Page 46 of Reaper
Am I dying?
“What?No, beautiful.This is my fault.”
How?
“When I claimed you, I released venom into your system without limiting the amount.I was too far gone to realize that my venom might affect you in this way.According to Liv, your cells mutated from the amount I released into your system, and this morning you will become a fully developed shifter.”His voice broke on the last word.
Everything about the night Reaper had claimed her rushed back, and she could recall details that her human mind would’ve already forgotten.Every word that had been spoken between them, his declaration of love, etched into her memory.Reaper had never put her at risk, but he looked horrified that she would become a shifter.
Did you…not want me anymore?Is that why you’re upset by this?
“Fuck!No, beautiful.I didn’t know that there was a possibility that you might become a shifter.All I thought about since I found you again is wanting to claim you as my own.I’ve never met a shifter who’d met their mate, so it never crossed my mind that my bite might cause you to change, but I don’t regret it.I just regret the pain you’ve gone through.Trust me, beautiful, there is nothing more that I want in this world than you.”Reaper rubbed a spot on his chest.
I love you, Reaper.
The change in Reaper made her regret not being brave enough to tell him sooner.She had wanted to, a million times, but the time had never been right.She had no idea what would happen after she became a shifter, but she needed him to know how much she loved him.
“I love you, too, Ara.”
His words and his presence allowed her to relax her taut body, and the pressure lessened.
Am I going to shift?
“Yes. The pain you experienced yesterday along with the fever culminates in your first shift.”
Her hands unclenched and released the hold she had on the mat underneath her.Although she didn’t trust herself to move, she forced herself to unlock her muscles slowly.Before she could relax into a sitting position, his words sunk in.
What pain yesterday?
“It’s Monday morning, beautiful.Early Sunday morning, I found you in pain, and I tried everything to keep your fever down.Liv took a sample of your blood, and that’s how we realized what was happening to you.”His hand reached for her and hesitated.
You can touch me—I’m fine.
He caressed her cheek using a single finger with gentle strokes, worried that his touch would cause her to cry out in pain.She leaned into his hand, and the familiar smell of forest and rain settled inside her.She knew that whatever happened, she would have Reaper by her side.
Her back arched, moving her face away from his hand.
Reaper settled down next to her and placed his hand on her back.He rubbed slow, deliberate circles as she transitioned, and because of his calming presence, she settled into it and allowed the change to happen.
Closing her eyes to concentrate on Reaper’s touch and the changes in her body, she smiled when she could feel the bones in her legs elongate.
“Whatever you do, don’t tense.It slows down the shift and it could make it unbearable for you.”Reaper continued to rub her back.
Under his distracting touch, she could feel her face contort and expand outward into a muzzle.Her teeth grew and she opened her mouth, unsure whether she would nick her lips that were thinning.The most amazing sight was that of her hands transforming into huge paws covered with red and white fur.Noticing the changes in her, she reveled at the fact how easy it became once she followed Reaper’s advice.When she finished shifting, everything around her looked sharper, including Reaper.He was an extraordinarily handsome man.
His brow drew down with concern, and before she thought about it, she opened her mouth to reassure him.A low whine escaped and the sound stopped her movements.
What was that?
“You have the same vocalization as a wolf.”
She nodded, the action unnatural in her state, and took a tentative step toward him.He smiled at her caution, but with slow movements, she circled the bathroom with ease.Soon, her instinct to run and stretch her new muscles had her glancing up at Reaper, who beamed at her.
Do you think that we can take a run?
“Yeah.Let’s get downstairs and we can talk to Ghost about it.The sun won’t be up for another two hours, so we should be fine under the cover of darkness.”
She followed him out the door and down the stairs.The act of walking on four legs, which should have taken some time to get used to, felt natural to her.Within minutes, she had grown confident in her movements.That was, until they reached the bottom of the stairs.
