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JACOB

W hile I knew this might not be easy for Kelly, I hadn’t expected this much resistance from her. She looked on the verge of jumping out of her skin. Every soft sound or caress of the wind had her on edge. Perhaps I could’ve let her shift in my home gym, but I thought being in nature would help. Instead, it was doing the opposite.

“Look at me, babe. I’m here with you.” I lifted her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Talk to me.”

Those wolf amber eyes of hers were wide with fear, almost feral. “It’s… I just don’t know if this is a great idea.” Her gaze darted past my shoulder when another owl hooted.

“Are you afraid? I won’t let anything happen to you. We’re safe here.” My wolf howled its frustration at Kelly’s fear. We were more than capable of protecting our mate. Why didn’t she believe in us? Each minute that passed had the beast scrambling to stretch its legs and roam.

“Yeah. I just… I’m not comfortable in nature like you.”

I swiped a hand over my face, feeling my agitation rise. Part of me contemplated shifting, but if I did, I worried my wolf might take control and dominate her like last time. The last thing I needed was to add to her anxiety. “It takes time. I’m right here. Just put your hands on the ground and focus on your wolf.”

Once she was in position again, I ran my hand over her back in soothing strokes. The sting of power radiating from her told me she was trying, but she remained in human form for several seconds. At last, her spine bowed, and she let out a pained cry as bones broke and reshaped while her muscles lengthened. Her cries transformed into a long, mournful howl.

The sound hurt my heart. I withdrew a little, scooting back to give her space. White fur rippled over her wolf’s body while her face contorted into a muzzle. The urge to bury my fingers in it was tempting, but I wanted to keep my hand in one piece. Still, she needed help from someone more capable and patient than me. She needed the Pack. I couldn’t keep her to myself, not if it risked her safety or sanity like this.

After another minute, her shift completed, and she sank into a long downward dog stretch. Her fluid motions continued as she stretched her hind legs, then she glanced at me and tilted her head to the side. It seemed like she was confused. Her ears swiveled like satellites, tracking distant sounds.

I reached out my hand to pet her, but she jerked her head in the stream’s direction. Was she asking me to race still? Before I could ask, she took off running through the trees.

“Cheater.” But I chuckled. It wouldn’t take long for me to shift and catch up. I knew my limits. I’d win this round.

Pressing my hands to the forest floor, I braced as my beast surged through me, tearing at my insides. The pain of him stretching outward and crunching through my human form to break and reshape me almost shattered my focus on listening for Kelly, but my resistance was non-existent to him. We’d worked through enough that I knew I could give in and let him loose… most of the time at least.

After a few moments to stretch out the soreness, I took off after her, careful to remain quiet. Up ahead, Kelly was barreling through the brush, spooking small animals all around us in her fervor to win. My longer legs and powerful muscles ate up the ground in her wake, but I wanted her to think she could win. I’d stalk just long enough.

The tinkling stream lay up ahead, and I circled around, putting on a burst of speed to leap out at her from the side. When she neared it and could almost taste her victory, I barreled into her, sending us both flying.

A vicious snarl ripped from her throat and pointed fangs clamped down on my shoulder.

Shit. Not play… Instinct.

My wolf let out a rumbling growl. With a sharp twist of my body, I wrenched free, throwing her from me. She yelped as her body skidded across the leaves. Did I hurt her? The thought of shifting back to human form and apologizing hovered in my thoughts.

But she rolled to her feet, coming up fast on all fours. Her hackles stood up, tail stiff. Her slight frame shook with aggression. I’d messed up bad.

I crouched, lowering my head. It wasn’t exactly a sign of submission, but an apology. Would she understand? That I wasn’t sure of. Please know I didn’t mean it.

Kelly’s wolf stood straighter, her head held high in an almost dominant pose. My mind churned through possible meanings of what she was trying to say, but I couldn’t be sure. All I saw for certain was the flicker of lingering confusion in her eyes. Then she lunged.

My muscles tensed, ready to defend myself. If I had to, I could?—

A warm, wet tongue swiped over the end of my muzzle, tickling my nose.

The playful gesture froze me in my tracks. What the…?

And then she let out a playful yip before she dashed toward the trees, tail swishing in a playful wag as she ran. With a backward glance, her bark finally shook me from my thoughts.

Oh, I see how it is. It’s on, babe. My chest rumbled in a purr as I sprang after her. She could run, but I’d find her. Always.

And if she thought we were getting any sleep tonight, she was in for a rude awakening.