Page 54 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

D reams do come true. Right at this moment, as he kisses me beneath the glittering lights on my birthday, I am the luckiest girl in the world.

This moment is magical, just like every other moment is with him.

I grip onto his jacket tightly, not wanting him to move away as I kiss him back.

My entire body is alight with emotions I have no name for.

The eyes of the world could be on us, and I really wouldn’t care.

The Sienna Rossi who wanted to disappear into the background is no longer here.

This Sienna Rossi wants the world to see me in his arms, to show every single person he’s mine, and above all, for him and me to make this completely real.

We don’t need to hide. Why should we hide?

The moment I suck in a breath, he pulls away, ever so slightly, enough to let me breathe but still close enough for his lips to brush against mine tantalisingly.

He says my emotions are chaotic, but so are his; the way his heart is pounding in his chest.

I smile softly. I can hear everything better.

My senses have heightened, and I know I will get my wolf because I can feel her presence in my mind, and when I shift for the first time, my senses will awaken completely.

But right now, I can tell from his shaky breath and his pounding heart that he isn’t as calm as he usually is.

“What the…” Himari’s sharp voice makes me snap out of this beautiful moment. My cheeks heat as I feel all the eyes on me, but when I keep my eyes on Jayce’s, it doesn’t feel hard to be the centre of attention. In fact, I’m not even going to bother to acknowledge them.

He’s mine, he’s with me, he cares for me, and I him. Allison and Himari are not worth it. I wrap my arms around Jayce’s waist, and he pulls me even closer, his arms firmly around me, kissing the top of my head.

“What the hell is going on?” Tatum murmurs, and I turn my head to see him standing beside Ahren, who is watching me with red eyes. Creepy… no – remember the image of him eating cookies! Yes, not creepy.

“Don’t ask,” Ahren says, his tone displeased. Tatum’s frown deepens as he watches me before Heaven goes over to them.

“Lighten up, both of you.”

“You knew,” Tatum states, his brows practically becoming one.

“Yeah, and?” Heaven raises an eyebrow before she purposely pushes Allison aside.

The older girl glares at her, but I notice her face is sheet white, her lips pressed together; our eyes meet fleetingly before Heaven stops, spinning on her heels to face her and Himari.

She snaps her fingers. “Security, escort these two back to the Academy. Anyone who insults the birthday girl doesn’t deserve to remain at her birthday party. Now.”

Heaven’s order doesn’t go unnoticed, and Allison’s eyes flash as two warriors from our pack make their way through the crowds towards us.

“We’ll escort you back,” one of them says.

Himari stares at Heaven angrily, but Heaven isn’t fazed as she watches security remove the girls from the party.

“The plagues are gone. What a relief,” Allie says as she pats Tatum’s shoulder lightly. “Cheer up.”

I can see some of our division looks shocked as they eye me and Jayce. Artemis is whispering something to Brock and Ares, a smile on her face, and Shahira is staring wide-eyed at me.

Blushing, I look up at my man. I’ll face them tomorrow. Tonight is my night. “Want to dance?” I ask, gazing into those gorgeous green eyes.

I’ve never seen Jayce dance, and I’m preparing myself for his no when he speaks.

“Sure.”

Smiling, I don’t bother masking my surprise as I lock my arms around his neck and he automatically takes hold of my waist, tugging me close. My core clenches as I feel his manhood against my lower stomach.

Oh, gods, do I want him in every way.

The song changes to a slower one, and the lights dim.

I don’t know if that was on purpose, but I’m not going to complain.

I hear Allie saying, ‘Nothing to see here,’ and everyone slowly moves away.

Some start dancing with their partners, others walk off the dance floor, and I rest my head against Jayce’s neck, inhaling his scent as I enjoy this precious moment, brushing my lips up his neck…

“Alright, guys, enjoy! We’ll be back in a few!” Ahren says as he motions for me to follow. The last few hours were great. We partied hard. I spent the evening mostly with the girls and Jayce, and it passed by quickly. I’ve just finished eating when Ahren motions to me that it’s time.

Time to step under the moonlight and shift – or confirm that I can.

“Come on,” Heaven says, giving me a small smile as if she knows exactly how I’m feeling. “You’re going to be fine.”

I nod. “I think I do have a wolf.”

