by Jo Larue
It was Sylas who answered her after glancing at his watch. “It was about midnight when I went to bed last night baby. I bit you around one. It’s about noon now. Usually, your eyes glow bright for the first hour and then they noticeably fade over time until there is just a small spark of light that eventually disappears. Right now, your eyes are as bright as mine and they are showing no sign of fading after approximately… um, 11 hours.”
Sylas held her hand while relaying the news and now she had a very tight grip on his.
“Do you think…?” Chance was at a loss. She was excited and scared all at the same time. She sure as hell didn’t want to jinx it. Sylas squeezed her hand, watching as the emotions warred over her face. She looked down, afraid to see what he was feeling and finally whispered her thoughts out loud.
“Could it have been the dream? Did I change things with it? Sylas, could it really be happening this time?”
“The only way to be sure is to wait until later to see if anything has changed. In the meantime, we need to train more. Jack and I also want to walk you through the shift process. Even though you still are technically human, you need to know what to do when the time comes in case I’m not with you.”
Chance gasped at his words.
“What do you mean if you’re not with me?” She was getting upset now and she stood to pace. It was Jack who stopped her this time.
“Chance, he is only talking about the worst case scenario. If this goes bad, we need to know you will be okay. Both of us agreed on this. We can’t let you go through this blind, especially if neither of us can be with you. Please relax little Thomasina. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”
Chance collapsed in her chair and then giggled, her nerves getting the best of her. “You just called me Thomasina. I really feel like I’m part of a family now.”
Sylas kissed her and Jack chuckled at her confession. “You’ve been part of us since the day we met you, Sugar. You’ll always have a family, if you can stand us that long.”
Sylas huffed.
“Speak for yourself, Jack. Now let’s change and go train, baby. I've got plans for us later.” He winked and they left to change, leaving Jack still laughing at their backs.
Chapter 35
Dakota watched in the distance as the other wolf was tranquilized and carted off. He recognized the Beta's voice among those taking him away. He followed at a distance in the chance they would take him to the wolf den. When they arrived at what appeared to be a cabin and Craven joined them, he knew this was where he needed to be for now. It bothered him that they were so close to the build site. He backed off a few miles and made a quick call.
With his arrangements made, Dakota settled in to keep watch. The plans he made previously had to be modified. The man he spoke to on the other end of his call would guard her property. He would stay here between the two, so he could be at either within minutes. He wanted to avoid patrols, so he shifted and shimmied up a tall tree to wait.
Morning rolled around without much excitement. He saw a patrol off in the distance, but they never came close enough to catch his scent. Dakota decided to use the daylight to catch a quick nap up in his tree. After a couple of hours he heard talking off in the distance. It was two patrols passing by each other. It was another close call but neither of them came near his spot. He made another call to check in and settled in for more waiting.
* * * *
Jack couldn't believe Chance's eyes were still glowing. It was up to 18 hours now and they were just as bright as when she woke up at noon. He was waiting on them to get out of the shower from their workout so they could talk her through the art of shifting. He hoped they would be around for her first shift, but after what he'd been through, he wasn't taking anything for granted. She would be the first human in their long history to change into an immortal. It was instinctual with born shifters and Sylas was made as a full grown adult. Chance needed all the instruction she could get before the time came.
Chance was already showing abilities that other shifters didn't have. She could project her thoughts to Sylas and she could smell his scent. She could match Sylas blow for blow in training, and that was something even Jack couldn’t claim. In all the years together, he never could keep up with the man, but that's as it should be. Jack was never jealous of Sylas. He respected him and loved him as a brother. There was nothing he wouldn't do for him, including keeping his future mate safe.
Sylas and Chance finally joined him at the table and he fed them a quick meal. Jack wanted a beer but he needed to be sober for this. They didn't need for her to get misinformation or get any more confused than she already was. He also needed to make a quick trip into town once they were finished. He needed clothes and a few other items that Chance didn't have available.
Chance spoke up first. “Sylas said earlier you two want to train me in the basics of shifting. How can you do it without my change in place?”
“We can help you visualize the change and what should happen when the time comes. By the way Chance, your eyes have not dimmed and it’s been over 18 hours. The sooner the better for this talk.”
Sylas spoke next, “Baby, you will have many animal choices to pick and choose from. I want your promise you will stick to four feet until I can coach you through the flying process, okay, love?”
Chance nodded and he gave the same to Jack so he could begin.
“Chance, I want you to close your eyes and see your inner cat. You will not feel her presence until you're immortal, but Sy told me you've dreamed about her on many occasions.”
