Page 47 of Reaper
She stiffened beside Reaper the moment several distinct aromas struck her senses.The unfamiliar smells had her hackles rising.Reaper ran his hands across her back to reassure her.
“It’s okay—it’s the others.”
Of course, she had forgotten about the heightened sense of smell.She relaxed the arch of her spine and unlocked her muscles.She followed behind Reaper as they walked into the living room, and she took the time to really scent Reaper.While human, she could only detect wood and rain, but with her wolf nose, there was a spicy tinge along with the calming scent of damp earth.It made her want to burrow her head against his chest.
She became distracted by thoughts of Reaper and didn’t notice that the conversation in the living room had ceased.As she glanced around, everyone in the room stared at her, and she cursed herself for not glancing at her wolf form in the mirror.She wondered what breed of wolf she was, but her questions would have to wait.
In her wolf form, her legs were longer than a typical wolf.Her paws were large, about the size of a St. Bernard or Mastiff, and when she glanced at the others, her head tilted slightly to see them.
Their silence made her anxious.
“She’s beautiful,” Liv whispered.
Ara bowed her head in thanks, and sat back on her haunches to relax until she could stretch her muscles.
“We’re going to take a run around the property,” Reaper said.
Murmurs erupted and she surged to her feet.She needed to stretch her muscles, and didn’t know whether she could do that without going outside.She sensed someone watching her, and when she turned, Ghost met her gaze.He understood the urge to run, and soon, they had permission.
“Stay close to the perimeter of the house, and call if you have any trouble,” Ghost said.
She wanted to thank him but Reaper ushered her to the laundry room, which had an outer door they would leave through.He started stripping; with each piece he removed, she felt the tension in her body ratchet up.With her enhanced sight, her eyes roamed over him and she couldn’t suppress the whine escaped her.
“Beautiful, when we get back, you can do anything you want to me, but for now, let’s run.”
Envy coursed through her as Reaper shifted into his wolf seamlessly.She shivered as the heat in his eyes remained, although he was in wolf form.
Kai opened the door for them, and she bolted out the door.The moment her paws hit the snow, a whimper of satisfaction escaped her throat.By instinct, she lengthened her stride as the trees whipped past her at what should have been an alarming rate.Inside, she delighted at how freeing it felt to be outside.Her mind went blank, and she enjoyed Reaper’s company and the crisp, clean mountain air of the Rockies.
For over an hour, they both remained quiet as she explored the world in her new form.Although she’d never given a thought to becoming a shifter, a peace that she’d felt since she changed form had grown.For the first time in her life, she truly felt free to be happy and loved.
Throughout their run, she hadn’t noticed where they headed, but when she spotted Kai’s house, the fatigue from her first run weighed her down.
Tired?
Yes.I don’t understand it.She slowed to a walk as he did the same next to her.
It’s your first shift.It takes a lot of energy.After several more times, your body will be used to the stress.
Her eyes met Reaper’s and she marveled how quickly her life had changed.All because of the man next to her.He had rescued her, although she had no idea she needed him at the time.Now, he was essential in her life.
This time Liv opened the door for them, and as Ara walked through the door, a tingle started across her spine again.She whined, capturing Reaper’s attention, and he shifted back swiftly before donning his clothes.He kneeled in front of her and cupped her furry face in his hands.
“It’s okay.You’re shifting back because you don’t have enough energy to sustain your wolf form.”
Well, shit.
