Page 31 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)

Saturday evening, Gladstone

The night air was warmer than usual, and Jonah chose to enjoy Luna’s light a bit longer after Nick took Gray home to bed.

With only a couple exceptions, the transformation process had been an enjoyable, laid-back retreat from their busy lives as RJ’s body changed.

Losing a large number of his teeth on the second day made eating difficult, but they were thankful to get that over with in a single event.

Jonah got a small taste of what it was like to look after someone while they were vulnerable, the way Perdy had faithfully cared for him during his heats. He would treasure the memories of this time with RJ, and Jonah looked at him with the love and devotion only mated couples understood.

There was nothing outwardly different about his appearance yet, though Jack and Sergio told him there would be after his first shift back to human form.

Mostly subtle changes were expected, such as more muscle definition, additional face and body hair, and the absence of wrinkles, scars, or blemishes.

Had he been turned by an Alpha or an Omega, more dramatic alterations would take place, but being bitten by a Beta meant only people who knew him well as a human would notice anything at all.

Now in the habit of checking his mate’s fever, Jonah lay a hand on RJ’s forehead.

For the first time since the bite, his mate wasn’t abnormally warm at all.

A deep scenting confirmed that the transformation was complete.

The man began to stir just as Jack, Evan, and Donna arrived at the meadow.

Jonah announced what they’d already detected.

“The fever is gone!”

RJ’s eyes glowed amber as he opened them to see Jonah as an equal for the first time.

The others waited quietly, giving them this precious moment without interruption.

RJ growled through a passionate kiss, eager to know his mate inside and out.

First, however, there was an important piece of business to take care of, and he pulled back to speak directly to Evan.

“I don’t want to wait until morning. Can I shift now?”

Evan gave him a wide, understanding smile.

“Of course, as soon as Ben and the others get here.”

RJ went back to snuggling with Jonah while Evan opened the mind-link, alerting his mate and asking him to call the others.

Lance agreed to come over and watch the kids while Ben and Evan were out of the house, and Erin and Sergio arrived at the meadow just as Ben and Evie walked up.

She was sleep-tousled and in her jammies, but the little pixie had made her dada promise that she could be there to see RJ shift.

Now surrounded by his packmates and bathed in moonbeams, Sergio gave RJ final instructions.

“The shift will happen so fast that you won’t have time to be afraid. You may feel clumsy in your new body at first, but your wolf will know what to do. After a few minutes, Ben will force you to shift back, and then you can practice on your own so you know how to do it.”

RJ nodded his understanding, and Jonah, who would remain in human form for now, helped his mate disrobe and get down on all fours in the soft grass. This was a first for everyone here, and the moment wasn’t lost on Ben—happy for his packmate and friend.

“RJ, SHIFT! ”

Seconds later, a striking gray-black wolf swayed on four legs, whining uncertainly at his mate. Jonah kissed his head and hugged him.

“You’re beautiful, and I’m so proud! Let your wolf do what he wants and I’ll be right here if you need me.”

RJ tried out his legs first, walking, then trotting around the meadow with his new nose in the air.

It wasn’t long before he threw back his head for a full-throated howl, eliciting laughter from his packmates.

Next, he gave Jonah a thorough scenting, interspersed with slobbery licks to the face and neck.

His mate didn’t mind at all, ecstatic to see RJ experiment with his lupine senses.

Evie clapped her hands at the excited new wolf, pointing out his luxurious coat.

“Look! RJ has a lot more dark fur than we do. He’s so pretty!”

The others chuckled at her observation, though it was true.

While all gray wolves had areas of white and rust-colored fur, RJ’s coat contained more dark gray and black.

He was quite striking in appearance, and would definitely be noticed among his packmates—blending well among the trees, yet standing out in the snow like Jack did.

Otherwise, he conformed to the normal size and shape of all Gray wolves.

Once RJ settled down, he stood next to Jonah—tail wagging and head cocked at Ben, who ordered him to shift once more. Now in his new and improved human body, he pulled Jonah in for kisses, and turned to Sergio for advice on how to shift for himself.

“In your head, focus energy and thoughts on your animal side. Picture yourself as a wolf. He’ll know what you want and the shift will follow. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes first. Try it!”