“I think you do too,” Allie agrees. I spot Jayce standing with Ahren and Tatum. Ahren is frowning slightly, but he’s talking perfectly fine with him despite the frown. I’m glad he didn’t lose his shit over this. They are friends after all, and I don’t want them to have a falling out because of me.

I’m nervous as we step out into the side garden. There’s a fountain and some trees, a bench and plenty of flowers. It’s not huge, but the moon is shining down clearly, and I feel the hum of power whisper through me by simply standing beneath it.

It’s silent out here, aside from the sound of the rustling leaves. No sound from inside escapes out here, and it’s so peaceful. I glance at Jayce, and he gives me a small nod.

I got this.

Time to see my wolf form.

“Here.” Ahren holds out a white cloak and motions for me to go behind a tree.

Heaven responds with a whispered spell, and, suddenly, there’s a white mist surrounding me, giving me extra privacy.

I thank her before making my way behind the thickest tree here and slowly removing my clothes.

My hands are shaking slightly as I place my skirt on the ground and then my panties.

Then everything else follows. I remove my jewellery last and place it on top of the pile before placing the white cloak around my shoulders.

“Ready?” Tatum asks as I walk over to the opening.

“As I could ever be,” I answer shakily.

Jayce walks over to me. Placing two fingers under my chin, he tilts my head up. “You got this.”

Ahren scoffs but gives me the thumbs up. I glance at Heaven and Allie, who are both standing there solemnly.

This is a big moment for every werewolf who comes of age. I swallow hard and breathe in and out heavily to calm my nerves.

“Let yourself go and will with your mind to change,” Ahren advises, his voice soft as I close my eyes and focus.

A confidence that is far too strong to be mine surges through me, and then I’m shifting, a moment of agonising pain – but it’s so fast I barely register, and then my view of everything is changing.

Power rushes through me as deep red fur sprouts from my body, and then I’m howling into the night as my paws hit the ground. A tail longer than a normal wolf’s flicks around me, and Ahren chuckles.

I look up at the moon, feeling the powerful pull towards it.

My wolf respects the Goddess, and so do I. For the first time in my life, I feel closer to her.

Ahren is the first to come over to me, placing his hand on my head.

Hello sister. His voice comes into my mind, and my heart skips a beat.

The mind-link! Oh, this is going to be fun!

What colour eyes do I have? I ask, and his eyes soften.

The colour you wished for.

My heart pounds. Green… like Dad’s. I turn to look at my fur, it’s gorgeous… My eyes find Jayce, who is smiling softly.

“You’re beautiful,” Heaven murmurs, her eyes wide. “Exquisite”

“You’re unique, and unlike Ahren’s demon wolf, yours looks sexy,” Allie adds.

“Have I done something to hurt you?” Ahren asks Allie with narrowed eyes, and I smile as I walk around the garden, ignoring their banter, leaping forward and skimming over the fountain before I turn and run around, enjoying how fast and good this feels.

There’s a calmness in me, one that is encompassed with strength.

Oh, I’d love to go for a proper run, I sigh wistfully.

“Maybe later you can do a few rounds around the Academy premises. I’m sure they’ll allow it since it’s your first shift, and you can’t exactly do that out in the woods,” Ahren says, glancing at Jayce.

“I can arrange that.” Jayce nods.

Hmm, I have other plans for later…

My tail swishes as I watch Jayce, tilting my head. I bet his wolf would look good with mine. Black and red…

After a few minutes of enjoying my wolf form, I pad over to the group.

Well, you guys go inside. I’m going to shift back, I say through the mind-link.

Ahren nods. “Heaven, take her clothes for her. Let’s head inside. You can get dressed in the bathroom.”

I nod as Heaven obeys, and the boys lead the way inside, Jayce stopping to hold the door open for me. I brush past him and enter the hall. Things look so different in wolf form… and my sight is so much more enhanced.

“I’ll wait outside for you,” Jayce says softly.

I nod before Heaven opens the door to the nearest bathroom, and I enter. She places my clothes down, smiling. “Your eyes are just like Uncle’s,” she says softly.

Our eyes meet, and she gives me a hug before leaving the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

I take a deep breath and focus on shifting. I feel the change, a moment of pain, and then I’m in human form again.

