The Prelude

by Sammie Joyce

  He understood—of course he did. Somehow, he was already inside me even before his hardness pressed to my throbbing, damp core.

  “You’re what I’ve been looking for,” he muttered. “All this time.”

  I answered by yanking him closer, our forms melding together. My hands clung to his shoulder blades and I could feel the definitive lines of his wings beneath my claws.

  We fell into a frenzied rhythm, rising to heights of pleasure I never knew existed. Our skin was slick with sweat, our kisses salted now and together we formed one being as the universe had intended.

  Philippe had travelled the country, trying to escape his woes and his journey had led him directly into my arms.

  He hadn’t been running from anything—he’d been flying toward me.

  With a long, shuddering sigh, I released against him, trembling with passion. Philippe sank his mouth against my neck, his movements becoming faster, more urgent until he, too, joined me in a wave of passion, a low moan escaping his full mouth as he filled me with his seed.

  It was only then that I heard the mournful howl of a wolf in the distance.

  4

  Philippe

  I soared from that moment on, both physically and inside my own mind. I could coast through the heavens, only to fall back onto Aspen’s back where we would wrestle and play among the wildlife in the dense woods. I flew to heights I never even thought possible and I knew I had no one but Aspen to thank for that.

  From the moment she had approached me in the woods, I knew we were going to be inseparable—and we were.

  Our days were spent tripping through the woods, most often in our shifted forms, chasing one another as I had seen her and Locklear that first day. I loved that I could be so free with her, be myself and not look over my shoulder, fearsome of being judged.

  I would fly above her as she jumped and frolicked through the leaves below, swooping down to tickle her with my broad wings before zipping out of reach Aspen swatted playfully at me with her massive paws but never dangerously. From the moment we met, we sensed how much the other could take and never breached that trust for a second.

  We paused the water’s edge to swim and dive, only to fall back exhausted on the banks, staring up at the setting sun in one another’s arms at the end of the day.

  Sometimes, I would manage to squirrel away a sketch book and as she stared at me sleepily, her naked form covered by her long tresses, I would get busy drawing like I was possessed by the spirits of our ancestors.

  I couldn’t get enough of her and she seemed to feel the same about me. We were caught in an endless loop of intoxication, feeding off one another in way I never imagined possible for me.

  Who would have thought that I, the shunned outcast of my convocation, would be welcomed so lovingly by anyone, least of all a creature as enchanting as Aspen? It didn’t seem real most of the time but I didn’t question it. I was too caught up in relishing the invisible force between us to look away.

  Days passed like minutes and between our endless lovemaking and carefree hours of play, I had forgotten that time existed at all. Not that I was complaining. Who needed time when we had one another? It was as if the world beyond had ceased to exist for both of us.

  Rain beat on the flimsy roof of my treehouse one evening and Aspen lay, exhausted in my arms, her lids half-closed as she pressed her head to my chest.

  My fingers trailed through her silken hair and I counted her breaths like I had learned to do subconsciously.

  “Are you happy?” I heard myself ask even before I knew I was speaking. I was just as surprised as she was by the question. I didn’t know from where it had come.

  Aspen raised her head slightly off my bare belly to peer curiously into my eyes, a bemused smile on her face.

  “Are you seriously asking me that?” she chuckled, her eyes glimmering with the same affection I’d become so accustomed to seeing.

  I smiled wanly, a flutter in my gut warning me that I was questioning something I should leave alone.

  “I just feel like I swept in here and took you away from your life.”

  Stop talking! You’re going to ruin everything! I growled to myself.

  “What do you mean?” she asked curiously, her head cocking to the side in confusion. “Why are you saying that?”

  “I don’t know,” I said quickly, regretting that I’d brought it up at all. “I mean, I saw you with your wolf friend before and he must be wondering where you are.”

  “Locklear,” she offered and I nodded, turning my head away.

  “Yes…” I trailed off, unsure of where I was going with my words. Assuming I was going anywhere at all. I wasn’t insecure per se but I couldn’t help but feel like this was all fleeting, just like everything else in my life had been. Maybe Aspen met lots of strangers and disappeared with them.

  I didn’t believe that for a second and yet I was asking her in a not-so-subtle way about her friend.

  Aspen stared at me for a long minute, unspeaking but I could read the surprise in her eyes.

  “I don’t think I had a life before you,” she confessed when she finally spoke and a great relief washed through me as I exhaled, pulling her back toward me but she struggled against my pull, her eyes still fixed on my face.

  “Where is this all coming from suddenly?” Aspen wanted to know. I shrugged and looked away, suddenly embarrassed that I’d partially ruined an idyllic moment but I could tell Aspen wasn’t going to let it go that easily. I had already learned that she could be fiercely stubborn. It was just one of the many qualities I loved about her.

  “Maybe I feel like this is a dream,” I replied with a sigh.

  Like a baby bear cub on a tree trunk, she snaked her body upward to climb me, her face inches from mine as she stared deeply into my eyes. Again, I was hypnotized by the bright passion of her glowing orbs.

  “Does this feel like a dream?” she murmured, placing her lips against mine, our gazes still locked. When she parted, I nodded.

