“Should we call Doctor Bascomb and ask him his opinion?” Sherry asked.
Vahl shrugged. “I don’t know if it will do any good for Tara. The doctor really didn’t know what to expect, so we’ll probably just have to get Tara home and ride this through.”
Riley stood up and scooped her in his arms. “I’ll bring her home.”
Vahl nodded, “We’ll meet you there. We’ll just let the boys know what’s going on. They can stay here and continue their party.”
When Riley got her seated in the truck and on their way she snarled at him. “It was just a misunderstanding and you want to end things. Sounds like you’re the one who shouldn’t be promising forever.” Her voice sounded foreign to her, much deeper and more animalistic than normal but that wasn’t going to stop her from speaking her mind.
He looked shocked. “You want to do this now?”
She snarled “Yes.”
He glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. “I never said I wanted to end it.”
“Then why won’t you talk to me? What the hell is going on?” The growls were getting worse.
“I pushed too hard, too soon.” He shrugged. “I should have waited until after you transitioned, but I just couldn’t resist. Once you transition you’ll understand, sweetheart. The wolf knows.”
What the hell did that even mean? I’m already confused and he wants to speak in riddles. She wanted to ask him but she was growling with every breath she took and her skin started prickling. She fisted her hands, digging her nails into her palms, her ears were ringing and she could feel every muscle in her body starting to tighten to the point of pain. She threw back her head and howled.
“Shit!” Riley said and she felt the truck pick up speed. “Hold on, Tara, we’re almost there.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
As soon as he got to Tara’s house he got her into the tub filled with cool water and made her take some of the pain medication that Doctor Bascomb had prescribed. He sat down on the floor by the tub and rubbed her neck while she continued to growl out every breath. She was almost beyond speaking at this point, communicating with nods, hand gestures, and assorted noises.
“I’ll never be happy about you being injured, sweetheart, but I’m really glad we didn’t make that trip to New York. I can’t imagine you trying to do this in the middle of a crowded city.” He shook his head. “Hopefully L.J. and Addie are having a really good time because they’re going to be upset they weren’t here for you.”
Tara let out a whimper and he tried his best to soothe her with his hands. “You’re okay, sweetheart, I’m right here. You’re doing great.” Her knees were tucked up tight to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, her head tipped forward.
He heard Vahl and Sherry come through the door. “I’m just going to fill your dad and Sherry in on what’s happening but I won’t go further than the top of the stairs, sweetheart. I promise.” She nodded and he got up.
Vahl was already on his way up the stairs when Riley got there. “Sherry’s putting a pot of coffee on, how’s my girl?”
“She’s in the tub and I gave her the pain meds. She’s in full transition now. It’s going really fast, Vahl. If I had to guess, I’d say she’ll be in full shift before dawn.”
Vahl nodded. “I should be with her.” He went to move past, but Riley stopped him. “She’s naked, Vahl, I don’t think she’ll want you to see her like this.”
“But it’s okay for you?” Vahl snarled.
“She’s my mate!” Riley snarled right back.
Sherry’s head appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “Enough or I’ll banish you both to the kitchen and I’ll sit with her. Vahl, honey, if Riley’s her mate then he should be with her. You heard him, it’s going quickly. Come sit with me and we’ll run with your daughter before the dawn.” She said soothingly.
Vahl nodded and turned to head back downstairs while Riley went to Tara with an “I’ll yell if she needs you” thrown over his shoulder.
When he entered the bathroom, Tara’s head snapped up and the look in her eyes was nearly feral. As soon as he reached her side she stood in the tub, grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked him to her with surprising strength. He could hear seams ripping but didn’t care as Tara began kissing him desperately. He put his arms around her to hold her close, trying to comfort her. She was growling in agitation as she tried to work the buttons on the front of his shirt so he backed away slightly and just ripped it clean off, buttons flying in a chorus of pings as they hit tile.