When her eyes closed, he continued. “It's not painful to shift. It can be uncomfortable the first time, but not painful. You’ll need to allow your cat to take over your mind and body. Giving control of your mind can make you anxious. Now I want you to relax. Breathe in and out slowly. Let every muscle go slack and clear your mind.”
Jack waited until he saw her shoulders slump a little. When she was almost in a trance like state, he continued again, “Visualize your cat, Chance. Feel her muscles and her heartbeat. She will speak to you and ask permission to take over. When the time comes, you will feel your consciousness being nudged aside. You'll still be there and will know all that is happening around you. Just know that she has as much invested in you as you do. If she loses you, she loses herself. Trust in her and you'll be able to give her control.”
Chance suddenly gasped and turned pale. Sylas jumped to her side within seconds.
“What is it, baby?”
She stayed silent and unmoving, but as they watched, Chance started to smile and her skin turned a healthy color again.
“Chance, I need for you to let me know what's happening. Please, baby, talk to me.”
She slowly lifted her hand and touched Sylas' face, but didn't open her eyes or speak.
Jack turned to Sylas with a question on the tip of his tongue when he saw his eyes glass over. “Okay, both of you are starting to spook this old man. Someone please tell me what the hell is going on!”
Sylas must have heard him because he shook his head before looking up at Jack.
“Jack, you're not going to believe this. Hell, I don't believe it and I just saw it. Chance is communing with her cat. She can see and talk to her. Her cat is in control for the moment. She's been talking to me through Chance. She touched my face just now. She told me she has waited centuries to tell me she loves me. She wanted me to know that the change would happen very soon. It was her love for my cat and I that led her to pick Chance as my mate. She collaborated with my mother when they chose Chance, as a team.”
Chance came out of her trance and looked up at Sylas with tears in her eyes.
“She may have chosen me as your mate, but she's not the reason I fell in love with you. I did that all on my own. She never influenced my feelings for you, and I do love you, Sylas, with all my heart. Our leopards are soul mates that have waited hundreds of years for each other. Now our human halves have found each other, making our combi
ned souls complete.”
Jack cleared his throat to remind them that he was still sitting there.
“I see this lesson's over now.” He chuckled and shook his head.
“You never cease to amaze me, Chance. I don't think you'll have any problems relinquishing control since you’ve already done so, and while you are still human-ish!” They all started laughing, effectively releasing the tension permeating the air.
Jack finally remembered his chores and asked, “I need to make a store run. You two need anything while I'm out?”
Jack heard Chance clear her throat and he turned to look at her.
“I have one last confession to make before you go, Jack. I wanted to talk about this the other night, but it seems I was distracted.” Chance giggled and looked sideways at Sylas.
“This is probably not news to either of you, but do you remember when I said I was permanently unemployed?” She waited until they both nodded.
“I am unemployed because I will never need to work, and that is because I am apparently very lucky and not just in my choice of friends.”
They looked at her with confusion. Sylas piped up first, “What are you trying to tell us exactly?”
“You remember that rather large lotto from a few months back that had only one winner and topped nearly $400 million?”
Chance grinned and pointed towards herself, then reached in her pocket and handed Jack her black American Express card. “Whatever you need… just get it, okay?”
Jack whistled and looked at her, stunned. Sylas could only chuckle. “We knew you were spending a lot of cash, babe, but now everything makes more sense. Jack and I are not exactly poor either. Since we’ve both lived over 500 years, we’ve built up really nice bank accounts ourselves.”
In synchronized fashion, they both reached into their wallets and showed her their own black cards.
Jack handed her card back, laughing at the shocked expression on her face. “Actually, I built my account up. Your man over there gets an allowance from his parents, but he never spends any of it.”
“Never had a reason until lately,” Sylas said winking and reaching over to hug Chance.
“Time to get my show on the road. Have fun while I am out!” Jack said still laughing.
“Jack, can you hold up a minute? I want to talk to you first.” Sylas squeezed the hand of the woman he loved and then walked with Jack outside.
* * * *
Sylas waited until he knew they were out of earshot of the motor home. He turned to Jack with a grin from ear to ear. “She is ready Jack. Something rotten is in the air and I don’t want her first time to be rushed or ruined by this madman. She deserves her first time to be filled with love and not anger. Do you mind staying here and keeping the place on lockdown while I take her away from here, some place special to create a good memory?”
Jack’s face was plastered with that crooked smile he used when he was in conspirator mode. “You go get the two of you dressed for hiking. I will hide the necessities in the Jeep. Tell her I decided to wait until later and I suggested you show her Cloudland Canyon since we are here.”
“Thanks a million, Jack. Owe you big time for this!” Sylas felt like he was walking a tightrope with the bad guys on both sides trying to push him off, but for once he didn’t care. This was for his girl and he was going to do at least one thing right for her.
