His expression turns grim at my mention of werewolves. "I have a lot to get used to," he says quietly as he stares down at his plate.
Brandon sighs and starts eating his breakfast as I wrestle with what to say to him next. He looks lost, adrift, and who could blame him after the world-altering things that were shoved in his face about the supernatural, and his own daughter, not to mention the secrets he has to keep about all of it. I can't imagine what this is like for him since I've always known the world isn't what it seems.
After a few bites of egg, a worried furrow creasing his brow. "Is Raven doing any better?" he asks.
"She had another rough night," I reply, "but I don't think it will be too much longer since she nearly shifted yesterday. She was fever free and sleeping soundly when I left her a little while ago. She feels peaceful and content through our mating bond for once this morning."
"I still don't understand what this mating bond thing is exactly or how it works," he says with a confused expression.
"It's like love at first sight, only stronger and more powerful. From the moment we met, we were irresistibly drawn to each other," I explain. "We were meant to share a pair-bond, to belong to each other."
"It doesn't sound like either of you had much of a choice in it," he replies with a small frown.
"Choice or not, I wouldn't change a thing," I say with fierce conviction as I fearlessly meet his eyes. "I love Raven, and I'm hers until I take my last breath. And I know Raven feels the same. I can feel it through our bond."
"How does the bond work?" he asks with a questioning look.
"I don't know how or why it works, but as pair-bonded werewolves, Raven and I can feel each other's emotions when we're touching."
A pensive expression crosses his features. "I don't know if that sounds like a dream come true or a nightmare."
I smile softly as I think about touching Raven and feeling her love flow into me, of how it fills me up and warms me from the inside out. It's the best feeling in the world, and especially when we have sex, but he doesn't need to know that.
"Believe me," I say with quiet sincerity, "it's a very good thing."
Brandon eyes me appraisingly for a long moment before nodding with apparent satisfaction. "I'm sorry I shot you," he then tells me with a pained expression.
"I'm sorry I put you in that position," I reply with a grimace.
He sighs deeply and nods. "Well, I guess all we can do is put it behind us and move on, huh?"
"I'd like that a lot."
"Good," is all he says, then turns his attention back to his food.
That's when I realize that the scent of fear has left him completely. Relief floods me, easing some of the tension I've been carrying for days. Thank God. I nod to myself, and continue eating in the comfortable silence that now surrounds us.
A few minutes later, that silence is shattered by Luna's yodeling howl of distress. I drop my fork onto my plate with a loud clatter as I surge to my feet, and charge downstairs toward the sound with Brandon following at a much slower human pace. Within seconds, I reach my bedroom door and hastily fling it open, then freeze in the doorway.
I see Raven twisting and contorting on the bed with poor Luna laying on top of her yipping and crying. Raven's body abruptly stills at my arrival, and she lifts her head. Flaming cobalt eyes, that aren't even remotely human, rise to meet mine. For the first time, I clearly see Raven's she-wolf staring right back at me, and I know one thing immediately and instinctively.
It's time.
27
RAVEN
The dark wolf with bright blue eyes watches me in my dreams yet again, and this time I know it's not Emmett's wolf, but mine. The she-wolf stalks me through the dark forest as I flee before her. I'm afraid of what will happen when she finally catches me, of how it will hurt, how it will change me. She never falters, never stops, her loping and relentless pace shadowing my every effort to get away. I hear her rumbling breaths behind me. I feel her intent gaze locked on me, and know there's no escape. She's going to catch me. It's inevitable. It's only a matter of time, and yet I keep running...and running...and running.
I scrabble in the dark through the thick underbrush and scratching tree branches in my haste to get away, my naked skin abraded and torn, my bare feet bloodied. I glance back to see how close she is, wondering if her slavering jaws are mere inches from sinking into my vulnerable and tender flesh, and see nothing. I turn around just in time to see twin flashes of brilliant cobalt fire right in front of me before I slam into her.