“Whoa…” I smile as I look down at my legs and pad over to the huge mirrors. Suddenly, I freeze, staring at my hands. Where my nails were around an inch long earlier, pretty and glittering, they are now a deep red, the same shade as my fur, and are about two inches long from base to tip.

I look up in the mirror. Staring back at me is me, but gone are my grey eyes. My face looks slimmer, my nose is smaller, and my lashes are longer.

My demon form.

Odd. I didn’t even realise I shifted to it.

I shake my head and take a deep breath, focusing on changing back. I close my eyes and will myself to my normal self. I open my eyes, but staring back are the same red eyes.

“What is going on?” I whisper, confused, as I try again.

Ok, calm down and breathe…

My wolf is alert, but aside from that, she’s calm. I try for a second time, but once again, nothing happens. I put my nail in my mouth and bite down on it, flinching as pain jars through my teeth, but my nail remains intact. They aren’t even returning to normal.

I take a deep breath and force myself to shift. Bones crack, searing pain – and I’m in wolf form again.

No, no… human form.

I take another breath and shift back, trying to empty my mind as I focus on my normal self. I look in the mirror only to see red eyes staring back at me.

I can’t stay like this! I know what this form does to people who are not mated. I’ve seen the way they desire me, the way they can get turned on. I shudder at the thought of somehow being stuck like this and try again.

And again.

And again.

Nothing.

From wolf to demon form, to wolf and then back to demon form. My heart thumps, and the knock on the door makes me jump.

“Sienna? You ok?” Heaven’s voice comes.

“Y-yeah,” I answer. Even my voice has changed. Tears sting my eyes as panic begins to rise, and I try to sound as normal as possible. “You guys go ahead; I just need to fix up,” I lie.

“Ok, you sure?” Allie asks.

“Yes,” I answer, my heart in my throat. Gods help me.

But no matter what god I think of, nothing changes the form I’m stuck in. I get dressed with shaking hands, staring at my reflection. A part of me wants to flaunt how I look. The demon part…

I don’t want to go out there. I don’t have my phone. Should I call Ahren?

“Jayce?” I call softly.

No answer.

My heart thuds as I pull open the door and look around. I can’t see him, but I can smell him. Inhaling deeply, I find myself seeking him out, my heels in hand. I can hear the music now, even though it’s faint; I keep focusing on Jayce’s scent.

I’m led to a lounge where I can see he’s sitting on the sofa looking at his shirt, which has a wet stain, and his jacket is draped over an armchair across the room.

“Jayce.”

“Hey, sorry, I had to step aside. Some drunk idiot dropped their drinks all over me.”

“I can dry it for you,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

He looks up sharply, concern flooding his eyes as I step inside, closing the door.

“Sienna…” he trails off, his eyes flashing blue, and I see the familiar hunger in them; my eyes instantly fall to his pants, where he’s obviously semi-hard.

No – please tell me I can shift back. I don’t mind having this effect on him, but not everyone.

“I can’t shift back,” I blurt out as he stands, and I rush to him. He takes hold of me by my arms as he sits down, and I drop to my knees in front of him, my eyes blurring with tears. “I don’t know why. I can’t even get rid of these!” I hold up my nails, and he takes my hands.

“Maybe it’s just a temporary thing, don’t let it get to you,” he says quietly, looking at my nails, but his brows are furrowed.

“No, Jayce, you know what this does. Being in this form – the way people look at me, like I’m an object! I need to shift!” Panic begins rising through me, and Jayce cups my face.

“Hey, look at me.” His soothing tone makes me suck in a breath, and I obey.

“What you look like and what it does is not on you. You’re beautiful in every single form, Darling. Don’t ever forget that.”

“But why can’t I shift back?” I whisper.

He shakes his head. He doesn’t have the answer to that. Feeling hopeless, I lower my head, and he cups my face, touching his forehead to mine. “We’ll figure it out; we’ll figure it all out. I promise.”

I look up at him, suddenly realising he was late, and now that I look beyond his gorgeous features, there’s an emotion in his eyes that I can’t read…

“Jayce, why were you late? What happened?” I whisper.

“It’s… nothing for you to worry about,” he murmurs. I want to argue, but when he places his lips against my forehead, I realise he doesn’t want to talk about it, and I’ll respect that.

“Jayce…” I murmur.

“Yeah?”

“Take me home.”