Transforming Love (A Koning Clan Novel)

by Smith, Debra

  She pulled away, her heart breaking into a million pieces. “How could someone like me ever love someone like you? You’re pathetic, pining for a woman that doesn't want you.”

  He flinched at her words like she had physically smacked him. She could barely keep the tears from escaping her eyes. His pain was replaced by furry. He clenched his hands and refused to meet her eyes.

  “My mistake.”

  He brushed past her and walked through the door and out of her life. The door clicked closed and she ran to open it, to tell him she was wrong and she loved him with all her heart. That she wasn’t worthy of him, but she stopped her hand just before it touched the knob. Her tears flowed down her cheeks like little waterfalls. She walked over to the couch and curled herself into a protective ball. Great sobs escaped her body as she let her sadness escape. Maybe someday he could forgive her. She only had a small hope of redemption, because she wasn’t sure she could even forgive herself.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jenny was bloody and exhausted. Her front paw had been crushed by Santos’ jaws. She was going to lose if she didn’t think of something quick. She shouldn’t have shifted into a leopard. He knew the cat too well and quickly used his advantage against her. She was hiding on a tree branch, trying to catch her breath.

  “Come on out, precious, just surrender and I will let you go without any more injury. I want that body in top form for our wedding night.”

  Jenny snarled at his words and he turned and looked right at her hiding place.

  “Gotcha.” He smiled wide and shifted into his large, jaguar form.

  She had to think and she had to think fast. She remembered something from a book she had read in the library and she shifted, hoping he would still be looking for her cat. She climbed further up the tree and froze waiting for her pray to make the first move and his final mistake.

  When he came into her view she launched herself at his form. They fell from the tree and she used his surprise to wrap her strong body around his, slowly constricting as his breaths left his body. She wouldn’t kill him, but would just wait until he passed out. He continued his struggles; although, his effort proved fruitless. Santos would have a few broken ribs, but Jenny had won her first match. Thank God she had read the article on Anacondas or else she would have lost.

  Jenny watched from the comfort of her bed as Charlie poured her a glass of water from the tray Marlena brought. The smell of lilac drifting from the white sheets did nothing to calm her nerves. “What am I going to do? I don’t think I can beat him. I’m still injured and I barely beat Santos.”

  “It’s okay, lass, don’t worry. Take these pills and get some rest. I will not leave ya tonight.” Charlie bent down and kissed Jenny’s cheek.

  ***

  Jenny was doing her best to stay down wind. She picked up Kane's scent easily in her lion form. Her paw ached, drawing away her focus. She had to be vigilant. She stopped as she swiveled her ear, listening for the faintest hint of Kane's location, nothing. She was tempted to give her animal side more control but remembered Charlie's warning. It could easily take over.

  Kane's scent veered to the left, toward the stream. She tested the air again and silently padded to the edge of the water. She cursed her own inexperience. The scent was gone, and she realized too late that it was a false trail as Kane lunged at her from behind. She was too slow, and her injured paw hindered her movement. The powerful jaws of his black hyena clamped down on her vulnerable throat. She fought, digging her claws into his sides, drawing blood and tissue from his flesh. She couldn't give up and struggled until all she could see was never-ending darkness. The satisfied laughter of a tormented creature followed close behind her.

  ***

  A meeting was called to decide the fate of Kane. Jenny was close to death, holding on by her sheer strength of will.

  "She knew the risk! I have done nothing but win what is rightfully mine!" Kane roared.

  "Mark my words, I will kill you. This I swear." The words were laced with vengeance as they passed through Gryph's feral scowl. His animal was close to the surface, demanding justice for his unclaimed mate.

  "We will see who wins the final battle. I will be victorious, regardless of the queen's state. Better off if she dies, for I will still be king and you will have to live under my rule." Kane's eyes twinkled with sadistic happiness.

  Gryph unleashed his claws and pushed Kane against the wall, bringing his face mere inches away. He held Kane still by increasing his grip on his throat. His fangs fully extended as he barked his warning. "If she dies, there will be no place for you to hide where I can't find you. You will die, this I assure you, but it won't be slowly. It could take weeks of your suffering to ease my hunger for justice."

  Blood pooled in Kane's mouth as he spoke, "The only way you can kill me is if you submit to your animal, and we both know you can't do that as the heir to your clan. Either way, I win." Blood coated his evil grin.

  "We will see who wins." Gryph released his hold on Kane and stepped away, barely reining in his animal. Tomorrow he would have justice, because tonight he had somewhere important to be.

  The sight of Jenny almost brought Gryph to his knees. She was pale, her face void of her special fire. He ran his finger along her cheek silently praying for her to wake up. He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, maybe it would be enough to bring her back to him.

  "Foolish." he mumbled to himself when the soft clearing of a throat interrupted.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." Marlena walked over and placed a lovely vase full of blue lilies next to Jenny's bed.

  "That's very kind of you." Gryph didn't make eye contact, uncomfortable with his witnessed show of affection.

  "She was my friend." Marlena softly grasped Jenny's hand.

  "I brought the papers you requested." She motioned to the folder next to door. "It's a shame we can't take her to a human hospital. Our clan doctor won't be here till morning."