I gasp awake, my spine arching and my limbs locking up in a rigid and painful posture that shouldn't even be possible. Excruciating pain like I've never felt before in my life seizes me. In an instant, it steals enough of my breath away that I can't suck in a sufficient amount of air for a scream. This is different than a seizure, and so much worse, because I'm fully conscious and aware of every little nuance of pain and misery that racks my entire body. All I can do is let out an almost inaudible grunt and suffer through it.
Luna's hot breath is instantly in my face, her wet tongue and soft whines of worry doing nothing to soothe me. I can't even move enough to hug her in seek of comfort. A small whimper comes out of my mouth instead of Emmett's name. Silent tears squeeze from my clamped eyes as I bear the pain. I'm so scared...so terrified, and just when I think it can't get any worse, it does.
I feel a presence rising up and coiling its way in and around me. It's wild and inhuman, and driven by instinct and raw emotion. A strange pressure seems to be pushing out from inside me, like something is trying to claw its way out. My head suddenly feels like its going to explode, and I start to twist and contort violently. It feels like I'm ripping apart from the inside out as the pain crescendos beyond anything I've suffered these last few days or could have ever imagined. I'm lost to it as it dims my senses and completely stifles my breath, and I'm only vaguely aware of Luna howling in dismay as she throws her little body over mine.
And then I sense...him.
I breathe in his warm musk and raw masculinity, and it temporarily stills the she-wolf's frantic struggle to escape the confines of my body. We look up together, the she-wolf and I, and set eyes on our lover, our mate, the axis of our entire world.
Emmett.
He meets my eyes and they flash silver, then he whirls toward the door. "Stay back," he barks out gruffly to whoever must be outside the door. Then he turns to face me again. "Raven," he says in a gruff rasp as he steps slowly toward me.
The she-wolf is mesmerized by the way he moves with such fluid and powerful grace. She's fascinated by every line and dip of the taut and defined muscles that flex and shift beneath his skin. I'm right there with her, admiring every inch of this gorgeous man. The she-wolf and I share a moment of perfect accord, and a wave of possessive and covetous energy sweeps over us. This man, this wolf, he is ours. Ours.
"Mine," I growl out at him. My voice is strange and harsh, and I barely recognize it as my own.
A deep rumbling growl rises up in his chest, and his eyes flare silver again.
"Yes," he agrees in a rough voice, closing the distance between us and stopping at the foot of the bed. He reaches out to cradle my cheek in his warm calloused hand. "Always yours," he adds in a harsh whisper.
A warm soothing wave of love and acceptance floods me at his touch. It anchors my chaotic mind and eases my lingering pain. It's such a relief that I need more. I launch myself off the bed at him with a soft whimper, and he catches me easily. I latch onto him and wrap my arms and legs around his body in a near-death grip. He cradles me close as he breathes me in with his nose buried in my hair. Then he lets out a deep groan of contented pleasure that I can feel through our bond.
This isn't about sex or lust. It's about comfort and reassurance. I close my eyes and sigh with relief into his embrace as I press my face against his neck. His warm musk smells like home, like belonging, and I want to roll around in it until it invades my every pore.
Emm
ett takes one arm from around my body just long enough to snag the comforter off the bed. He tucks it around my naked body, then he carries me out of the room. I don't even care where he's taking me, as long I'm with him.
I hear my father's voice, along with another man and a woman. I recognize them as Emmett's parents, even if I'm too out of it to follow their words or to look up to see them. However, none of the voices belong to our mate, and the she-wolf becomes agitated. Pain ignites across my body again, undulating under my skin and making me whimper pathetically as I stiffen in Emmett's arms. I hear Luna whining from somewhere nearby.
"Shh," he soothes as he carries me along to who knows where. "I've got you, Rav."
I can feel his distress and helplessness, and I'm certain it's because he can't take my pain away. But I wouldn't wish this kind of torment on him, even if I could. I just want it to go away.
"Emmett," I say his name in a bare whisper against the soft cotton of his shirt. "It hurts."
"I know, baby," he says reassuringly. "We'll be out in the forest soon, and I promise it will help."
