by Anthology
“First…” He ran a hand through his hair as he looked down at her. “I have to apologize. You’ve got to know that I didn’t mean to deceive you. I didn’t think you would understand if I told you I was a werecat. It’s not something I go around telling people. And I have my sister to protect. I tried to stay away from you, but after the wolves gave you trouble, I knew you needed my protection, dubious as it is.”
She tried to speak, but succeeded only in creating a yowling kind of noise that didn’t sound very pretty.
“Ah hell.” He crouched down in front of her again. “I picked a hell of a time to tell you this. Especially when you can’t talk back.” A smile quirked his lips. “Maybe that’s why I’m saying it now, huh? So you can’t argue with me and tell me what a jerk I was.”
She licked his hand, hoping he’d understand. He turned his hand to caress her neck again and she thought maybe he did. He got to his feet slowly.
“Now, watch and feel the energies as I shift. Most of our young have years to watch the members of their Clans change and learn, but you have only tonight. Watch closely, Lindsey. You’ll have to change back before morning, or you might be locked in cougar form for the rest of your life.”
She perked up, worried now, but he shook his head.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you that. I know it’s harsh, but it’s the truth. The first time you shift is the most important. You need to know so you’ll work hard at regaining your human form when the time comes. I’ll be there with you, but you have to do it on your own. I can’t do it for you.”
She nodded her head up and down though the motion felt jerky and somewhat drunken in her cat form. He seemed to understand, nodding before he started to shift. She felt the energies gather, watching the way he started shifting—from his toes to the top of his head. She imagined he was doing it extra slow for her, so she could see every moment, but still it went by awfully fast.
She was a little shocked when he stopped after he’d changed almost all the way and reversed the process. She watched avidly, trying to store away her impressions of the process for when it came time for her to do it. He stood before her, human, huge and naked, and smiled.
“I almost forgot.” He moved toward the opening to the sweat lodge and ducked in, dousing the fire as she watched. “We won’t be coming back here until tomorrow at the earliest,” he said as he came back out. “Anything in your house I need to do before we go?”
She shook her big head negatively, and he smiled. “Good. Now watch. Shifting takes up a lot of energy. I’ve been doing it for quite a long time, so I can shift back and forth several times a day with no strain, but when you first start out, shifting just once will tax you. That’s why you have to get your first one right.”
With that, he shifted form again and she watched, fascinated as the bones compressed and fur sprouted. His ears elongated and his hands and feet reformed into huge paws. He was bigger than any wild mountain lion, and so much more beautiful, he nearly stole her breath.
When he was completely changed, he vocalized something that sounded to her like let’s go. He nudged her with his chin and she began to move toward the woods, watching the way he moved and trying to copy him. He went slow at first, letting her get a feel for her new legs and paws, but she was getting more and more comfortable the farther they went.
When they reached a moonlit clearing, he opened up with the speed and she followed behind, only a little bit slower. She exhilarated in the freedom and the speed she had in this form, running happily after him. He looped back and snapped at her heels playfully a time or two, making her laugh inside while her new vocal chords made some odd sounds that she couldn’t quite control as yet. Her spirit was free in a way it had never been before.
Chapter Six
Grif watched her run and knew she was experiencing the euphoria of her first change. It was something he remembered well from his own first time. It was a special time, but it was also a very dangerous time. If she couldn’t change back before the sun rose, she could lose her human side forever.
And he would lose the human half of his mate.
For that’s what he now knew she was beyond the shadow of a doubt. She was his. He’d known it from the moment he’d seen her in that diner and now the Lady had put the seal on her fate. She was were now. There was nothing standing in his way now that she was like him. He could claim her, mate her, and truly make her part of his Clan.
And he would.
If only she could change back to her human form and prove that she really was strong enough to not lose her human side. He’d bet good money that if anyone had the strength to survive this harsh change from human to shifter, it was Lindsey. More than just her own future was riding on it. His future was tangled up with this small woman, and she essentially held both their lives in her hands.
As she began to tire, he nudged her toward his cabin. He wanted her there tonight, where he could watch her. He thought Belinda just might be of some help too. Belinda liked Lindsey already. His little sister would want to help.
Lindsey was exhilarated, but tired when she first scented the wood fire burning in the distance. The smell of horses came to her on the wind and she realized they were nearing a human dwelling with a barn. Judging by the direction and distance they’d traveled, she guessed he was gently directing her toward his cabin.
She’d be glad to rest, and maybe get a drink of water. She was thirsty after all the exertion. She was a fit woman, but their run across the meadow and through the woods had exercised muscles she’d never known before.
When she saw the cabin, her human side was impressed by the snug looking place nestled in the hills. It looked spacious and clean, glinting with big windows and the chimney on the roof gave off puffs of welcoming smoke from the fire that danced orange reflections in the window panes of the living room. Really, the word cabin wasn’t a very accurate description of the architectural dream she saw before her. It was more like a masterpiece. Two stories, with multi-level roofs, a porch and what looked to be very high-end construction. It was gorgeous.
