by Kallie Frost
Rion reached across the table and held my hand in his. “I love you, Elliott.” I was too stunned to reply. “I know that we haven't known each other for very long, but believe me when I say I love you. Maybe, it would be more accurate to say I'm falling in love with you, and my feelings for you will only continue to grow as we spend time together.”
I wanted to argue, somehow say that it was too soon, too fast. But all I wanted to do was tell him that I felt the same way. I really was falling in love with him.
“Here's the deal,” he said. “In three days we can either start the rest of our lives together, and if it doesn't work… we’ll figure it out from there. But if we don't even get a chance, then we’ll lose each other forever and we’ll never know. Besides, I guess you don't have to decide tonight. We can take a couple of days to… date? And get to know each other better?”
“Yeah. I guess I do have a little time to think it over. Now that dinner’s over… do you want to watch a movie?”
“A movie?” he asked in surprise. “In order to get to know each other?”
“Just for tonight,” I said. “I think I need at least a little time to think about all of this and let it sink in. Then I'll try to get to know you.”
“Okay, then.” he sounded eager, hopeful. “Let's do that.”
So, we sat down on the couch and flipped through some channels until we found a movie, and started watching. At first I felt like it was a little awkward sitting there with him, unlike all of the other times we watched movies together. It seemed like being true mates really made a difference because it wasn't long before I felt myself relaxing. I thought that he was inching closer to me as the movie went on, before I noticed that we were both a little further from the ends of the couch than we had been; as if we were subconsciously drifting toward each other.
I tried to focus on the movie and ignore what was going on around me, and thought that I was doing quite well, until the movie ended, and I realized that his arm was around me and my head was resting on his shoulder. When had that happened? And why did I feel so completely blissful?
Instead of pulling away I didn't want the moment to end, so I reached for the remote and said softly, “Want to watch something else?”
“I’d love to.”
Maybe it was the way he said it, but I thought of his earlier declaration. He looked down at me, putting us nose to nose. I couldn’t fight it anymore. I kissed him.
It was the best kiss I ever experienced, and we were just sitting there with our lips pressed shyly together. He moved slowly, almost as if he didn't want to scare me, and raised a hand to stroke my cheek. I leaned into his featherlight touch, as his fingers trailed down to my neck. They brushed across the spot where it hurt, the place where he told me we would mark each other, whatever that meant, and the sensation became electric. It was like an actual jolt of pleasure that spiked from my neck throughout the rest of my body. I went from maybe a little bit horny, to holy-crap-fuck-me, in the span of a second. Every inch of me wanted him, needed him, and even loved him.
“What was…”
He smiled in answer and leaned forward to press a kiss against the same spot. This time I was ready for the pleasure, but it was still almost overwhelming.
“Will it always be like that? When you touch me there?”
“After it’s marked it will be different, but yes, it will always be pleasurable.”
His mouth was mere inches from mine and I couldn’t resist; I kissed him. He eagerly kissed me back, this time opening his mouth to me. He tasted of spices and pine. I inhaled, taking in the same flavors in his scent. He gently pushed me down onto the couch, hands running over my body.
I was tempted to protest, I didn’t do one-night stands. But this wouldn't be a one-night stand, would it? If I agreed to be turned this was the man I would be spending the rest of my life with. And it already felt so incredible I knew that even if I said no to being turned, this was very likely to happen several more times over the course of three days.
I tugged at Rion’s shirt and he broke the kiss, just long enough to pull his shirt over his head and toss it away. I ran my hands over the bare skin of his chest and down to his stomach, drawing a moan as my fingers tickled across him. I deftly flipped open the snap of his jeans and began to undo the zipper, looking up to catch his eye.
The hungry expression on his face made my breath hitch. Even if I had never seen him as a wolf, I would have drawn the canine comparison. He looked every inch a hungry predator. A shiver ran up my spine, knowing I was the prey and yet… I liked it. Then again, I seemed to be the one in control at the moment. I started to pull his pants down, and he stood, letting them drop down to his ankles, before kicking them off.