He walked inside and took Chance by the hand, guiding her to their room in the back. When they got there, he pulled her to him and breathed her in.
“Jack changed his mind about making a store run, baby. How would you like to do a small side trip with me to see the canyon? I’ve never been but Jack has and he said it is something we should see. Besides, I think we both could use the break to get away from all this, even if it is only for a few hours.”
Chance smiled and nodded. “I think it’ll be fun, Sylas. Do we need to change?”
“Maybe some sensible shoes, babe. Your boots are not the best for climbing.” He swatted her behind when she turned to find her tennis shoes and she gave him a proper squeal for his efforts.
Chapter 36
Sylas drove the Jeep to the canyon but stayed out of the park since it would be dark soon and the park closed the gates at 10pm. He drove in as far he could without drawing attention of any forest rangers. When they got out, Sylas went to the back and found a picnic basket full of snacks and a blanket stuffed between the handles. Leave it to Jack to think of everything, he thought chuckling to himself. Chance looked at him and raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything.
Hand in hand, they headed down into the canyon, wanting to get towards the bottom before it got too dark. Not that it mattered, since they could both see perfectly no matter the time of day. An hour later and they found a perfect spot near one of the waterfalls. The view was spectacular. The sun was starting to set beyond the walls of the canyon causing the light to streak across the sky. There were woods right behind them and a large open area to set the picnic out on. The forest was full of animal and bird sounds and the air was crisp, smelling of fresh pine.
Sylas opened the blanket and spread it out and moved the basket to one side. He opened it and took out an array of cheeses, meats, and crackers. He found two wineglasses and a chilled bottle of light Chardonnay. Jack even remembered to include a cork wine opener. Sylas opened the bottle and poured them both a glass. Turning to Chance, he smiled and handed her one.
“A toast to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I love you now and forever, Chance Cadens. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. This is for day one of forever.”
Chance gasped, suddenly understanding his meaning of day one. She quickly touched her glass to his and took a swallow. Sylas could tell she was nervous and excited by the look on her face.
“Are you saying what I think you are, Sylas?”
“Chance, you have been through so much and I want for you to have a special memory to wipe out all the bad ones. My love for you comes from the depths of my soul and beyond. I think it’s time to make a certain dream become reality.”
Sylas took her glass and placed it along side his on the basket lid. He stepped closer to her and pulled her in for a world-shattering kiss. He reached back and pulled her braid slightly, exposing her neck. His kisses rained down her neck like gentle droplets. He savored every one of them. She tasted like honey and wine and he could not get enough. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, moaning her pleasure.
Sylas leaned back and pulled the braid around so he could pull the silky strands loose. Running his fingers through it, waves cascaded over them both as the strands came free of their bonds.
“I love your hair, baby. Please don’t ever cut it or change it. It is one of many things that are perfect about you.” Chance sighed as he ran his fingers up to her scalp, tangling them there on purpose.
The last of the daylight faded from the sky while he kissed her again. He needed to feel her skin against his and so he began to pull up her shirt. She stepped back to let him pull it over her head. She was not wearing a bra as usual and her nipples were standing erect, waiting to be nibbled on. He pulled his t-shirt off and pulled her back into him, relishing the feel of her against him.
Chance’s hands were roaming his back and one found its way down to cup his ass, pulling his erection into her. She was grinding her hips into him as if she was dancing and he soon he found he was matching her rhythm. He wasn’t sure what song was playing in her mind until he felt her in his head. It was the song he sang to her first, On the Dock of the Bay, and they danced as he sang along once again.
When the song ended, Sylas pulled her down to her knees to the blanket and then gently laid her back so he could roam her body some more. He suckled and kissed each nipple in turn before moving down to her navel. His tongue circled the crystal in her navel before moving lower. Sylas reached down and pulled her shoes off and then used his teeth to pull down her zipper. His tongue was everywhere, tasting her essen
ce and sweetness. As expected, she was commando under her pants and he could smell her arousal as he tugged them down and off. Every time he touched her, he could hear her moans in his mind.
Chance was mentally telling him what she wanted and where. He took his time, teasing her with his hands and tongue, running them up and down her thighs. He found all the spots that spiked her need. Deciding he could wait no longer he dove into her honey pot with his tongue and she was dripping and ready for more. He lapped up every drop and teased her for more. His tongue sucked her nub, readying her for him. Sylas finally let her come and the sound of it in his head was more than his beast could take.
Sylas was shaking, fighting the need to shift and let his cat take over. Not yet! This is my time! You will have yours soon, he told the beast. Chance sat up and reached for him. She could sense the war happening in his head. Her hands found his zipper and she helped him remove his jeans.
