It was impossible. It couldn’t be true. And yet, as we sat there in my living room, I couldn’t deny that I’d seen it with my own eyes.
Cain was a wolf.
Or, a man who could become a wolf.
Or a wolf who could become a man?
He must have realized I was starting to freak out, because he had stopped talking and was just waiting now.
I licked my lips.
“You’re saying that you… you were born this way?” I asked.
He nodded.
Okay.
&ldqu
~ Kelsie ~ I inhaled sharply, because I felt a jab of his fear through that little space in my chest. But I swallowed it back and leaned closer. “And if he didn’t kill me? If I stayed safe? What would happen between us then?” He still looked sad, but his brows rose and his eyes glowed. “The most amazing… the most beautiful thing, Kelsie. There’s nothing on earth better than loving your mate.” I clenched my hands to fists to stop myself reaching for him. But I hoped he saw the determination in my eyes. “The
SOUNDTRACK: To the Wolves by Stitched up Heart and Escape the Fate. (WARNING: Explicit lyrics.) ***** ~ Cain ~ My entire body trembled as my wolf surged forward overcome by the desire for Kelsie and rage against this pup who had hurt her and wouldn’t stop pushing into her space. There was a chaotic moment in my mind where I imagined the satisfaction of yanking that door open and tearing out his throat. But Kelsie, with her beautiful legs still wrapped around my waist, took my face in both her hands and turned me to face her, holding eye-contact as she tried to whisper through her heaving breath. “I’ll get rid of him. Just… stay calm.” She was alarmed, but not panicking. Her scent was a tangled mess of desire and thrill and fear… and something solid. The growing bond between us glowed with warm light. It made my chest expand. We stared at each other for a long moment and for the first time in five years I felt the soothing calm of a mate. Her heart’s warmth and care washed over
~ Kelsie ~Cain couldn’t show his wolf to Daniel!“NO!” I gasped, slapping Daniel’s hand away. I felt that creature inside him surge forward then be yanked back like a dog on a leash, snarling and snapping, threatening. And even though I would have loved to watch Daniel wet his pants when he was faced with that, I knew I couldn’t let Cain do it.This was all too crazy. We had to get things under control before… before something happened that we couldn’t take back.Go. I thought the word, but I knew he couldn’t hear it. I could feel him wavering, wanting to start towards me, then
~ Cain ~Jonathan wasn’t home when I reached his place hours later. I had to wait until he got back, pacing in his backyard as my wolf.It was evening, the sun sinking behind the distant mountains, before the headlights of his car finally cut across the house and a few moments later, I heard him moving around inside.Keeping to the shadows as much as I could, I darted across the yard and to his back door, scratching on it with my claws.I heard his footsteps pause in the house, and then turn… coming closer.Nervous anticipation tightened my chest because even though I knew Jonathan loved me, he had also loved Lauren. And his wife wasn’t my biggest fan…
~ Kelsie ~It started to rain at dinnertime again.I put the casserole back in the oven to reheat while I kept watching the windows for any sign of life over at Cain’s house.His car hadn’t moved. I had gone back into the house twice in case he had snuck back in as his wolf, but there was nothing.When it started to get dark, I had gone down to his basement to flip the breaker so that the lights would work if he came home.But now it was after seven. The rain was getting heavy again. Though it wasn’t as bad as the night before, the clouds and rain meant it was almost pitch black outside. But there were no lights or signs of movement at his house.I w
~ Kelsie ~When the knocking started in the middle of the night, I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to the front door.I hadn’t woken up properly. It was instinct, that knot in my chest was warm and awake. Cain was here. And I was so relieved.I jumped down the last three stairs and stumbled in the hallway before sprinting to the door.“Thank God you’re back. I was so afraid you were going to—”I turned the deadbolt back and threw the door open, then froze.The form in the dark on the step was tall and male, but something wasn’t right.“Cain?” I murmured, then flipped on th
~ Cain ~Her scent was a tangle of conflicting emotions. But the strongest was relief. She was relieved that I was there.I followed her into the house as my wolf, trotting past her when she turned to lock the door because my wolf instincts were still quivering and I needed to be sure the house was empty before I shifted back. So I raced through the house, checking scents and dark corners, while Kelsie called quietly from the living room asking me to come back.The bond was thrumming now that we were close again. I needed to be close. It had been a helluva day. But I couldn’t relax until I was sure that she was safe.When I was confident that we were truly alone, I raced back down
~ Kelsie ~“This is so embarrassing,” I said to the cops.There were two of them standing at the door in full uniform, both of them looking between me to the room behind me. I hadn’t opened the door all the way, but it was wide enough that they could see the door into the hallway. If Cain tried to run out that way they’d see him.Shit.“Ma’am are you home alone?” the Officer repeated.I covered my face with one hand. “Officer, you need to understand, Daniel is my ex-boyfriend. He’s… he’s drunk and making trouble. I can’t believe he’s done this!”Neither of them spoke for a moment, I took my