Dark Fates (A Paranormal Anthology)(75)

His tongue dipped inside her mouth, searching until it found hers and they danced together. Pinpricks of pleasure skittered across her skin, leaving her far too sensitive to his touch.

Breaking the kiss, he nipped his way down her jaw to her throat. She froze as her wolf bowed in submission. Torin released her and put some space between them. No. She went to reach for him, but caught her hands, pressed a kiss in each palm, and placed them over his heart. “Your wolf submits too easily.”

She glanced away and confessed to him something she hadn’t to anyone else. “I don’t know how to connect with her.”

“When did you last shift?”

Fear slammed into her chest. “I told you earlier today.”

“When did you last try to shift?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “The day I found out Jason died. It hurt too much. My wolf curled up and refused to move.”

He encircled her in his arms and held her tight. His earthy scent filled her senses, soothing her. “You said she’s more active when I’m around.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

“Then we’re going for a run before dinner to see if she wants to come out and play with my wolf.”

She pushed at his chest until he released her. Shaking her head, she moved a few steps from him. “What…what if I can’t?”

He closed the distance, but didn’t touch her. “Then we’ll go to Sasha. You’re not broken; your wolf is scared. I can feel her. She responds to me.”

Cora glanced at him, then to the forest behind the apartments. A longing to be able to run on all fours, the wind blowing through her fur, filled her. Holding out her hand to him, she gave a short nod. “Okay, we can try. I want to try.”

A sensual smile formed on his lips as he took her hand and led her to forest. Her heart hammered so hard it sounded like it was in her head. God, she hoped this worked. If it didn’t, she’d never be able to mate with Torin. He deserved better than a broken wolf.





Chapter Six


Hand in hand, Torin and Cora walked into the forest toward the creek running through the neutral zone between Ashwood and MoonRiver. The dimming evening sun filtered through the trees. The crispy fall air tingled his senses as his wolf danced within, excited about the run.

A few feet into the woods, he stopped and faced her. Her blue-eyed gaze stared past him, not meeting his. “Close your eyes and try to change.”

She inhaled deeply, then released a breath as she obeyed. Her forehead wrinkled and, after several moments, she blinked. “She retreated. It’s like she’s frightened.”

Tears blurred her vision and her lip trembled. Cupping her face, he forced her to look at him. “Try again; this time focus on me as you do.”

He allowed his own wolf to rise and reach out to her. She sucked in a breath and jerked out of his grasp, turning away from him.

“Look at me.”

She shook her head in the first defiant act he’d seen in her since her brother died. That’s my girl. Satisfaction flowed within him. He’d always loved the bite Cora used to have. As a child, she was wild and carefree even for a submissive wolf.

Closing the distance between them, he leaned in so his lips brushed her ear. “My wolf wants to play. Come out and play, Cora.”

A soft groan left her lips followed by a hushed whimper from her wolf. She began to shake, then crumpled to the ground, cupping her face in her hands. He squatted beside her. “Don’t fight it. Breathe and welcome the change.”

Several long moments passed and still no she-wolf. He thought he’d have to force the change—something he’d only seen done twice in his life and had no desire to do it to another—until she cried out and her skin glowed a soft white. As he stood and took a step away, the glow turned into a flash, leaving a beautiful copper wolf.

The wolf locked her gaze on him and backed away. Not good. He held out a hand and waited to see if she approached. She didn’t; instead she sniffed the air and cocked her head at him.

“That’s it. You know who I am.”

Still, she retreated when he advanced. Then she yipped at him, making his wolf let out a playful growl. He swore he heard Cora laugh softly in his thoughts, making him wonder if the woman and wolf had reconnected. Yet, he could sense she was still timid and frightened.

“What do you want, mate?” he asked, letting her know she was in control of what happened next.

With another yip, she took off to the left and ran through the trees. Laughing, he shifted and gave chase.

Delight and pride fueled his wolf as he ran after his mate. Pure joy filled him. She recognized him as her mate and wanted to be caught and claimed. The mating dance had finally and truly begun.

He howled, announcing his joy and telling his Pack to stay away from the area. Cora stopped several feet ahead and stared at him. A moment later, she too howled, then darted off further into the woods.

****

Cora loved the wind in her fur, the smell of the forest at her wolf’s level. Her heart swelled with joy at finally being free. The shift wasn’t as painful as she’d feared. In fact she felt wonderful.

After she calmed her wolf down from the initial freak out of being out, they were able to run and taunt their mate. For the first time in years, she’d finally connected with her beast, and they were in sync with what they did, thought, and wanted. They wanted Torin to claim them.