Page 21

I t shattered Chanin to see and feel what Morlie endured. The bond the claim established between them now allowed them to communicate without words and share each other's feelings and emotions to a certain degree.

The searing pain that ripped through Morlie hovered like a shadow within Chanin.

He knew where Morlie’s pain happened in her body, but for him, it was akin to a bee sting, small flashes of an ache, but something that would not stop him from functioning.

However, the mental part was different. As his mate reacted to her bones snapping, stretching, and restructuring in a way foreign to her, her screams and moans, even while she lay in a relief-driven semi-conscious state, sliced through him with the precision of an assassin’s blade—lethal and accurate.

Chanin held her tighter. He locked his arms and legs around Morlie, exerting enough strength to create steel bindings to hold her together, at least emotionally, if not physically.

I’m here, mate. I’m here. The words didn’t come from his mouth but from his soul.

He needed to calm not only the woman but her wolf.

The first shift was fucking hell. Even for a cub, lupine born, the fear of the change was more profound than what happened to the body.

Morlie’s panic and terror of the unknown caused her mind to wage war with her body.

It would stretch over an hour for a youth on their first shift.

Their parents would be there to show them and mentally guide them along the way.

It was tough but not the mind-bending excruciating pain human adults experienced when claimed and made.

It would still be long hours before Morlie’s body accepted it and allowed her beast to emerge.

Morlie ground her teeth and whimpered. In the dim light of the room, he could see the muscles in her narrow jaw bulging and flexing.

Her mouth was locked so tight, and he feared her shattering the bones in the lower half of her face.

She’d heal, but he didn’t want her to inflict more harsh injuries on herself unnecessarily.

Breathe, little bunny, don’t fight it.

He ran his lips across her soft skin and slowly licked along his mark on her shoulder.

Not to seal it, he’d already done that when his bite was complete, and he’d transferred his essence into her.

Now, he bathed her to soothe her. The mark that would remain for eternity was a contact point, a live wire to her core—the connection that linked their souls.

Yes, the part of her brain still awake could hear his words, pick up on his gentle urgings, and take commands from her Alpha, him. However, he laved the skin, only sensitive to his touch; it would allow her wolf to accept the reassurance and guidance from his.

It is worse for humans who got bit by a careless shifter and left to fend for themselves. It could cause them to go mad. The insanity of the duality of the mental split, while their form was reconfigured, often killed them. Only the strongest of humans survived.

Chanin didn’t doubt Morlie’s strength. Hell, no.

The Great Spirit had seen fit to pair her with an Alpha; he knew she was a fighter, that a true lupine warrior lived within her.

However, there was still that danger that something would go wrong, that her human mind would resist, the change would take too long, and he’d lose her.

No. With a fierce determination, his beast growled, a firm declaration he refused to allow it to happen.

Chanin felt the same, which was the reason he’d remain by her side. Until the shift was complete, he’d not leave her under any circumstances.

As Alpha, he had the ability to connect with anyone within his pack, even in his human form, as long as that shifter’s mental shields sat low and within a specific range.

As wolves, their mental communication was more accessible and flowed with ease.

However, those in his family he could always connect to.

Even though his assistant wasn’t blood or mate, he could still reach out to her.

Because of Rudie’s position in the pack and she’d imprinted on him when he saved her, Chanin had marked her.

Not in the same way he had his mate, but Rudie carried a small bite on her wrist where he’d claimed her as a family—a child or younger sibling. It had been her ask, and he’d been proud to grant it.

Rudie .

Chanin knew he wouldn’t wait long because his assistant was an early riser.

Even though there was only a sliver of light around the edges of the blinds, lupines always knew the time of day, not because of the sun but the lunar pulls.

Even with the moon still hidden behind thick, purple layers of gases and chemicals tainting and filling the gaps of the ruptured ozone layer, thanks to the human’s selfish destruction of over eighty-five percent of greenhouse gases that triggered the natural great catastrophes that instigated their global nuclear wars, lupines still knew every phase of the moon within the day and on the lunar calendar.

Alpha . Your guests already cleared out of the territory before sunrise. I’m on my way to collect the overnight security report and then bring it to you and the Beta. Unless you believe your mate wants something else, I’m considering preparing a rabbit hash this morning.

Unable to help the small smile, he heard the efficient yet prattling voice of the runt. There was a breathiness to it, and he knew it had more to do with her anxious exuberance than her being winded from fast steps.

Silence, runt. The moon has yet to sleep, and I’ve had a long night. Morlie has begun the change.

What do you need from me, Alpha? The pack’s hierarchy acumen and respect for his position filled Rudie’s tone.

Inform Bleddyn first so he can take command of the pack. Follow his lead. If any news of Farkas arises, let me know immediately. Outside of that, no disturbance.

Morlie began to buck as her arms flailed and her fists punched out at the air, striking against the invisible conductor of her pain.

He wrestled with her until he could grab her tight fists in his hands and squeeze. He pulled them back to her chest and held her.

Shielding his thoughts to Morlie off from Rudie, he whispered , It’s okay. You’re okay.

Rudie remained silent, patiently waiting for his final instructions. This evening, Morlie will need sustenance. Have a feast prepared before the evening rise.

He knew his assistant understood what he meant. It was what the pack did for every wolf after their first shift. It was necessary.

Yes, Alpha. There was a pause before Rudie’s voice filled his mind again. How is she?

The fact that Rudie asked, he knew his assistant, his young family member, had a fondness for Morlie even though his mate had only been with them a short time. In all the months he had fucked Minsi, Rudie had only inquired if she was gone before she came to the house.

She’s strong and will pull through. He would have loved to declare Morlie was well, but even now, shivers and cold sweat tortured her body. He tilted his head down and parted his lips to breathe heat along the top of her spine.

There wasn’t a need to release Morlie long enough to pull the blanket over her because the fever would take her soon enough.

She is a fighter. It was evident in her eyes and how she gripped the rock, ready to bash into Minsi’s skull. Regardless that the bitch was stronger.

Rudie . Chanin shook his head. Not because he would have wanted to see his old lover struck, but it was clear the runt picked a side and championed a victory for Morlie. Rudie’s tone showed confidence that his mate would be her avenger against the fierce she-wolf.

I know, I know, Minsi is still pack .

He chuckled at his assistant’s mocking tone.

He’d repeatedly said those words to Rudie as they related to Minsi's role in the pack and his life.

There was no longer a place for Minsi personally but as a pack member, even if Minsi fought against what she considered a demotion in rank.

Rudie was right in one aspect: one day soon, Morlie would have to face off with Minsi.

His mate had to prove she was the strongest female lupine in the pack or lose the respect of his people, even as she remained his through eternity.

You have work to do, runt.

I’m on it, Alpha. Take care of her.

Chanin raised his mental shield, ending their communication. He didn’t need anyone to tell him to care for Morlie. She was his mate, and he would destroy the world to protect her if needed.

A soft moan slipped from Morlie’s lips as heat spread over her body, drenching her petite form and causing hot rivers to form and travel through her skin. She went limp.

He released her and shifted away to allow her body to recline on the bed.

He leaned over her and lapped the pool of sweat collected in the dip above her collarbone.

Prepared to lick every steaming droplet from her skin, he drew his tongue down her arm toward her hand.

There was an herbaceous taste now complementing the usual sweetness of her skin.

She was changing. Her musky violet and vanilla notes saturated the room, combined with his scent and the nefarious aroma of sex, so much sex; it held an earthy wildness to it now.