As soon as his torso was bare her hands were on him, rubbing, and scoring skin with her nails. Then she put one arm around his neck, one braced on his shoulder until she could lift herself fully from the tub and wrap her legs around his waist.
She was grinding against him as she kissed him fiercely and Riley stepped back slightly against the wall to brace. “I need you inside me.” She said in a gruff growl, “Please, Riley, I need you.”
Riley was lost; the scent of his woman surrounding him, needing him, practically begging for him. His hands under her backside lifted her higher so he could undo his pants and push them down, and before he could ask her if she was sure she was snarling “yes.”
He could feel how incredibly wet she was for him as the head of his erection nudged her opening and Riley growled as he thrust up inside of her. It felt so amazingly good, like coming home. She continued to kiss him hungrily, growling and snarling and he was so turned on, he knew he wouldn’t last. He wrapped one arm more tightly around her backside so that he could use his other hand to stimulate the bud of her desire. Within moments he felt her climax pulsing around him, felt those new, incredibly sharp canines she now possessed sink into his shoulder and he came harder than ever before.
They were both breathing hard. Riley was stroking her skin and he whispered. “I love you, Tara. You’re my mate. You’ll understand that soon.”
Tara caressed his face and tried to say something but grimaced when nothing but growls came out. He smiled at her to reassure her. “You can tell me later.”
She nodded and used her hands on his shoulder to brace as she pulled herself off his now softening erection. He used his hands to steady her as her feet touched the floor and then she went down on hands and knees. She started panting hard and trembling so Riley got down on the floor next to her. “Let me help you back into the tub, sweetheart.” But she shook her head, looked at him with wide golden eyes that held a trace of fear and shifted to a wolf for the very first time.
She was so beautiful with her gleaming red coat; so similar to Vahl and her brothers yet smaller with more red and less white, her features more delicate. “You are gorgeous, sweetheart. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”
She shook her head and Riley smiled stroking a hand down her back. “Do you feel like going for a run?”
She turned to the door and scratched at it so Riley shed his boots and the rest of his clothes, opened the door and shifted. He was going to run with his mate and he could barely contain his excitement.
He let her lead as she ran down the stairs and then stopped to sniff the air. Tarvahl and Sherry both came out of the kitchen smiling happily. “I think that’s the fastest transition I’ve ever heard of.” Vahl said and both he and Sherry started stripping off their clothes. Vahl walked to the front door and opened it. “Go ahead, Baby Girl.” He said, “We’re right behind you.”
Tara ran to the woods behind her house, up to his place and then into the woods beyond. She’d occasionally stop to sniff at something but then she’d leave it behind in a burst of speed. Riley was so in love with this woman, who ran without fear through the night, experiencing all the wonders of shedding skin for the first time. He continued to let her lead and explore where she would while he kept a keen eye and a keener nose out for danger. He would protect his woman with his life.
They had run for several miles before they stopped at a stream and they all drank. Riley and Vahl both lifted their
heads at about the same time to sniff the air; there was another wolf in the area and it smelled like Constance. His eyes scanned the surrounding area but he didn’t see her. It was dangerous for a shifter to run alone at night, especially one of their females. Vahl motioned with his head that they needed to head back and Riley nudged Tara with his muzzle. They headed home.
Vahl and Sherry headed into the kitchen where their clothes were while Riley shifted and grabbed the throw blanket off the back of the couch. He looked at Tara. “I’ll go upstairs and get dressed and bring you some clothes, sweetheart. Coming out of shift is a little different, so just give me a minute.”
When he came back down he was dressed in his pants, his shirt too torn for anything but the rag bin. Vahl and Sherry were dressed and sitting in the living room with Tara who was sniffing around, learning all of the scents in her house. He went to her and put the throw blanket over her back to protect her modesty and then sat down on the floor in front of her with her clothes in his lap.
He stroked her face and she nuzzled into his palm. “This isn’t going to hurt, sweetheart, not like the initial transition, but you do need to focus. You need to think about what you look like in your skin, what it feels like, and concentrate on going back to that. Okay? It might take a few tries, but don’t get frustrated, you can do it.”