  "Yes, it is." He walked over to the folder and opened it to examine the contents. He signed on the line, at peace with his decision.

  "Thank you, Marlena."

  "You're welcome, sir." Then she left him alone with Jenny.

  He once again walked to her side and whispered the words he should have said from the beginning.

  "I love you."

  Chapter Thirteen

  "Gryph?" Jenny's voice sounded foreign.

  "Oh, good heavens, lass, I was afraid I had lost you." Charlie handed her a cup of water.

  She griped it gingerly and brought it to her parched lips.

  "Drink it slowly; you don't want to make yourself ill." Marlena said.

  Jenny scanned the room as the cool liquid cascaded down her throat. She placed the cup on the table beside the bed and tried to sit up. Charlie noticed her struggles and helped her.

  "Where's Gryph? Who won the match?"

  "Oh lass, I don't know how to tell you this, but Gryph-"

  Marlena interrupted. "Go fetch the doctor while we girls have a chat."

  Charlie's face was stricken as he nodded and left the room.

  "Marlena, what happened?" Fear broke through her tone.

  Marlena walked to the side of Jenny's bed and braced her small frame on the edge. She reached out and placed Jenny's hand in her own.

  "You've been asleep for a week, the doctor arrived and wanted to put you to rest. He feared you would never wake. Gryph wouldn't stand for it. He said someone as stubborn as you would not be trapped in their own mind when freedom was all you cared about." Marlena smiled as she gently squeezed Jenny's fingers and took a breath. "He won the Slag, I think he knew what he had to do, but it came with a terrible price."

  "Oh God, is he dead? Please tell me he's not dead." Jenny pleaded as pain echoed through her empty chest.

  "No, he lives, but he's no longer the man you once knew. His rage was too close to the surface and he let his wolf take over during the fight. He's lost to us."

  "I don't under
stand." Jenny furrowed her brows. "If he's alive, how can he be lost?"

  Marlena's tears began to fall as she continued. "He's out there somewhere in wolf form. His human half is buried too deep to find his way back. But before the final fight in the Slag, he had papers drawn up giving you your freedom when he won. He knew how important it was to you."

  Jenny pulled the covers from over her legs, disturbing Marlena's resting place. She found strength inside herself she hadn't known existed.

  "What on earth are you doing?" Marlena squeaked in surprise.

  "I'm going to find him and bring him back."

  "You can't. It's impossible."

  "Well, we will just have to see about that, now, won't we." Jenny slipped off the bed and walked past the awestruck doctor and a bellowing Charlie. She was queen and would not rule without her king.

  Jenny shifted into the form of wolf, her blond hair making her almost seem white. She lifted her snout and scented the air. His scent of fresh mountain pine was weak, but the faint traces tickled her nose and warmed her heart. She followed, listening to wind caressing the leaves and birds singing their enchanting songs. The scent was becoming stronger, so she increased her speed. Her body hummed with pleasure. The sun was warm on her fur and the ground felt firm and solid under her paws.

  He was close. She could feel it deep in her heart. She slowed and could see the light peeking through the trees, indicating some sort of clearing or meadow. She made sure to approach him from downwind. She poked her head out from between two bushes and was amazed at what she saw.

  Gryph was a massive black wolf. The sun glinted off his fur, making it seem blue in some places. He was breathtaking and easily twice her size. A small sliver of fear ran down her spine, but she dismissed it. She loved him and that was all there was to it. She took a step forward, the snapping of a twig under her paw caused Gryph to wake from his slumber. She cursed herself as his deep blue eyes narrowed in on her location. He slowly stood and lowered his head, growling a clear warning, his lips peeled back from his large white canines.

  She had to reach him. She padded closer lowering her tail and head. Still, he warned her, the sound becoming more aggressive. His body was tense, the muscles evident under his thick fur. When she was a few feet away, she flipped to her back stating her submission. He slowly walked toward her. He could kill her and there would be nothing she could do to stop him. She remained calm focusing on the man inside the animal.

  Then her scent hit his nose and a faint spark of recognition reached his eyes. He changed his posture and she flipped over. She nuzzled his neck, cherishing the brief connection. Then he walked over and returned to his resting position. She had to remind him who he was. So she shifted to her human form. He lowered his ears and a deep growl rumbled in his throat.

  "Gryph, baby, it's me. Come back to me."

  He stood and bared his large canines. No. Please, God, no. This has to work. So she shifted back to her wolf. She found a place beside him and closed her eyes praying he would come back to her.

  Days of waiting turned into months. The distance between them grew from a small crack to huge rift. Every day she lost a piece of herself. She hoped he would come back to her and the pain made her want to surrender. She couldn't. If she did then his sacrifice would be for nothing. She shifted into her human form because a wolf couldn't cry. She stared at the glistening waves of the creek. The wind offered its comfort by gently brushing her check and bringing a familiar scent. A large brown bear broke through the brush. She knew him and her heart leapt with temporary joy.

  "Daddy!" She stood and ran into his arms as he shifted.

  "Oh, my dear sweet Jenny." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his heart. He lifted her chin and wiped away the tears streaming down her face.

