by Yule, S. K.
She tried, but the pain was nearly unbearable. A tear slid down her cheek. “I’m going to die,” she groaned.
“You are not.” He gave her a gentle shake. “Listen to me, Myka. Listen to my voice. Focus. You can do it. Breathe deep with me.” She did as he said. “Now out. Good. Keep breathing through the pain. It will subside faster if you do.”
Soon the burning sensation had passed, but right on its heels came another pain. This one was worse. Something inside her was clawing at her organs, ripping them to shreds, trying to escape. The tears streamed down her face, and she couldn’t utter a sound as the agony stole her ability to speak.
“Don’t fight it, Myka. This is the only time it will hurt like this. It’s because you have never changed. Because you haven’t fully accepted what you are yet. Welcome the wolf, angel. It is a part of you now. You don’t have to be afraid. Focus. Breathe with me.”
She tried to focus on him, on his voice, and at times it helped her find her way out of the pain. But when the pain was at its peak, she lost all ability to think straight enough to cut through the fog of the excruciating torture tearing her apart from the inside out. Her teeth ached, her fingers curled and uncurled of their own accord, and the tingling sensation grew, making her sensitive skin almost unbearable to touch. She felt herself falling toward the ground, and the last thing she remembered before the blackness claimed her was lying in Galen’s arms, staring up at the full moon that had lazily risen high in the dark sky.
She had no idea how much time had passed before she became aware again. Seconds. Minutes. Hours. She didn’t know, was only happy that the pain had disappeared. She swung her head to the side and backed up slowly when she came face-to-face with a huge chocolate-brown wolf. She tripped and went down hard on her backside. But realization hit her hard when she stared into the hazel eyes of the big wolf.
“Galen?”
“Yes, angel. It’s me. How do you feel?”
“Better now.” Until she realized that she, too, was a wolf.
“Breathe, Myka. It’s okay. I’m here. The worst part is over.”
“How are you talking to me? Wolves can’t talk.”
“We have to have some way of communicating with one another.”
“You mean besides in dreams?”
His deep chuckle echoed in her mind. “Yes. What better way than telepathy?”
“I have a feeling I’m going to be shocked a lot in the next few months.”
“Shocked?”
“Yes. Every time I think you’ve told me everything, I’m wrong. So wrong.”
“You have much to learn. But we’ll take it one day at a time. How about if we simply enjoy tonight? You’ve already been through enough. Let’s have some fun. Shall we?” He turned and loped toward the pasture. “Catch me if you can, angel.”
She laughed and chased him after getting used to being on four paws instead of two legs. Fortunately, it seemed to come natural to her, and she only stumbled a few times.
“Let go, angel. Feel the freedom of the wolf.”
She ran after Galen, working to keep up with him, and she was certain he was holding back. He was no different in wolf form than he was as a man—big, strong, formidable, and predatory. Gorgeous.
He was right. She felt freer than she ever had. She saw things more clearly, heard more acutely—every tiny sound of nature coming to life in her ears. Even though it was dark, the colors of the forest were richer. The shades held more contrast, the scurrying bugs and small animals easily detectable as they tried hard to hide.
“Wait. I thought dogs were color blind.”
“We are not dogs, Myka. Wolves. Nevertheless, you are correct, but don’t forget the wolf is an extension of our human self and vice versa. Humans see color. While the wolf is color blind, his eyesight is exceptional. That incredible eyesight enhances the colors we see from our human side. It is no different than how your instincts and perception will now be sharper while in human form.”
And the smells were incredible. The sharp tang of the evergreens, the rich scent of the dirt, the hint of floral from the last dying flowers of autumn were each discernible from one another.
After hours of frolicking in the forest, they turned to head back home. She was exhausted, but Galen seemed as if he’d barely broken a sweat—or whatever it was that wolves did when tired.
“How do I change back?” She stared at Galen from across the porch.
“Concentrate. Picture your human form in your mind, and the rest will take care of itself.”
She closed her eyes, and after a few moments, she could feel the change rush through her. This time the shift was uncomfortable and slightly painful, but tolerable. Nothing like the first time. When she opened her eyes, Galen was standing in front of her as naked as she was.
“That’s a bit inconvenient, isn’t it?” She gestured at their nudity.
“We usually hide a change or two of clothes around where we shift, just in case.”
“That’s a good idea.” She nodded.
He reached for her, pulled her to him, and wrapped his arms around her. She squeezed him tightly, and he grunted.
“You’ll need to be careful with your strength around Patrick from now on,” he said after placing his lips against the top of her head.
“Did I hurt you?” She stepped back.
“No. I only want you to be aware.”
“What if I do hurt Patrick? I couldn’t stand it if I did.” She hugged her arms around her middle.
“Not going to happen, Myka.” Galen pulled her back to him.
“How can you be sure?”
“Because you are a wonderful mother to him. Your instincts are sharp, and whether you are consciously thinking about your strength or not, your subconscious and your wolf will always be there in the background, protecting the ones you love.”
“I hope so,” she whispered.
“Stop worrying. Look how far you’ve come. Has any of it been that unbearable?”
“The first shift was a little . . . rough.”
He hugged her tighter. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. It won’t be like that anymore. After a while, it will become second nature to you. Eventually, you won’t notice what little discomfort remains from shifting.”
“No. You are right. After the initial pain, it was amazing. Seeing the forest, nature—the world—through different eyes. It was amazing . . . liberating.”
“Just wait until we make love in wolf form,” he breathed against her ear.
“We can do that?” She spun and looked up at him.
“Yes.” He chuckled. “But I don’t think you’re ready for that quite yet.”
She frowned. He was right, but damned if she was going to let him know that. She smiled sweetly up at him. “How would you know?”
She stood on tiptoe, linked her arms around his neck, and kissed him. His scent and taste hit her full force, their first kiss with her heightened senses. Good lord. If that’s only a kiss, what will the sex be like? She hadn’t imagined it could get any better than it already was, even though he’d said it would. Actually, she doubted it could get better. Most likely only intensify. How the hell was she going to survive it?
His cock grew thick and hard and pressed against her stomach. “Anytime, anywhere, anyhow, angel,” he said against her lips.
“Time is now. Where is my bed. How is any way you’d like. I love you, Galen.” She snuggled against him when he lifted her and carried her inside.
“I love you too, angel.”
The End
About the Author
S. K. Yule’s love for reading started in high school, and finally inspired her to try her hand at writing. Once an outlet was discovered for an over-active, and at times overwhelming, imagination a passion for creating stories for others to enjoy was born.
You will most often find S. K. Yule tapping away on her laptop in her farmhouse located in a tiny Midwestern town with a population of one hundred and fifty. Sh
e lives with her real-life hero, her husband, and plans to have the happily ever ending with him that she so often writes about.
Her spoiled rotten children consist of three yorkies, two miniature schnauzers, and a loveable half min pin half sheltie mix.
S. K. Yule’s previously published, bestselling Romance works include:
Darkest Hours, Darkest Book I
Darkest Desires, Darkest Book II
Darkest Intentions, Darkest Book III
Darkest Risings, Darkest Book IV
Lycan Lover
Lycan Lust
Lycan It
Lycan Heat
Lycan Vengeance
Lycan Christmas
Lycan Contempt
Demon Scorned
Jericho’s Revenge
Breaking The Cowboy
Three Lovers For Lucy
Second Chances
Melandra’s Men
S. K. Yule loves to hear from readers and other authors/writers. You can find more information about her and contact information at:
www.skyule.com
www.facebook.com/skyule
www.facebook.com/skyuleauthor
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author