Page 12 of X-Clan The Origin

I nibbled my lip. The suppressant didn’t just quell my Omega instincts and heat; it calmed my wolf. Which meant I might not be able to shift if I injected myself now.

And I couldn’t exactly take the serum with me in my mouth. That would be dangerous for a lot of reasons. I would likely need my teeth to break through that horde of Infected outside.

Shit.

Jonas was right. I needed to shift—something I wouldn’t have been able to easily do right now had I taken my inoculation this morning. So perhaps my doubt was a result of fate.

But this put me in a complicated situation.

One that would likely reveal my identity to Jonas.

“Riley.” The growl in his voice told me he wouldn’t be asking again. If I didn’t start obeying, he’d take over.

And I would only have myself to blame for whatever came next.

I’m so fucked,I thought as I started unbuttoning my blouse.

Jonas had already shucked off his pants and shoes, his groin barely covered by a scrap of black boxer shorts.

I tried not to stare.

And failed.

Because he really was an impressive specimen.

Yeah, really, really, really fucked,I clarified to myself.

Because my inner wolf was practically panting already, and I wasn’t even in heat yet.

I didn’t have much of an option. I could confide the truth and admit my Omega status, but it would do nothing to save us from this current situation. If anything, it would make things worse.

Right, then. Shift. Run. Find shelter. Hide.

And pray my heat didn’t kick in before we reached our final destination.

Wherever that might be.

Cursing under my breath, I finished stripping while Jonas observed with an unreadable stare. It was on the tip of my tongue to snap at him again, but I swallowed the urge.

He was right—I needed to let him do his job.

Sighing, I called upon my inner animal and gave her the freedom to take over. She eagerly agreed, my limbs bending on instinct as the shift overwhelmed my being.

Jonas didn’t move, his icy gaze on me the whole time.

And still entirely unreadable.

My animal ignored him, instead stretching and shivering at the sensation of being in control after several months of suppressing my need to shift.

Jonas squatted, his gaze meeting mine. “Are you going to be able to run?”

I snorted at him.Of course I can run.

“It’s obvious you haven’t shifted in a while,” he added, his hand lifting as though to touch me. But he dropped his palm before he reached my head.

If I could frown, I would.Obvious how?Is there something wrong with my fur?I glanced down at my legs and found smooth reddish-brown fur. I danced around to test my balance and felt sturdy on my paws.

I supposed I was a little thin.