He watched her as she closed her eyes to concentrate then a few moments later she opened them and growled in frustration. She shifted her weight a bit and then closed her eyes again and she was suddenly returned to her skin.
Riley grinned. He heard Vahl behind him say “Good job, baby girl” and Sherry’s “Nicely done, Tara. I’m impressed; you’re proving to be very strong.”
Vahl puffed up and gave Tara a proud smile. “Of course she is. She’s my girl.”
She blushed but smiled. “That was amazing.” She said.
Vahl stood up and cleared his throat. “Just promise me you’ll never run alone, Tara. We try to keep our land free of hunters, but occasionally some slip by, not to mention the other dangers in the woods. Our women are far too precious. That’s why I need to find out why Constance is out at night alone, so we’re going to head out if you’re okay.”
“I’ve never been better Dad, thank you both so much.” Tara said with a smile.
Vahl and Sherry both hugged her and then Vahl put a hand on Riley’s shoulder. “Be good to my girl.”
Riley nodded. “You have my word.”
“How are you feeling, sweetheart? Are you tired?” Riley asked and Tara had to think about it for a moment. She was tired, but she was also exhilarated. Everything was so new when she was a wolf; everything looked different, smelled different, and sounded different. Her vision had been so sharp and focused; even by only the light of the moon she had had no problem seeing where she was going. And the smells! So clear and distinct and different from the smells she’d become accustomed to. Then there were the sounds she heard like her own heartbeat and those of her companions, every breath that was taken, insects buzzing, night creatures skittering for cover, and she’d heard the sound of water long before she saw it. It was all so fascinating and wonderful.
“I am a bit tired, but mostly I’m excited. It was so wonderful, Riley. I can’t wait to do it again.” She grinned and started tugging the clothes he had brought down for her on to cover her nudity.
He caressed her cheek with his thumb and smiled. “I’ll take you out the next few nights if you want and I’m sure your family will want to schedule a run once the photographers are out of the area.”
Just then her stomach growled loudly and Riley chuckled. “Let’s get you something to eat. Shifting and running like that burns a lot of calories so don’t be surprised if your appetite increases considerably.”
She had noticed that and also that she seemed to be craving a lot more meat. “I wish the diner was still open. I’d love a cheeseburger right now.”
Riley leaned into the fridge, “How about a ham and cheese sandwich instead and I’ll take you to town for a cheeseburger at lunch?”
“That sounds perfect.” She said.
When Riley pulled all the things he needed for their sandwiches out of the fridge and set them on the counter, he was frowning thoughtfully. “There’s something we need to talk about, sweetheart.”
Tara sighed, “I know. Listen Riley, yesterday morning it was just a misunderstanding. I didn’t fully understand what you were asking, but I never said I didn’t want to marry you. I do want to be with you forever. In fact, I can’t imagine my life without you now, but it all just came so fast and when Addie said what she did about an engagement I honestly thought you would be the one to freak since most guys get all jittery at even a hint of marriage. I knew deep down you weren’t like other guys but it still set me off and I never meant to hurt your feelings, or make you feel like I was rejecting you because that wasn’t it at all. I love you, Riley.” It all came pouring out of her mouth so fast that Tara needed to take a breath when she was finally done. She peeked up at him to see if he even understood that ramble of words she’d just spewed.
Riley smiled, grabbed her hand, and tugged her to his chest to wrap his arms around her. “I had realized you didn’t fully understand and I had pushed too fast, sweetheart. Everything was too new to you; too many drastic changes in your life and there I was adding another. My only excuse is that I just wanted you so badly, I couldn’t help myself. You’re my mate, I knew it right from the start and I was impatient to claim you.”
Tara smiled happily and nuzzled her face into his chest, and then she heard “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about,” and her smile slipped.