Rion backed away from the couch, smirking. I involuntarily reached for him. He hooked his thumb over the waistband of his boxers and slowly teased them down an inch, never breaking eye contact with me.
“You're still dressed,” he purred.
“I think I can fix that.” I pulled my shirt off and made quick work of my pants. I bent slightly to pull my boxers off and when I straightened his were gone too. I took a step toward him and he caught me in his arms, pulling me close. His bare skin was like fire against mine. I was aware of every millimeter of skin touching in our embrace. Even the places where we weren't actually touching seemed like I could feel the heat from his body. I thought it was fire, before our dicks touched. And then, his rock-hard dick brushed against mine, and I knew the meaning of flames of desire. I gasped and arched against him, driving my penis against his, sending another jolt of pleasure through me.
Once more we kissed, then he gave my lower lip a parting nip, and began to kneel. I watched him, hardly daring to breathe, as he pressed a kiss to my chest, my stomach, and then with a mischievous smirk, lightly pursed his lips against the head of my penis. I shivered even though it was hardly even a touch. He flicked out his tongue, tasting the tip. Then, without warning, pulled my entire cock into his mouth. I cried out at the sudden ecstasy. Lips tight around me, he started to bob up and down. The sensation made my knees weak and I staggered back to the couch. Rion came with me, never breaking contact. He practically pushed me down onto the cushions and moved one hand to cup my balls as he sucked me off.
It was getting late and I was exhausted emotionally from the day, and physically from my late-night with a werewolf. I knew that if I came now, I probably wouldn't have the stamina to easily return the favor. So, I slowly adjusted my position, bringing him with me until he was forced to climb onto the couch. It was a difficult task, considering that I was practically trembling with pleasure the entire time, not to mention periodically thrusting into his mouth. Reluctantly, I pulled back and put one hand on his chest to push him away.
He lifted his head to look at me in concern. Before he could ask what was wrong I kept pushing on his chest, forcing him onto his back.
“I wasn't done,” he said, as I straddled him.
I matched his grin. “Neither was I.” I swung a leg over him and pivoted, settling back down on his hips. I turned and looked back at him over my shoulder, with what I hoped was a coy smile. Then I bent down and ran my tongue from the base of his cock up to the head, before swirling around, tasting him. Rion gasped in pleasure and raised his hips to meet me. He grabbed one of my thighs and pulled me toward him.
I moaned as once again his mouth closed around my dick. I struggled to keep my balance above him, afraid that I would accidentally choke him. It distracted from my ability to suck him off and he quickly solved the problem by grabbing my hips with both hands and moving me exactly where he wanted me. The result was that my dick seemed to sink further into his mouth and my legs were useless. He moaned around me and resumed eagerly sucking me off.
Satisfied that he was comfortable, I returned all of my attention to his cock. I held myself up on one elbow, while using my other hand to fondle his balls. I licked and sucked him, reveling in the little moans and gasps emanating from him. We fo
und a glorious rhythm and I lost myself in the ecstasy.
I played a game where I took as much of him into my mouth as possible to see how long I could hold it. Based on the way he would groan and arch toward me, it was clear he was enjoying it too. After a few rounds of that, I noticed that there seemed to be a bump forming on one side. I thought nothing of it, until it grew so large that I had to open my mouth wider to accommodate it. I sat back slightly to get a better look. Sure enough, there was a hard ball swelling at the base of his penis. It was about the size of a ping-pong ball, but even as I watched it began to get larger.
Rion pushed my hips up a little bit and removed my dick from his mouth. “Don't stop,” he panted.
“You've got a… bump?
“Ignore it, please,” he moaned. “I'm close.” He returned to sucking me off and I decided to listen to him. I buried him in my mouth again, pressing my lips against the lump that was even bigger now.
