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It wasn’t as intense as the first shift, but there was no stopping it, not when my clothing was torn from my body during the change. My fur tore away and was replaced with skin. My body contorted and morphed from a wolf back into a human. And with a resounding pop in my ears and a flash of blinding light in my field of vision, I was lying naked on the ground and shivering.
I was in Luca’s arms instantly as he gently picked me up and cradled me. I felt he was just as naked as I was, our clothing nothing but tatters on the forest floor. His skin so warm that I curled against him and absorbed that heat. He started murmuring things against the crown of my head, soft words in Romanian that I knew were endearments.
“My strong, perfect little mate.” His arms tightened around me, and I closed my eyes and sighed as his whispered words filtered through me. I let my male take me back into our new home, and he didn’t stop until we were in the bathroom. He held me the whole time as he started the bath, adding the lavender oils he knew I’d grown to love since being in the estate. Once we were both in the tub with Luca behind me, I was taken back to just a few days before when he’d first done this.
I was lost in the sensations of his hands running over my body gently, as he ran soap along my too tender flesh. I rested my head back fully against his chest and sighed in contentment. It was as if he knew how sensitive my body was and was mindful of that fact.
“The first few times you shift, it’s painful, and when you’re back in your human form, your body is ultrasensitive.” His voice was low and soothing, and I was so thankful since my senses were heightened to the point the dimmed bathroom light was almost too bright. “But it gets easier, and before long, there is no more pain, just this euphoric feeling of finally being in your animal.” He kissed my temple and whispered, “I love you, sweetling.”
I wanted to talk about shifting, wanted to learn all I could from his perspective. I’m sure he had questions too, but I had no answers to them. I didn't even know if I’d be able to shift again. I didn't know if I’d have to experience heightened emotions to be my animal. I hoped so, because I had to admit that I loved that feral, intense feeling of letting her take control.
I placed a hand over his arm that was a thickly muscled band across my chest now, as if he was afraid I’d leave. “I love you too, Luca.” And I did. Gods, I loved this man and everything he was, everything he stood for. I loved him more than anything else.
I had no idea what the future held or if we’d face any other obstacles, but I was ready. Because I knew, at the end of it, I’d be standing with my mate and all would be well. I knew that with everything in me.
And with that last thought, I let my mate take care of me.
32
Luca
The following evening
I couldn’t fucking breathe and reached up to adjust the collar of my shirt.
“You look great, but even I can sense you’re nervous.”
I looked down at the sweet face of my mate and felt her words seep into me and calm my pounding heart.
Whether she thought so or not, I was prepared to get into another all-out brawl with her father and brothers. I wasn’t convinced they’d be anywhere near accepting of our mating, no matter what they told her.
Although I’d much prefer a neutral place to do this meeting, my Ainslee felt more comfortable at her family home, and I was not going to deny her anything.
After the Adryan situation, Ainslee called her family. Although every protective instinct in me roared that I wanted to be the only one to take care of her, I was trying to educate myself that she had others besides me, and I needed to get used to letting her have that.
I was pleased that Banner, once he found out about the bullshit Adryan pulled, had wanted to go after the male and rip his throat out. I would have been at the front of that line in an instant. But everyone needed to “cool off and calm down,” as Ainslee had said. And for her, I could back off. For now. But if that prick stepped foot near my mate again, there would be no stopping me from leveling him until there was nothing left.
So here we were, standing in front of the massive double wooden doors, the engravings and wolfen details speaking of their ancestry. She slid her hand into mine and looked up at me, a soft smile playing across her lips. I couldn’t help myself. I dipped my head low and stole a kiss, savoring it, letting her give me strength as I got through the next moments.
