Before either of them decided to risk it, Daryl closed his eyes, pictured his human form, and shed his wolf skin from one breath to the next. As the pain of the shift faded into nothing, he opened his eyes to find Jason had had the exact same idea.
Tall and well-muscled, Daryl’s gaze travelled as far as his solid shoulders before he realised what he was doing and snapped his head forward.
“Is that enough?” he called, walking towards the four wolves in the clearing. Luke and Kev still hung back out of the way, so Daryl walked out into the middle between Nathan and Rob.
Jason joined him. He bent to inspect the wounds on Nathan first and then Rob, frowning slightly as he stood and looked at Daryl. “Not too serious, I don’t think, but could probably do with healing a little before they shift back.”
We could do with Tim right about now.
As if reading his thoughts, Alpha Jones appeared at the edge of the clearing, walking towards them. Daryl immediately tensed, but Jones raised a hand in greeting. “I’m a doctor,” he offered. “I thought you could use a little advice. Nothing more.”
Satisfied they weren’t about to lose any pack members because of the fight, Daryl smiled and stepped back out of the way. “Yeah, thanks. We weren’t sure whether they should change back yet or not.”
Jason came to stand next to Daryl as Alpha Jones began to give the wolves a more thorough examination.
Again, Daryl was very aware of Jason’s nakedness. The warmth coming off his body, the way his chest rose and fell with every breath, the dark hairs on his forearms. He didn’t allow himself to look any lower.
Alpha Jones stood, brushing grass and soil off his knees as he did. “Not too bad, considering how long they were at it.” That proved Daryl’s theory that the council had watched. “They could shift back, but they’ll heal faster staying in wolf form for a while. If you don’t mind, I’d like them to travel with us as we head back to the lodge so I can keep an eye on them, just in case. And you can finish your run.”
“Of course,” Daryl said, at the same time as Jason.
Alpha Jones turned back to Rob and Nathan. “Come. We’ll take it slow and steady.” He shifted, his grey wolf even more beautiful this close, and trotted off towards the trees on the far side of the clearing. Not surprisingly, all four of the wolves followed him. Luke sticking close to Nathan, and Kev doing the same for Rob. Rob and Nathan walked side by side this time, and Daryl felt himself smile as they watched.
“Do you think that’s it?” Jason whispered. “Sorted?”
Daryl took a moment longer to study their body language before they disappeared into the trees.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “I think so.”
Jason whistled softly. “Thank fuck.”
A huff of laughter bubbled out of him, and Daryl made the mistake of glancing over, catching Jason’s eye. Their gazes locked, and whether it was the full moon, the fight, or the fact they were both stark bollock naked, the urge to tackle Jason to the ground and kiss him was almost too strong to resist.
“We should run,” he blurted, forcing himself to take a step back.
“What?” Jason’s eyebrows scrunched together, then his gaze dropped to Daryl’s mouth. He licked his lips, and Daryl did the only thing he could to stop them from doing what he really fucking wanted to.
He shifted.
Jason stumbled backwards, shocked, then he shook his head, a small smile in place. “Yeah, okay.
Let’s run.”
Grateful that he hadn’t pushed, Daryl waited long enough for Jason to shift, then shot off like a rocket into the forest.
Instinct took over as Daryl leapt over branches and around trees, and a small voice inside whispered.
Catch me.
CHAPTER TEN
Jason kicked up leaves and dirt as he raced after Daryl.
This wasn’t what he hoped would happen when Alpha Jones took the others back to the lodge, but it was better than Daryl leaving him to his own devices. He gave up wondering what had caused Daryl’s hang-up about bonds and let the excitement take over as he chased him on a winding path through the trees.
Wind whipped past his muzzle as they weaved this way and that. Branches hit his flank and he skidded on loose leaves. If he was human, he’d have laughed aloud at the sheer exhilaration filling him up inside; instead he screeched to a halt, tipped his head back, and howled for all he was worth.
Daryl’s howl joined his a second later, followed by answering howls throughout the forest. He recognised Jenn’s and Rachel’s in the distance, near their lodge, the others not far behind them.