We were both close, so I sucked harder and faster. I felt his hands close around the cheeks of my ass, squeezing lightly. His fingers tickled around to my crack and teased my hole. And then they slipped down, brushing the sensitive spot right behind my balls and that was it. I came with a cry of pleasure, muffled by his cock. He came too, filling my mouth, as he howled. For a few moments we rested like that, before I slowly crawled off him and collapsed into the space he made for me on the couch. He put an arm around me and pulled me back on top of him, this time face-to-face. I sank against him with a content sigh.
There was another movie playing. I didn’t know what it was, but I didn’t care. Being with Rion was complete and utter bliss. I could hear his heart thumping against my ear and it seemed like mine was beating in time with it. With each breath I inhaled his intoxicating scent. I hardly noticed when the credits started rolling.
Rion sat up, just enough to dislodge me a little bit. I twisted my neck to look up at him and the moment I saw his face I wanted to kiss him and start all over again.
“It's getting late,” he said. “I don't suppose you want to go to bed… together?”
I smiled shyly at him. “Your room or mine?”
“Whichever one is closer?”
Laughing, I climbed to my feet and stretched. It was unbelievably hard tearing myself away from him. I held out a hand and he took it, allowing me to help him to his feet. He kissed my forehead in thanks, before turning and leading the way to our rooms. As it happened, his was closer, so I followed him inside. I suspected the real reason he had suggested it was because his bed was bigger. I practically fell onto the mattress. He flopped down next to me and pulled the sheet up over us.
“Good night, Rion,” I said to him.
“Good night, Elliott,” he said, putting an arm around me.
We returned to the position we had taken up on the couch, curled up against each other with every possible inch of us that could touch touching. I had never fallen asleep so easily.
Chapter Five
Rion
Talking with Elliott made it easy to forget how nervous I was. Once again, we were deep in an engaging conversation. Sometimes it was serious talk about our pasts or our hopes for the future. Some were about what we did now. Others were just about whatever random thought came to mind. Our first night together we fell asleep as soon as we were in bed; the second night we stayed up talking until dawn. Tonight… tonight Elliott would tell me his decision.
I wasn’t quite so nervous about that. I was almost positive he was going to agree to become my mate. We hadn’t spent a moment apart for three days. And each second was bliss. How could he say no? My concern was for the representative coming from the Alpha Parliament.
They would read Elliott’s mind to make sure he wasn’t secretly a werewolf hunter or something, and make sure he genuinely wanted to be changed. If not, his memory would be erased. And so would mine. Not wanting to influence his decision, I hadn’t told him that. I wasn’t looking forward to forgetting, but it was necessary; both to spare me the anguish of knowing my true mate had rejected me and to save him from a potentially desperate shifter who would turn him against his will.
“So, do you have any other questions about shifters?” I asked, trying to stay positive.
He shook his head. My heart started to sink, when he cleared his throat nervously. “I do have a uh… different question.”
“What is it?”
“Why haven’t we had sex yet? Not that I’m complaining, we’ve had some amazing oral sex. But, I feel like you’re avoiding going all the way.”
I smiled at him. “I am,” I said honestly. “You’ve seen my knot.”
“Your… oh!” His eyes flicked down to my crotch. “That big thing on your penis?”
“It’s an alpha knot. When we do have sex it will swell once I’m inside you.” Elliott looked a bit alarmed by the idea. “It essentially locks us together, to encourage insemination. I’m afraid to try it with a human, but once you’re changed you’ll have a natural lubrication that will help.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked sharply. It couldn’t be the Parliament, not so soon!
“No,” he said, casting a nervous look at the door. “Just that guy you said the… Alpha Parliament is sending?”
“I didn't think he'd be here until later.”
“Well, better see who it is,” Elliott said when our unexpected guest knocked a second time.
I opened the door and studied the man standing there. I immediately could sense that he was a shifter. Not a wolf – I somehow was always able to tell my own kind – I wasn't sure what he was, but if he was from the Parliament there was only one kind of shifter he could be.