He kept his arms around her, his face pressed to her hair as he said. “We didn’t use a condom, sweetheart, when we were in the bathroom, and since you went into transition that means you’re ovulating.” He inhaled, “I can scent it on you.”
Tara stiffened slightly. She opened her mouth and then closed it a few times, not sure what to say.
Riley sighed, “Once again I’m dropping another possible huge life change in your lap. I’m sorry for that, sweetheart, but I’m not sorry if you’re carrying my child. I would love to watch you grow big with my son or daughter.” He said moving his hand around to place on her flat belly. “To create life together with the one you love and to see it thrive is the greatest achievement.”
Tara sniffled. She pictured herself with a dark haired baby in her arms while Riley stood beside her with an arm around her shoulder, a look of pride on his face. It made her chest hurt how badly she wanted that image to be real.
Riley crooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his, while his other hand wiped the tear that had trickled from the corner of her eye. “Please don’t cry, sweetheart. I don’t ever want to make you cry.” Then he nodded. “I understand, it’s too much too soon, but please understand that I’ll never, ever leave you. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”
Tara cried a bit harder and gave him a watery smile. “I think we’ll make wonderful parents, Riley Cooper.”
Riley’s smile was beautiful to behold and then he was kissing her and they both forgot about the sandwiches they planned to make.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The phone woke Riley a little after dawn and he snatched it up. Tara rustled a bit beside him, but rolled over and went back to sleep. It was Lucy on the other end and she sounded agitated as she spoke.
“Hey Coop; I’ve got one of those photographers here at the diner. He and his people were setting up for their morning shoot when they discovered an injured wolf out in the brush. He left the rest of his people to guard it from other animals while he came to let someone know so that they could get that poor creature some help.”
Riley bit back a curse and clenched his jaw. “I’ll be right there, Lucy.” He hung up and dressed in his jeans and the T-shirt Tara had folded from the day before. He leaned over and gave Tara a kiss. She gave him a sleepy smile and all he wanted to do was craw
l back in bed with her. “There’s a problem in town I need to deal with, sweetheart. Go back to sleep and I’ll be back soon.”
She uttered a sleepy “k” before closing her eyes and Riley heard her breathing almost immediately settle back into sleep.
He called Vahl and filled him in and heard Vahl snarl. “If it’s Constance I’m going to be pissed. I called Margaret last night to find out why Connie was running alone and she told me that Constance had returned safe and sound to the B and B and was in bed sleeping.”
“We’ll get it figured out, let’s just get down to the diner and find out what’s going on.” Riley said.
When he arrived at the diner he had to deal with an overly excited photographer named Charles.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes!” Charles said excitedly. “Wolves are extinct in Vermont, well, most of the United States, really. Do you think this means the packs are starting to come back in this area? This is so exciting. We need to get that poor thing some medical attention and have it tested so we know where it’s from or if it’s a hybrid. I would love to see the results.”
Riley clenched his jaw and then smiled at the excited man. “More than likely it’s someone’s dog; wolf mixes are common. Or it could have been a husky you mistook for a wolf. Either way, we’ll get it the help it needs.” He said and was relieved when Vahl came through the door.
“Do you want to tell us where your people were setting up?” Riley asked after Vahl had introduced himself to the man.
“Oh, I’ll show you. I drove here in my car so just follow me.” He said, and then headed for the door.
Vahl shot him a look and Riley grimaced. “Better a nature enthusiast instead of a poacher who may have shot whoever it is.” He said in a whisper.
Vahl sighed and nodded. “Let’s go.”
When they got to the area, the photographers had formed a perimeter around the wounded wolf. And Riley bit back a growl when he did indeed smell Constance. That silly, immature girl had no idea how much damage she could have caused. Riley moved in cautiously and then pushed back some of the concealing brush where Constance had hidden herself. She let out a sharp whine and he noticed she had claw marks on her flank. He raised a brow at Vahl who mumbled, “Well that solves that mystery.” And then to Riley, “I’ll tell you on the way back.”
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