  "Shh…button. Dry your tears."

  Jenny hiccupped at her childhood nickname. "Oh, Daddy, I can't bring him back. They’re right, he's gone." Sobs wracked her body as her father ran his fingers through her hair.

  "So what are you going to do?"

  Her heart shattered into an infinite number of pieces, like mirrored reflections of her mistakes, jagged and broken.

  "I have to go back, but first I need to say good-bye. One more night and then I will return."

  Love softened his features, "I'm proud of you. I love you, button."

  "I love you, too."

  He gave her one last bear hug and shifted, leaving her to say goodbye. She walked to their home, like a phantom haunting a dream, which could never come true.

  Gryph lifted his head at her approach, but he seemed unbothered by her form. She touched her face. Only then did she realize she was crying. Her heart was no longer with her. The rest of her life she would be but a mere shell doomed to ghost through her existence.

  She could try one more thing. So she listened to the faint voice of hope and began to remove her clothes. She moved slowly lifting her shirt over her head, hoping her stronger scent would remind him of who he was. She removed her shirt and found Gryph's wolf staring at her with curiosity. Her black lace bra matched his fur. He watched her as she removed her jeans, revealing her matching silk panties. She slowly crawled forward. He showed his teeth but she continued her course. She raised her hand to his face. When she made contact with his soft fur, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She softly stroked his neck and his growls turned to whines. She raised her other hand and stroked his other side.

  "Please come back to me Gryph." She closed her eyes trying to trap the tears flowing down her cheeks. She felt his tongue lick away the salt as he whined. He wasn't coming back. They were right. It was impossible. She burrowed her face in the soft cushion of his neck, as the pain from her broken heart wracked her body. She was lost to her grief and nuzzled him lost in dream of what should have been, but would never be. She lifted her head and met his gaze.

  "I'm leaving, Gryph. I have to go back. I'm so sorry, baby. I love you." She whispered.

  He whined as his eyes filled with emotion. A part of him knew she was leaving, making it hurt more. She turned away, severing the connection.

  She bent over to gather her discarded clothes.

  "Jenifer?"

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. She finally lost it, and imagining his voice was the final exit on the road to the loony bin. Strong hands rubbed up and down her back, the sensation drawing her into the present.

  She pulled back and saw the man she loved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. It was wild, hard, and unskilled: the best kiss of her life. She only separated to suck air into her burning lungs. He rested his head against hers. She brought her hand up and slapped him.

  “Ouch.” She shook her hand trying to alleviate the stinging.

  “What was that for?”

  She brought his branded cheek to her lips and kissed him softly.

  “How could you leave me?”

  “I thought it was what you wanted.” He shrugged.

  Jenny rolled her eyes. “Lord, men are idiots.”

  "I thought I lost you." he whispered.

  "Me too." She smiled as her eyes roamed his face. It was real. She wasn't daydreaming. Her hands sought his and linked their fingers, desperate for a connection.

  "I love you, Jenifer."

  "I love you, too. Now let's go home. I want a soak in our tub."." She turned, pulling him with her as she gathered her clothes.

  "No."

  She turned her head and saw the reason written all over his body. His eyes burned with lust and his erection was hard, bulging against the denim of his jeans. His canines were extended past his lips. She whimpered.

  "It's time I claimed what's mine." His eyes trailed her body, ending in a promising stare.

  She shivered as fresh cream pooled in her core, eager to feel his possession. She closed her eyes wanting to focus on the sensation of his touch. The tips of his fingers grazed her calf; the heat from the slight contact was like brand. Then she felt hi
m trace the curve of her hip. He bent his head down and followed with a trail of kisses. He unleashed his claws and easily dispensed with her panties.

  "Lean forward. Let me see how ready you are for me."

  She rested her head on the soft grass. She heard Gryph suck in a breath.

  "Fuck, you're beautiful, so pink and wet."

  She cried out in pleasure as he speared her with his tongue. He growled his approval as he continued licking up every drop of her arousal.

  "Mmm…you taste like strawberries and cream."

  Jenny's breaths came in pants as she dug her nails into the soft grass of the meadow. She was close to coming when he thrust two fingers inside her she exploded with a cry.

  "I have missed you, and this." His fingers separated her folds. He used his other to unsnap her bra freeing her high round breasts.

  "Roll over." His order was bestial, with his wolf close to the surface.

  She did as he requested and sprawled out before him like his own personal feast. It was appropriate because he looked like he was going to eat her alive.

  "How long have I been lost?"

  Liquid pooled in her eyes, "Four months."

  His features softened, he nodded to himself.

  "Thank you for staying with me. I have four months to make up for."

  He lifted his shirt over his head, making her hands itch to touch all his glorious rippling muscles. Gryph came to rest at the vee of her legs.

  "Your pants."

  He shook his head. "I cannot. I will be unable to control myself, and by my count I owe you three more orgasms."

  "I don't think I can."

  His mouth tilted at the edges. "You will do as I say."

  He pressed his lips to hers to silence her stroking her with his silky mouth. Soon she was shamelessly arching herself against his erection.