She bows her head and turns the horse, heading away at a run.
I turn to Astrid. “We need to go down the mountain.”
“Who is Queen Nih-muh-way?”
The question is casual, but her eyes are sharp, calculating. She stands straighter now, her posture shifting subtly from relaxed lover to alert operative. She caught that it was a message too, not just a summons.
I can’t help the smile that creeps at the absolute slaughtering of the siren queen’s name, though. “It’s complicated.”
“Oh, no! That’s not going to?—”
“Very very complicated.” I interrupted her. “Something that I will need to explain over the course of many hours and will. But right now, we need to shift into our wolves and run. I need you to trust me, Astrid.” I step closer to her and brush a strand of dark hair from her cheek, tucking it gently behind her ear. “Can you do that, please?”
She peers up at me with the most beautiful dark eyes. All I want to do is drag her back into the hunter’s den and fuck her until we both fall asleep from exhaustion again.
"There's so much to tell you." I place my hands on her shoulders. "But first, the Sirens work with the Knights, supposedly. But there are those among her people who have betrayed their queen or been forced to work against her."
Astrid processes this, her sharp mind already calculating implications. "So you’re not sure if you can trust Nimue."
"Correct," I confirm. "She may genuinely be concerned about hearing that you almost died.”
“Did die.”
“Right, did die. Which is a fact I’d rather forget if possible.” I shake off the memory of listening to her heart stop.
“But then I wouldn’t have a wolf.” Astrid grins and strokes a fingertip down my cheek. “And I’m starting to be rather fond of her. And she’s very fond of you.”
“You are not helping.” I grab Astrid’s hand and kiss her palm. "We need to go. So call that naughty wolf up and let her stretch.”
I kiss her mouth and back away, before she can try for more. I roll my shoulders and let my wolf rise to the surface.
There's no struggle this time, no battle for control. The change is smooth, practiced—bones shifting, muscles realigning, fur sprouting across my skin. For the first time in years, the transformation feels like partnership instead of surrender. In seconds, I stand before her in my wolf form, power flowing through me without the usual chaos.
“Totally not fair. I’m still new at this.” Astrid stares, something like wonder crossing her features. "You're beautiful, you know," she whispers.
I move toward her, pressing my muzzle against her hand. She strokes my fur, digging her fingers in deep.
Feels so good, my wolf almost purrs.
"I'm not sure I can do this," she admits. "And I need you to run a distance away from me so I don't hurt you. My magick is tainted, remember."
I trot away reluctantly, quickly putting several dozen yards between us. Then turn and keep my eyes fixed on her.
She closes her eyes, concentrating. For a moment, nothing happens. Then I feel it through our bond… her wolf rising. The grass around her feet withers, blackness spreads in a perfect circle. Small plants blacken and crumble as her power draws life from everything nearby. Fuck. We’ve got to find a way to fix this.
Her transformation is less smooth than mine, her body fighting the change slightly, but within moments, a sleek gray and white wolf stands where my mate was, shaking herself as if adjusting to the new form.
Pride surges through me. She's magnificent. Beautiful, I send through our bond.
She sends back tentative excitement, tinged with concern as she notices the destruction around her. I feel her guilt ripple through our connection.
Not your fault, I reassure her. We’ll manage it until we can fix it.
She dips her head in acknowledgment, then lifts it with determination, her wolf's eyes bright with new resolve.
Follow, I tell her, turning toward the forest path. Stay close.
I set off at an easy lope, keeping my pace measured until I'm sure she's following. A few moments later, she’s running in stride beside me.