“Chandler?” I guessed. There were only two shifters capable of erasing memories. While I had never seen them before, I was pretty sure that every shifter had heard their names.
He nodded, apparently unsurprised that I knew who he was. “You must be Rion?” At my answering nod, he turned his gaze to my mate. “And that makes you Elliott.”
“I thought you'd be British,” Elliott blurted nervously.
Chandler threw back his head and laughed. “Where on earth did you get that idea?”
“Well…” Elliott shot me an accusatory look. “He said you were from the Alpha Parliament, I assumed it would be in England.”
I winced. I really hadn't explained the Parliament well.
“It was in England originally,” Chandler said before I could. “At least, the first one was founded in England. There are similar governing bodies all over the world, but they all report back to the Parliament in the end. I however, am from the North American Parliament.”
“I see,” said Elliott.
“You’re early,” I said. “He hasn't even answered me yet.”
Elliott put a hand on my arm with a smile that weakened my knees. “You sound so nervous,” he said softly. “Surely you know I'm going to say yes.” He laughed, almost in disbelief at his own words. “I absolutely will let you turn me, and mate me, and whatever else it is that shifters do.” He turned to Chandler. “So, what now?”
“I do still have to read you. Is there somewhere private we can shift?” Chandler asked me. He raised a bemused eyebrow. “Somewhere spacious?”
“Oh right, the mind-reading thing,” Elliott said.
“I know a place,” I said. “If we leave now, we’ll get there around sunset.”
Chandler already had a light jacket, but he waited patiently while Elliott and I grabbed ours. I led the way to the clearing.
“I'm not entirely sure what you'll do,” I admitted as we walked.
“I can tell,” Chandler said lightly. “You're worried for your mate, but don't be. This will be pretty quick and easy, I have a good feeling about him.”
“You can tell what?” Elliott asked. “You can tell what he's thinking? You can read minds, right?”
“Not exactly,” said Chandler. “It's more an ability to sense emotions, sometimes
even complex ones.”
“If you can sense his emotions right now, then why are we going somewhere to change?” I asked. “Couldn't you just have done it in the apartment?”
“It's harder to read humans, in my human form,” Chandler said. “I'm also unable to erase memories like this.”
“Or if you decide he's a threat I won't exactly be able to fight you,” I muttered.
“It won't come to that,” Chandler said. “I've been doing this for two-hundred years and it has never come to a fight. In fact, more often than not there's no memory erasing at all. Whatever force chooses a true mate for us doesn't make mistakes often.”
“Why can you read minds or whatever, when other shifters can't?” Elliott asked.
“They aren’t the right type of shifter,” said Chandler with a smirk.
“And what type of shifter is that?”
“You’ll see,” Chandler said mysteriously.
“Maybe I've already told him,” I said.
Chandler winked at me and tapped a finger to his temple. “He's too curious, I know you haven't.”
It seemed that his timing was perfect. As we reached the clearing, the sun was just dipping below the horizon. I sensed my inner wolf pacing eagerly, as he did every sunset. Later tonight, I thought to him, even though there was no evidence our inner animals could actually hear us. I knew I was far from the only one who talked to mine.
Chandler undressed without preamble, momentarily stunning Elliott.
“We can't change while wearing clothes, not without destroying them,” I whispered to him.
“I figured, I saw it happen to you… I just…”
“I'm afraid you’ll have to get used to it,” I said. “Getting naked in front of other people before we shift is second nature.”
If Elliott had a reply, it got lost as Chandler began to change. Even though I knew what Chandler was, I had never seen it before. I was probably as fascinated as Elliott, as we watched scales cover his body, all of them a deep shining, ruby red. He began to get bigger, fast. Elliott and I both stepped back several feet as Chandler's body twisted and grew. For a moment I was worried that Elliott was going to pass out as it became apparent what Chandler was. His tail erupted from his back at the same moment his wings burst from his shoulder blades. He shook himself off and I held still, waiting for him to regain control from the mind of his animal.