I hold onto him tighter, the pain worsening and the pressure inside me growing stronger until I start sobbing uncontrollably. I feel like I'm being torn to pieces inside as the she-wolf tries to claw her way out of me, and it's pure agony. I'm barely aware of it when we finally get outside, and I can feel Emmett's distress heighten as he quickens his pace.
"Almost there, baby," he tells me. "Just hold on."
And the instant we enter the trees, I feel it. This calm and soothing sensation flows over me, like I'm being submerged in cool sweet water. Oh thank God. I sag in Emmett's arms with relief as the pain ebbs back to a more manageable level again.
"There you go," he murmurs. "That's better, isn't it?"
"Mm, hmm," is all I can muster in reply.
I flutter my eyes open to see trees flying past in the dim early-morning light as Emmett swiftly carries me farther into the Wolcott Nature Preserve. I close them again and hang limp in his arms as I pant through the pain, focusing on just getting through each horrible moment. Eventually, Emmett comes to a stop and lowers me to the ground with the comforter beneath me. I let out a low moan as I curl my pain-racked body into a fetal position. It's starting to get bad again, and I hold my breath as I fight through the pain. I vaguely hear Luna whimpering as she snuggles up against my back with her head on my hip.
"Breathe, baby," Emmett reminds me as his hands cup my face.
I open my eyes to find him kneeling next to me with an empathetic and worried expression, those same emotions flowing into me. I manage to gasp in a few harsh breaths as he caresses my face with gentle fingers.
"You need to let go," he tells me gravely with his ice-blue eyes focused intently on me. "Give in to the wolf and stop fighting her."
"But the...the pain," I whimper. "I...I can't."
"Yes, you can," he says firmly, yet reassuringly.
"I'm scared," I whisper raggedly.
"I know," he replies softly. "And I was too when I went through the change, but believe me when I say this is the only way." He caresses my cheek gently. "Trust me." He leans down and presses his forehead to mine. "Just let go, and I'll help you through it."
His sincerity, his comfort, his love, all of it flows into me in a warm soothing wave that settles my fear. In its wake, I feel the wild and untamed emotions of Emmett's wolf. The she-wolf instantly takes notice and rises up inside me again, along with a breathtaking surge of pain. I gasp and moan as I try to fight it down.
"No, no," Emmett chides as he lifts his forehead from mine. "Open your eyes and look at me."
I obey, and Emmett holds my gaze with his now glowing silver eyes.
"Don't fight it," he says in a low rasping growl.
"I can't do it!" I wail as I flail my hands about in desperation, the pain tearing into me like hot knives.
He grabs both my hands in a tight grip to still them, and gives me a hard fierce stare. "Yes. You. Can," he growls out vehemently. "You're strong, your fierce, and you can do anything. Embrace the pain and let go." His wolf's eyes flame brighter. "Now," he adds with a snarl.
And God help me, this time I do it. Instead of running, I reach for the wolf. I reach for the pain. I pull them in closer, let it all slam into me like a brutal battering ram. It's horrible, fucking excruciating, and I buck and scream and wail as I clench Emmett's hands in a death grip that has to hurt him. He never falters, never fails me. He lets me hold on to him and feel his strong steady presence as the she-wolf rises higher, and higher, and higher. And just when I think that I can't take anymore, and my will and consciousness begin to fade, she finally breaks free in an explosion of blinding white-hot agony.
My spine bows and my limbs go rigid and tight. I hear and feel the sickening snick and snap of bones and sinew shifting and changing under my prickling burning skin. I stare in stunned shock as thick black fur erupts from my arms and ripples down to my hands. I see my fingers shorten, and my nails shift and elongate to become sharp ebony claws. I try to scream, but a gurgling growl is all that comes out instead, my tongue thick as my jaw elongates and my teeth feeling like they're being yanked out of my jaw. I feel like I'm being filleted from the inside out. And just when the pain reaches the point where I think I might pass out, it abruptly drains away in a giddy rush to be replaced by blessed and quiet stillness.