  “Yes,” I replied truthfully. “It does.”

  Aspen laughed and dropped to my side, her long, strong leg looped across my body as she snuggled back into the crevice of my neck, her breath warming me.

  “Then let’s dream together,” she said and all my passive doubts melted away, leaving me to fall asleep to the sound of the rain above our heads.

  When I woke late the next morning, the rain had stopped and I could see sunlight streaming in through the rough branches which held my home together. The weather had cooperated with us from the minute we’d me, as if the universe condoned our relationship. If it did rain, it only did at night, when we were hunkered away and safe in each other’s arms. Not that either of us would have minded running free in a storm but our days were filled with sunshine and warmth. That morning was no different.

  I was shocked to see Aspen up before me. I usually had to peel her off my body, our skin stuck together as if we were beginning to fuse into one being. She was curled up on the floor, near the doorway, one of my sketchpads in her hands, her head bowed down causing her long tendrils to half-cover her face.

  It took me several seconds to understand what she was doing as I woke up slowly. It was odd not to have her at my side when I opened my eyes but I suddenly understood what she was doing.

  Is she drawing me?

  I sat up and watched in amazement. Aspen had never shown any penchant for drawing before but I’d never thought to ask either. I didn’t want to startle her but I was wildly curious to see what she was working on. How long had she been doing this? Had she woken up early before to try her hand?

  Half-closing my eyes, I dropped my body back down before she could see me and continued to watch her as she scribbled furiously with a dull pencil. I wanted to call out to her and tell her to replace the utensil but I didn’t want to break her concentration either. Anyway, some of my best work had been done with much worse materials.

  Every day is a surprise with her. What else am I going to lear
n about Aspen?

  My heart swelled with pride and adoration as I realized I couldn’t wait to find out.

  “I know you’re awake,” Aspen called out, her eyes still trained on the paper. I fully parted my lids and offered her a warm smile. “You don’t have to pretend to sleep anymore.”

  “I didn’t want to distract you,” I replied. Aspen’s grin widened and she raised her eyes toward me. I saw a mischievous glow in her face.

  “You’d probably be helping me at this point,” she laughed, flipping the book around so that I could see what she’d been working on. “You make it look a lot easier than it is.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the crude lines she’d drawn but I also knew she hadn’t put in a sincere effort, particularly when she giggled too.

  “There’s potential there,” I fibbed and she howled, tossing the book aside to rush me. Her long legs straddled me as she pinned me down to the thin mattress, raining kisses over my face. My arms embraced her and I drew her close as she settled against me.

  “So I’m not an artist,” she chuckled. “But I have other talents.”

  “Indeed you do,” I agreed. “Does one of those talents include making breakfast?”

  Aspen feigned a scowl, pretending to be offended as she sat back to whack me playfully.

  “Chauvinist! Just because I’m a girl, I should be getting your breakfast? What’s next? Should I give you a sponge bath too?”

  My eyes widened with interest and I tilted my head in wonder.

  “Would you?” I asked hopefully and she laughed. I shook my head, knowing she didn’t think that of me at all. She had gotten to know me almost better than I knew myself this past week. Still, I felt the need to explain my position to her.

  “I’m thinking it’s because you have much bigger paws for catching fish and I could go for some salmon and eggs this morning.”

  Aspen giggled again and dismounted me.

  “It’s not morning anymore,” she countered.

  Of course it wasn’t morning. We often spent until the break of dawn making love or talking under the stars which left us exhausted come the morning. Being sheltered beneath the heavy leaves of the trees, it was easy to sleep the day away.

  “Where would I find chickens?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you intending to bring me to your community?”

  Aspen paused and blinked as if the question had thrown her off guard.

  “I’ll get the salmon if you get the eggs. There are always wild chickens near the mossy cave for some reason I’ll never understand. I think they’re the Pines’ but no one ever claims them.”

  She didn’t address my question about the other shifters and I decided not to push it.

  Be careful what you wish for, I reminded myself. You’re in a perfect place right now. There’s no need to involve anyone else. And when Aspen’s ready, she’ll introduce you to the others. We should enjoy our honeymoon phase while we can.

  “Deal,” I replied, rising from the mattress, the sheet falling away to reveal my nakedness. I could feel Aspen’s eyes on me even without looking at her and I felt a now-familiar thrill course through me.

  “Unless you had something else in mind?” I asked innocently. Instead of answering with words, Aspen threw herself back into my arms, knocking me backward until I hit the wall of the treetop cottage, her mouth sealing to mine again.

  I closed my eyes and savored the sweetness of her lips again, knowing that as long as I lived, I would never, ever be as happy as I was in those moments.

  When our mouths parted, Aspen stared at me and I knew what she was going to say before she said it.

  “I think I’m in love with you, Philippe,” she breathed, a slight alarm crossing her face as she heard the words in her own ears. “I know we barely know one another but—”

  I held a finger to her lips, not wanting her to talk herself out of the sensations coursing through her at that moment. She eyed me expectantly and I could tell she was nervous that I might discount her emotions.

  “I know exactly how you feel,” I told her sincerely. “The difference is, I know I’m in love with you.”

