Page 82 of Knotting Autumn

“The mattress, really?” Sawyer whined.

Thorne’s head snapped up. “Did you expect our mate to sleep on the ground? Or did you want to sleep inside the cabin as a wolf?”

“Fine,” Sawyer said, crossing his arms.

“Come here and help,” Thorne said, jerking his head. “Are there any more blankets anywhere? I don’t want her to be cold.”

Cole snorted. “There will be three huge wolves in bed with her. She’ll be fine.”

Sawyer retrieved two old thermal blankets from a shelf and tossed them through the open door. Thorne spread them out and fluffed the pillows.

Smiling, I flopped onto the bed, feeling like a kid at summer camp. “So I was asking Thorne about turning into a wolf, and he wouldn’t answer me.”

Cringing Sawyer scratched at the back of his neck. “Honestly, I’m not totally sure how to describe it.”

“Okay, how long does it take?”

“A few seconds?”

Biting my lip, I asked, “Does it hurt?”

“A bit,” he said.

“A lot,” Cole said at the same moment. When Sawyer looked up, eyes wide, Cole shrugged. “I’m special, remember.”

I had no idea what to say. Cole smiled grimly, and Sawyer stared at him, sympathy all over his features. I wasn’t a werewolf like they were, and there was no way I could understand.

Thorne kept fussing with my outdoor bed, and finally I grabbed his hand. “It’s fine!”

“Let’s test it out, then,” Sawyer said, grabbing me around the middle and tugging me down.

All three men piled into the bed, and we lay together, limbs tangled, talking about nothing. I had the distinct feeling none of us wanted to discuss tomorrow or the bigger problems we faced. Right now, it was time for the full moon.

The sun drifted lower, the shadows of the trees creeping across the pine needle litter filling the clearing. The men were restless. I could see it in how jumpy Sawyer was, the way Thorne rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck, and the tightness in Cole’s jaw.

Finally, Thorne stood up, shoving his pants down his legs until he was naked. “It’s time.”

Cole and Sawyer followed him, both stripping off and leaving their clothes on the railing.

My mouth went dry, taking in their naked forms. Cole was the tallest and slimmest, built of long, lean muscles decoratedwith gothic tattoos. Beside him, Thorne looked like a giant with his broad shoulders and the kind of muscles that came from physical labor.

In the past, I wouldn’t have thought Sawyer would fit with them. He was my bestie, the one I cuddled with and secretly dreamed of marrying. But seeing his naked body, freckles covering every inch, it was obvious he was one of them. He moved with an easy grace, clearly comfortable being naked outside. I was glad it wasn’t me standing in the middle of the woods without a stitch of clothing.

Thorne tipped his head up, watching the sky darken. For a moment, nothing happened. Cole tensed, hunching as his body shuddered. My heart rose into my throat as I watched him twitch, his face strained.

An inhuman snarl left his mouth as he fell forward, dark fur rapidly spreading over his limbs. In a few seconds, he was replaced with a massive midnight-black wolf.

Sawyer rose up, shaking out a thick coat of mottled brown and gold with a white belly and chin. Beside him, Thorne was the largest wolf. His fur was a darker reddish brown like mahogany, just like in my dream.

Thorne’s sleek head turned, glowing blue eyes glaring at Sawyer. I gasped, not knowing what his body language meant. Thorne’s tail curled up, and Sawyer lowered his head, his ears flattening.

Satisfied, Thorne relaxed, his tail swishing. Cole brushed against him, nuzzling his cheek, before moving to Sawyer. The two licked at each other’s muzzles, and my heart melted.

With a shake of his tail, Sawyer lowered his front legs, his butt high in the air. It was a play bow, just like a dog. I couldn’t help my grin. Cole barked, and the two took off racing.

Leaving them to play, Thorne turned, surveying the clearing. With a purposeful gait, he circled the cabin, sniffing and stopping to pee.

Fuck, these three wolves were just like overgrown dogs. Next, I expected them to beg for treats, climb into bed with me, and fart.