I look to Emmett and find him smiling down at me, his love and pride flowing into me from where his hand now cradles my face. His silver wolf's eyes glitter and burn with incandescent fire. They're beautiful...glorious as I watch every vivid shade of silver swirling in them. The she-wolf and I want to get closer, and I haul myself upright. I push up onto what are now four completely unfamiliar paws and instantly lurch sideways like I'm drunk.
Emmett steadies me with his hands on my back and lets me lean against him for support. Luna stands near my head, whining and frantically licking my face. I just stay still as everything spins around me, blinking in near shock until I get my bearings and the world rights itself.
Then I take in a slow deep breath and realize I can smell everything. The earth, the trees, the animals, Emmett, and even Luna. Everything is a vibrant and chaotic riot of scents. I've never smelled anything like this. I can pick out every nuance, every separate little part of all the different scents around me, including the hint of bacon and the laundry soap clinging to Emmett's shirt. My hearing is just as acute too. I hear the breeze in the leaves, the skittering of little animals in the underbrush, the fluttering of a bird's wings. I can even hear Emmett and Luna's hearts beating, his slow and steady, hers fast and frenetic. The she-wolf knows what all of them are, cataloging each one and making sense of the chaos. It's all so overwhelming that all I can do is stand there on four trembling wobbly legs, panting heavily as I take it all in.
Emmett pulls away from me and rises to his feet. Before I can whine at the loss of contact, he whips his shirt and shorts off, then seamlessly shifts into his glorious and imposing dark-gray wolf. He lifts his muzzle to the heavens and lets out a long and poignant howl that echos through the forest. Almost immediately a chorus of nearby howls join in. They weave and whirl in a beautiful song that I instinctively know is the pack's joyous celebration of my first shift, and a unifying call for our first hunt together. It lifts my heart and soul, stirring the woman and she-wolf inside me, and I throw back my head and eagerly join in.
28
EMMETT
My Raven is simply stunning in her wolf form. Her she-wolf's thick ebony fur is sleek and smooth over her lithe and wiry body. Her eyes are a fiery cobalt blue burning with a wild and unbridled energy that calls to my own wolf. Though quite a bit smaller than my two hundred pounds, her wolf still appears strong and imposing with a feminine gracefulness that my larger frame lacks. My mate is absolutely perfect.
I long to join her, and without another thought, I step back and quickly tear off my clothes. I shift, then running on pure instinct, raise a call to the ne
arby members of the pack who spent the night in the forest. They instantly respond with a chorus of excited howls that begin to move closer as they converge on our location.
My mate joins in with a joyous howl of her own, even though she's exhausted and still unsteady on her paws. I'm proud of the strength of will and fortitude she displayed while suffering through her first shift. When she sways on her feet and her howl falters, I step closer and come up next to her, so she can lean against me for support. I let out a low rumble of pleasure and lick her face as she pants to catch her breath, enjoying her honey sweet scent and the wild undertone it now carries. I feel her excitement and nervous uncertainty, and counter it with my own calm self-assurance that sets her at ease.
A second later, the little husky fearlessly joins in the pack's call. Her yodeling and higher pitched howls are nothing like a wolf, but her enthusiasm is utterly adorable. I snort in amusement, and she responds by launching herself into motion. She zips in wild chaotic circles all around the clearing we're in, yipping in happy excitement and periodically play bowing in front of Raven and me before zooming off again like a lunatic.
A few moments later, when five huge wolves suddenly emerge in near silence from the trees, Luna instantly scurries back over to Raven and me with panic in her pale blue eyes. She plasters her now trembling little body against my front legs with her tail between her legs as she whines softly in anxiety.
The first wolf to approach us is tall and slender with pure white fur and bright glowing silver eyes like mine. The she-wolf paces farther into the clearing with light and graceful steps, then immediately approaches us with her head low and her tail wagging slowly in a friendly and none-threatening manner. It's my little sister, Lyric, and the least threatening one of us. Though she can be just as lethal when she needs to be.
Wild Blood: The Trueborn Saga Book 1 Page 19
