Page 6

A soft step on the forest floor snaps me back into the present.

Fuck.

I take a breath.

It’s not Grant or any of his pack.

I take another, deeper breath.

No.

It can’t be.

My heart speeds.

My legs shake as I push up, and lean against the tree, my claws transforming, digging into the wood.

My mind shuts down as I stare into the dark.

My eyes turn into my cheetah’s, probing the area in front of me.

It’s him.

A sleek, large, dangerous cheetah appears in front of me. His eyes are locked on my face. His legs take slow, steady steps, and his long tail swishes back and forth through the grass. He moves as if he has all the time in the world, yet he keeps me frozen, waiting for him.

His head cocks, and his nostrils flare. He’s taking in my scent. My body decides this is the best time to become wet, heavy, and totally turned on.

This is not happening. I shake my head slightly, and he speeds up, sensing my desire to run.

His paw lands a foot away from me. His big head reaches just below my chest. I suck in my breath when his nose touches my shirt. He breathes in, ruffling the fabric, and growls. I don’t dare move. I use all of my training to stay completely still. I shove all the surprise and fear deep inside.

I can’t stifle the gasp when he rolls his head on my stomach. He’s leaving his scent on me. He wants me covered.

He continues down. Down my legs, one after another, to my feet and back up. He pauses in front of my crotch. He licks his lips, baring his teeth, and his chest rumbles. He skims over me, not quite touching, but his hot breath sinks into my pants.

I shiver.

My mouth opens slightly as need slides through me.

He is my mate.

The one meant for no one but me. A shifter knows the second they meet their mate. We rely on our senses. Our sense of smell is the first clue. We can smell our mate and once we do, a knowing within our bodies takes over. A pull deep inside begins, and we are desperate to be with them. Everything else fades, nothing else matters but being near them.

Such shit timing.

The air cracks, and he stands an inch away in his human form.

Naked.

And oh, so beautiful.

I keep my eyes on his, willing them not to stray downward. But they want to so bad.

He has dirty-blond hair that's long on top and falls over his eyes. He’s tall, so I have to tilt my head back to keep my eyes on his. His bright green eyes are piercing in their intensity, burning into mine. His lashes are so dark and long. Out of the corner of my vision, I see muscles upon muscles; he’s strong but still not too bulky. Tattoos are scattered over his skin, bright in the darkness.

Okay, maybe I peeked.

He brings his arms beside me, his palms resting on the bark over my head. He bends closer, his breath floating over my face, at the same time gently pulls the hat from my head. It floats to the ground soundlessly and my hair flows down my back.The heat from his body works its way through my clothes even though he remains an inch away. Not far enough, yet not close enough.