Grif surprised her by striding right up to the door in his cat form, reaching up and hitting the special latch with one giant paw, and opening the door for her. He padded inside and waited until she cleared the door—tail included—before he nudged it closed behind them. He walked with her into the front room. Belinda was there, watching them with wide eyes.
The little girl sniffed the air delicately as her eyes widened. “Lindsey?” Her gaze shot to her brother. “Grif, what happened? Is that Lindsey?”
Grif padded over to his sister and nuzzled her hand, nudging her toward the kitchen area. She apparently understood his silent command because she took off for the kitchen, returning with a big pan of water a moment later and put it in front of Lindsey.
Lindsey was never so grateful to see a bowl of water than at that moment. Using her new, obscenely long tongue, she lapped at the water, but she was less than graceful. Belinda laughed outright, and the young girl’s laughter was infectious. Lindsey made a sort of snorting sound that passed for laughter, she guessed, while she was in this form, and the girl laughed louder.
“Oh Lindsey, I wish you could see yourself. You’re getting more water on the floor than in you.” Lindsey was glad to hear the amusement in the girl’s voice, even if it was at her expense. A moment later, Belinda reached out slowly to stroke Lindsey’s cheek. “It’s hard when you’re new, I know. But we’ll help you.”
Lindsey stroked her tongue gently across the girl’s hand in thanks as she giggled again. All this was worth it just to put a smile on Belinda’s too-serious face.
Grif nudged his sister with his head, growling something that the girl apparently understood because she got up and went out of the room once more. Grif stood in front of Lindsey, being certain she could see him as he shifted back to human form.
He was naked again, his skin glowing with the reflection from the fireplace, making her mouth even drier. Lord, the
man was built!
A worn pair of jeans sailed through the air, followed by the sound of little feet pounding up a set of stairs.
“I’ll dig up something for Lindsey to wear too,” Belinda called down from the top of the stairs as Grif tugged his jeans on, smiling a bit at his sister’s antics.
“Don’t mind the munchkin, Lindsey. She’s thrilled you’re here. And thrilled that you’re cougar now, I bet. She’s missed her sister and our mother.” His face hardened for a moment as he reached out to stroke her back. “I know you’re tired, but you have to try to change back now, sweetheart. It’ll be easier if you do it now, before you sleep off the run. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to reclaim your human half this first time.”
She licked his arm, hoping he knew that she didn’t regret a moment of this, even if she had to stay a cat for the rest of her life. She’d accomplished her goal and gotten more than she’d ever expected. The Great Spirit had been kind, letting her experience this freedom at least once in her life.
“Come on sweetheart. I know this is all new to you, but you have to try.” He lay down next to her in front of the fire and stroked her back as he encouraged her to shift. “Picture it in your mind. Imagine your human body and will yourself to change.”
She tried to do as he said, but her strength was fading fast. He moved in close to nuzzle his face into her neck and her ears twitched as he lifted up to whisper encouragement.
“I want you to change, Lindsey. I want you, Lindsey. Shift back so I can take you in my arms and show you how much.” His hands stroked her, digging into her fur and making her purr. “Do it for me, Lindsey. Do it for us.”
He continued to whisper encouragement and instructions as she gathered her energy for a last effort. It was now or never. She felt it. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life never knowing what it would feel like to be loved by this incredible man who treated her so gently, curbing his natural strength for her.
She gathered her energy and thought hard about what it had felt like to change that first time. She concentrated on her human form, willing it into existence and pushing the cougar down. It was odd, she realized, the cougar spirit was now a part of her, fighting for dominance, but she was stronger—just a fraction stronger, but it was enough.
Slowly she felt her bones begin to stretch and reform. It hurt like hell, but it was also a rapture that she couldn’t quite describe. The fur receded and her paws elongated into fingers and toes, her feet and hands reforming as she felt the bones in her legs lengthen. Her face itched, but it changed along with the rest of her, the effort leaving her drained in a way she’d never been before.
She felt more than saw Grif pull a soft throw off the couch and wrap her up in it as he lifted her in his strong arms. He carried her up the stairs and padded barefoot into a dark room. Her eyesight wasn’t as sharp as it had been as the cat, but it was definitely better than it had been before she’d changed.
She also smelled things differently, not as strongly as her senses were as a cougar, but definitely stronger than they’d been as a regular human. She scented him all over the room he took her to and she guessed it was his bedroom. He placed her gently on his bed, tucking her under the soft covers and placing a soft kiss on her lips as he straightened.
“I’m so proud of you, Lindsey. I know you’re beat. Sleep it off. I’ll be here when you wake and we can talk over everything that’s happened.” He stroked her hair back from her face as she fought the incredible lethargy that made it nearly impossible to talk. “Things will be different for you now, but don’t worry. I’ll be here to guide you through the changes, and Belinda will help too. You’re part of our Clan now, kitten. Under our protection. You don’t know what that all means yet, but you’ll understand soon, I promise. I’ll explain everything, but for now, you need to sleep. Don’t fight it.”