RJ followed the instructions and his wolf happily returned, visiting each person in the meadow for a quick scenting. He ended up at Jonah’s side and reappeared in his human skin with a wide smile.

“That is so cool! Jo, can we go for a run? My wolf wants to play with you.”

Donna and Sergio agreed, with the proviso that they eat before and after to prevent RJ from crashing later. RJ put his clothes back on and after hugs and thanks all around, walked home with his mate to fuel their nocturnal explorations.

#############

The next morning, Sunday, September 5th

Someone was growling in his bed.

Nick awoke to find Gray playing the big spoon and rumbling sexily in his ear.

The man was warm but no longer feverish, indicating a completed transformation.

He gently wriggled free to turn and get a first glimpse of the former human, breathing deeply of his altered scent.

Long hair tousled and eyes closed, this image was one to remember, and Nick created a special place for it in his heart and mind.

The human barrier had been removed, and they were on the threshold of a lifelong adventure without limits.

Noticing the loss of contact and body heat, Gray began to stir.

His eyes opened and a smile appeared when he realized that his mate hadn’t gone far.

Nick kissed him, rolling them over with Gray on top and between his legs.

Seconds later Gray was on fire; his new senses noticing every detail and a heady mix of pheromones in the air.

The growling returned as they frotted, and Nick reached between them to wrap both cocks in a firm grip.

As orgasm approached, Nick realized he wanted something else.

“Not enough! I need you in me.”

Though loath to stop what they were doing, Gray complied by snatching the lube from the nightstand.

Nick lifted his legs for easy access, and Gray inserted two long fingers coated with slick.

It didn’t take long to prepare him, and at Nick’s urging, he greased up his dick to fill his mate with one smooth stroke.

Alive with sensation, Gray noticed a difference in their vigorous lovemaking, while his mind filled with animalistic fervor.

Whatever this was, Nick demanded even more.

“Harder! Faster! Let your wolf go, babe.”

Though Gray heard the words, he didn’t quite comprehend what his mate was telling him.

An odd presence in his head did, and his body responded with a surge of passion that dwarfed everything they’d done thus far.

Nick’s muscular body shook with the pounding as he thrashed and cried out in bliss.

While the climax built, Gray reached down to caress his mate’s nipples and Nick fell headlong over the cliff with growly shouts.

Muscles contracted and cum sprayed from Nick’s untouched cock, soaking belly and chest, while Gray pumped the man’s beautiful ass full of his own spunk.

Almost like a daydream, his mind conjured up a crystal-clear image of a contented wolf, languorously stretched out with tongue lolling off to the side over sharp teeth.

Gray ignored it for the moment to focus on his thoroughly debauched mate—skin flushed and sweaty as he pulled Gray down for sweet kisses.

They didn’t last long, as Nick’s incredible scent called to him and Gray fixated on his mate’s neck instead.

Licks and nibbles glided over warm flesh, both smooth and rough with whiskers, invading his nose and mouth with an intoxicating aroma, texture, and flavor.

Gray noticed with a start that they were both growling, and Nick chuckled when Gray pulled back to give him a quizzical look.

“You know what’s happened, don’t you?”

The pieces finally fell into place, and Gray understood all the odd signals he’d been getting.

“My wolf! It’s done? I’m a shifter now?”

Nick kissed him soundly before answering.

“Yes, you are. Welcome to my world, mate. It may take a while to get used to him in your head, but when you’re in wolf form, he has to do the same. I grew up with it, so I don’t know what it’s like to be only one or the other.

“After we get cleaned up and eat, I’ll text Ben and Dante to let them know, and you’ll have your first shift. I can’t wait to see your wolf!”

############

Ninety minutes later

To avoid drawing a crowd, Gray’s turning was quietly arranged behind Donna’s house—one of the few homes with a relatively private backyard.

Given their unique status as a pack of their own, Dante, Sergio and Nick would handle this event.

Ben, Evan, Evie, Jack, Donna, and Erin joined them to offer support on Gladstone’s behalf.

Upon arrival, they found Gray trembling in Nick’s strong arms, stressed and afraid. Bad enough to strip naked in front of strangers, but to change into a wolf? He didn’t regret his decision to become a shifter, but now that the moment arrived to actually do it , his nerves got the better of him.