“Shift?” She frowns at me for a moment, before the pieces snap together. “Right. Wolf shifter. Yeah sure, uh, shift away.”
Standing up, I tower over her, the top of her head barely reaching the middle of my chest. Again, I’m struck by how small she is. It’s too easy to miss the fierce and powerful person inside, though anyone that judges her by the outside is in for one hell of an awakening-- or will be once that binding spell is removed. Even knowing this, my shoulders tense up thinking of her out of my sight. Tomorrow, I’ll be better, but tonight-- and the living room isn’t the best place for me to shift to wolf.
I fidget with indecision. “Come with me?” I ask after a long moment with a subtle gesture towards the front door.
Her brows furrow but she nods and follows without comment.
There’s no sign of Nolan or Donovan once we’re outside, and I don’t look for them, knowing they’ll return when they’re done.
Motioning for Callie to stay on the porch where she’s easily visible in the light, I walk down the front steps. I want to give her plenty of space when I shift, so that I can slowly approach in my wolf form and hopefully not scare her.
I start taking off my coat and unbuttoning my flannel shirt as I approach my car, planning to keep my clothes in the Tahoe for when I need them. The air is a welcome cold against my heated skin, shifters running hot by nature. I’d been sweltering trapped between all the guys.
Reaching into my front pocket, I groan remembering Kaleb has my keys and turn to go back, when I catch Callie watching me. Her eyes trace along my bare chest, my arms, and then go wide when she reaches my face. A deep blush spreads across her cheeks, and she immediately stares at her feet.
A smile tugs at my lips, and my wolf preens under the attention. Being a shifter, nudity isn’t really a big deal since it’s either take the clothes off, or ruin them in the shift-- or possibly get trapped in them. As hilarious as it is to watch a wolf trying to scramble out of a pair of half destroyed jeans, it’s not something I want to experience if I don’t have to.
To give her a chance to compose herself, I try the door of the car and find it unlocked. Not surprising considering the rush we were in to get Callie to her aunt. I dump my jacket and shirt onto the driver’s seat, tug off my boots and socks, and make sure I’m good and hidden behind the car door before removing my pants.
Finally, I let the shift take me, and it feels like relaxing muscles that have been tight for hours. Normally, I don’t fight this hard against my wolf, one major reason is because it hurts… a lot, but rarely are we this at odds over what’s best to do and what form to do it in.
I shake out my fur and stretch, enjoying the gentle pull of newly changed muscles. The world is simpler within my wolf, instinct and desires not hindered by overthinking. My senses are sharper as well, Callie’s pomegranate and white orchid scent drifting along the air, as strong as if I was standing next to her. My nose twitches with the smell of her leaking magic, and I sneeze-- my wolf’s not as used to the scent of magic as my human form.
Stalking out from behind the car door, I shove my shoulder into it and it closes. I sit down on my haunches and pitch my head to the side, listening to my surroundings. Donovan and Nolan didn’t go too far. I can hear them in Nolan’s car, though it’s surprising that Nolan would risk blood on the upholstery. Other than them, there’s no other out of the ordinary sounds or scents.
Callie is still looking at her feet when I focus on the porch, and I release a quick yip to gain her attention. Her head snaps up and her eyes turn owlish, but I can’t tell if it’s surprise or fear. I don’t smell fear.
Carefully, I trot over, trying to look as least threatening as a wolf the size of a small pony can. When I reach the base of the steps, I sit back down on my haunches and wait, my head quirked to the side and curious what she’ll do. No screaming. Good sign.
“Wow,” she breathes, frozen and blinking at me. “You’re huge.”
I release a breathy cough.
“Are you laughing at me?” She shakes her head, coming out of her stupor. “Of course, you’re laughing at me. Have you seen you? You’re kind of surprising the first time… I mean, Kaleb said your wolf form was big, but damn. Anyone that mistakes you for a normal wolf is a moron.”
I take the banter as a good sign, and slowly make my way up the stairs. She moves to the side when I reach the top of the stairs, and I give her another good sniff just to be sure she’s okay. Pomegranate, white orchid, magic that smells like storms-- no fear, though her heart rate is slightly higher than normal.
To encourage her, I duck down and bump her hand with the top of my head, my tail subtly wagging.
“Is this why you don’t like talking? You’re too used to not talking as a wolf?” she asks, but does take the hint and pets the top of my head. Her fingers feel amazing through my fur, and she scratches a particularly good spot behind my ear.
“Huh. Your fur is softer than I expected,” she mutters, running her hand down my neck and between my shoulders, my head butted against her stomach.
My eyes drift closed, all of me more relaxed now that I’m close to her and can defend her properly. I rub my head and neck against her side, transferring some of my scent onto her.
She giggles. “Got it. ‘Wolf Connor’ is a cuddler.”
Not what I meant, but that’s fine too.I circle around Callie, brushing my body against her.
“Alright,” she laughs then yawns. “Let’s go back inside. I promise to pet you more in there. Can’t wait for my aunt to see you. Think she’ll tell you to stay off the furniture?”
I narrow my eyes at her, because I’m not a damn dog.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she chides, opening the door. “It was a joke. I promise to make sure she doesn’t kick you off the couch.”
I roll my eyes and follow her inside. I go where she goes, so good luck kicking me off anything.
Felix is sitting on the floor near the couch, and he grins at us. “Fluffy is a good look for you, Con.”
