest.
She was worried about the actual change though. “Does it hurt?”
He stopped to reassure her. “Not at all. You use magic to change and magic is natural. The most you’ll feel is a little tingling.”
She nodded and they moved along the trail until it opened up and she could see the water. The little bit of moon reflected on the surface showed a place of calm reflection as they stood staring at the pond.
“Strip.” Colin was almost out of his clothes already.
She looked around and only saw dark woods and the castle on the other side so she assumed her little bit of exhibitionism would go unnoticed.
Colin guided her into the water with a hand on her lower back before his hand slipped down and squeezed one butt cheek.
She squeaked and tossed a glare over her shoulder, which had him throwing his hands up while leering at her. She made sure her head was turned back so he couldn’t see the small smile on her face.
She felt a tingling on her skin an instant before a bunch of tiny colored lights sparkled around them. Like a warm bath with gentle bubbles massaging her skin, the change was both magical and comforting.
“I accept the wolf spirit,” she said. Having no idea how she knew to say that, she left the water and reached for her clothes, somewhat bemu
sed at how simple the process was.
Colin stopped her from dressing. “No clothes Stephanie, we’re going to run together.”
“Oh, okay.” She gulped audibly.
“Use your mind and find her, she’s inside you now,” he said.
She concentrated, picturing a wolf like the ones seen in wildlife parks and felt the magic surge through her system. A moment later she dropped to the ground with four paws planted firmly in the earth.
Feeling a nudge to her shoulder, she looked at the huge wolf standing next to her. It was Colin! She recognized his wolf and his scent.
“You’re beautiful.”
She plopped down on her butt, surprised at the voice in her head.
“Mates can communicate telepathically. I forgot to tell you that little tidbit.”
She snorted and took off running, knowing Colin would be with her. Once in the woods she stopped, her hackles rising. There were more wolves in the woods that she hadn’t seen when they had come through earlier. She understood now that they had always been watching but had stayed hidden from her. Her wolf couldn’t care less but if Stephanie were in human form, her entire body would be red with embarrassment knowing they had watched her walk naked into and out of the pond.
“So mate, these wolves got a ring side seat to my first skinny dipping escapade, didn’t they?”
“They’re protectors. Of the pond and our pack. Nudity is as natural as breathing.”
Even as a wolf her snort was well understood.
A huge brown wolf blocked the trail in front of her with almost identical looking wolves on either side. His stance was regal and proud as he stood watching their approach.
Stephanie knew instinctively that this was Rafe, their alpha, with his brothers Ian and Devlin flanking him. Her wolf had no desire whatsoever to challenge him and her human self was in total agreement. Dropping her eyes, she lowered her head, acknowledging his status as her alpha. Rafe gave a slight nod and took off with his pack following.