He crooned to her as she drifted off, but she didn’t really understand much after that. She only knew she felt safer than she’d ever felt with anyone and more tired than she’d ever been in her life.
Light against her eyelids woke her the next morning. That, and a warm feeling at her back that was intense and enveloping. She moved experimentally and discovered that the warmth was a hard, muscular, bare male chest. Grif was in bed with her. And they were both naked.
Well.
She tried to remember what happened the night before and it came rushing back to her. She was a shapeshifter! She could hardly believe it.
She was lying in Grif’s bed, naked, and she distinctly remembered him tucking her in after he’d helped her through her first change. He’d been so good to her last night, she remembered. He was really one in a million.
“About time you woke up.”
The sexy male growl in her ear made her stiffen. She wasn’t a virgin, but she also wasn’t used to sharing a bed with a naked man all that often, and certainly not anytime recently. She shivered though she was plenty warm under the blankets with Grif as he rubbed his open palm over her bare breast.
“You’re beautiful, Lindsey.” He nuzzled her neck as he pulled her closer in his arms, running his hands over her body. She realized he was hard as a rock behind her, his erection finding its way between her butt cheeks as if seeking her warmth.
“Grif…” She knew she meant to say something important but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what it was when his hand skimmed down to tease between her legs.
“Mmm. I like the way you say my name, sweetheart. I’ve waited weeks to hear that tone from you.”
“Weeks?” she squeaked as he stroked her clit.
He nodded behind her, rasping his stubbly cheek against the soft skin of her nape. “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you in the diner.”
“Hey, you two!” Belinda’s sweet voice piped from behind the closed door. “Are you going to sleep all day?”
He growled as Lindsey stiffened and tried to pull away. “Saved by the munchkin,” he mused as he let her go. “All right, we have things to talk about. But later, you’re mine.” His eyes held the light of promise as she tugged the sheet with her, wrapping it toga-style around her.
“We’ll see about that, Grif.”
He towered over her as he stood, naked and hard, and oh-so-delicious.
“Yes, we will.”
Belinda was ecstatic about the change in Lindsey. The little girl was more animated than she’d ever seen her when they joined her in the state of the art kitchen. As Lindsey saw the array of cereals littered about the table, she suddenly realized she was ravenous.
“I can make some eggs or pancakes if you’ll show me where the frying pan is.”
Belinda’s eyes lit up. “Can you do sunny side up eggs? Grif always breaks the yolks.”
Lindsey smiled. “I won’t break the yolks if you don’t want me to, okay?”
“Can you show me how?”
“You bet.” She looked over at the silent man who stood in the doorway to the kitchen. “If your brother doesn’t mind.”
Grif’s smile was intense. “Make yourself at home, Lindsey.”
He padded over to the refrigerator and took out the things she’d need while Belinda showed her where the frying pan was. Together, the three of them made a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes and more, laughing often as they collided in the small space around the stove.
Though Grif was doing it deliberately, she well knew. He crowded her, ‘showing’ her how to flip the pancakes just right by moving behind her and taking her hand in his over the handle of the pan. She giggled like Belinda when he tickled both their tummies, but the swipe of his hand across her butt where Belinda couldn’t see, made her shiver.
She was wearing one of his shirts and a pair of old sweatpants that had a drawstring keeping the baggy things up around her waist. She looked like a ragamuffin, but she felt surprisingly good after the ordeal of the night before.
“One of the benefits of being a shifter is increased metabolism,” Grif explaine
d as they sat at the table, consuming huge piles of food. “We use a lot of energy to shift and of course, all the physical activity we get into when we roam.”
“So you’re saying I can actually have dessert and not have it go straight to my hips?” Lindsey chuckled. “I think I’m gonna like this.”
Grif put down his fork and just watched her. “You really had no idea this was going to happen, did you?”
Lindsey paused and met his gaze. “I thought I was ready for anything when I started the ceremony last night, but I hadn’t contemplated this result. Grandpa told me that the balance had to be restored, but I guessed that in the worst case scenario, I’d have to give my life in exchange.”
“You thought you would die and you still did it anyway?” Grif sounded upset, but she didn’t quite understand why.
“It was a matter of honor. I’d made a promise to my grandfather. And yes, if that’s what was necessary, I was ready to leave this world, but was hoping there’d be some other way to satisfy the Great Spirit. I just never counted on this.”
Grif started eating again, growling under his breath, but her hearing was so improved, she heard the low sounds, if not the actual words. Her nose was more sensitive too, as were her eyes, and it was an amazing experience.
“Grif’s teaching me stalking skills now that I’m getting bigger,” Belinda said cheerfully. “But you’re already full grown. You should know this stuff already. Will you teach her, Grif?” Her questioning eyes turned to her big brother.
“Stalking?” Lindsey found it hard to accept, but something wild and new in her roared in the back of her mind. It felt right, somehow, if totally alien. She knew it was something she was going to have to get used to now that she’d been changed.