  Happiness overtook her face and she again kissed me with such fervor, I knew that lunch was going to be put on hold.

  Who needed food when we could sustain ourselves on one another?

  5

  Aspen

  I think my sixth sense woke me before I even heard the urgent shouting in the distance as if I’d dreamed what was happening.

  Perhaps I’d anticipated it. Philippe’s mention of the clan earlier had certainly made me think about how long I’d been gone. It was only a matter of time before our dream came to an abrupt end, I supposed.

  I popped my head up in alarm, looking around the darkened treehouse. Philippe remained fast asleep at my side, oblivious to the chaos I could hear approaching.

  Quietly, I untangled myself from him, careful not to rouse him from sleep. For reasons I couldn’t explain, I wanted to keep him hidden even though I knew the voices below weren’t for him but for me.

  I slipped onto the outer deck, the blackness no match for my heightened sense of sight, even at night.

  “…from here,” I heard Locklear saying. “He couldn’t have taken her far.”

  I blinked, trying to make sense of my best friend’s words as the last of sleep slipped away from me.

  Taken who? Taken me?

  The notion was ridiculous. There was no one on earth who was a match for me, even in my mortal form and Locklear knew that better than anyone. Yet as I came to understand the situation below, even without seeing my sleuth or the other shifters, I was well aware that they were, in fact, searching for me.

  A combination of anger and defensiveness shot through me and I glared into the night.

  Instantly, I shifted, jumping onto the trunk before my weight could break the deck and ambled down the tree toward the voices beyond. They were in the general area that I had first met Philippe and I raced toward them. I didn’t want anyone to impede on our sanctuary.

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” I heard my mother say. “This isn’t the first time she’s been gone for days at a time, Locklear.”

  “This is the first time she’s been last seen in the care of an interloper!” Locklear shot back in a tone that was not characteristic of him whatsoever.

  Why is he snapping at my mom?

  I bounded around a row of pines and finally set my eyes on two dozen shifters roving through the woods, all in their respective animal forms. I let out a low, annoyed growl and everyone seemed to pause in unison.

  “Aspen?” It was my father who called out and I reluctantly let go of my offensive position, even though I was still irked beyond all reason. “Is that you?”

  “Of course it’s me,” I grumbled, morphing back into my human form. “What are you doing in out here in the middle of the night?”

  Slowly, the community began to come into view, their relief almost palpable and my irritation gave way to guilt as I read the worry on their faces.

  “You’ve been gone a week!” Locklear growled, appearing before me. “Everyone was concerned about you! What did you expect us to do?”

  I didn’t say it aloud but I had a feeling that it was only Locklear who had genuinely been that up in arms about it. Looking helplessly at my father, I shrugged my shoulders but I lowered my gaze. I didn’t want anyone to read my true feelings in my eyes.

  “Where have you been?” Dad asked patiently. “Are you all right?”

  More consternation flooded me and I hung my head.

  “I’m sorry,” I said quickly, giving up my attitude. “I didn’t realize I’d been gone that long.”

  “See?” Mom told Locklear, a slight exasperation on her face. “I told you she can take care of herself. Really, Locklear, getting us all worked up for nothing.”

  “Where is the outsider?” Locklear demanded, unwilling to relent his cause.

  “Who?” I asked innocently but I
glared daggers at him. I wish he hadn’t spoken to the rest of the community about Philippe but I wasn’t about to call him out in front of everyone. He and I would have discussion about it later. If I was to introduce Philippe to the others, I would do it on my terms, not Lock’s. I resented that my best friend was trying to control the situation.

  “All right,” Dad sighed. “You’re safe and that’s all that matters. Let’s get back to the caves. Aspen’s right. It’s late and we should all be sleeping.”

  “Not me,” Locklear grumbled but everyone ignored him and turned to amble back toward our homes. I remained in place, my eyes darting back in the direction of the treehouse. I wanted desperately to return to the warmth of Philippe’s embrace.

  Philippe is one of us. He could come home with us too, I thought but something kept me from running to him and waking him up. Maybe I knew he appreciated his solitude, up there in the trees, away from scrutiny and scorn. Or maybe I just wanted to keep him my little secret. He wouldn’t appreciate having to meet the others in the middle of the night under those circumstances, would he?

  Still, it felt strange leaving him behind without saying a word.

  “Are you coming?” Locklear demanded and I started at the sound of his voice. I eyed him through my peripheral vision but moved my body so that he couldn’t sense where I was looking.

  “Really, Lock? You called in the cavalry for little, old me?” I demanded sarcastically, trying to keep the ire out of my tone. I wasn’t successful. He didn’t even crack a smile and I was overwhelmed by shame then as I realized how much I’d neglected my sleuth and family in the past week.

  “It’s so easy for you to joke about it but I was seriously concerned, Aspen,” he growled. I knew he was speaking the truth and decided to let him off the hook, despite the inconvenience it had caused me.

  “Hey, I’m fine, okay?” I told him and he shrugged.

  “How was I supposed to know that?” he demanded. “The last I saw, you were with that mortal. For all I knew, he had taken you.”