There be no denying that her energy called to me. Be it her power manifesting itself, or something more? Regardless, it be something I needed to resist.
Easier said than done. Memories of her riding me stiffened every fibre. But I be Bellati, and trained to conquer my emotions.
Teammates often had to assist each other. It be part of working as a unit. But if I could keep the contact to a minimum, I should be fine.
I deliberately did not look at Anna as I joined the team.
“You going beast, mate?” Matt asked me.
My suddenly thundering heart added impetus to my snapped response. “I most certainly be not your mate.”
Mari straightened. “Forgive him his idiocy, sir. His localized version of Formal includes some truly bewildering descriptive phrases.”
Anna snorted a laugh, while Matt glared at Mari. “Mate means friend,” the big Dire growled. His gaze slid to Anna. “Most of the time.”
Anna looked away, and I be unprepared for the surge of rage that pushed at me. I shoved my horned and horny alter ego back where it belonged, and schooled my features into the instructor stoicism. But my voice retained hints of anger, the words clipped and tense. “I be on your team. Does you think I should shift to beast?”
They eyed me, clearly assessing the question for what it be—a test. It be Anna who answered.
“Your equine form’s main strength is speed,” she said. “That is not our team’s forte.”
“Because of me, you mean?” Mari asked.
“You bring other things to this team,” Anna be quick to point out.
“But I can’t use my Shaker talent,” Mari protested.
“You’re strong as a bloody ox,” Matt interjected.
Mari frowned. “What is an ox? And why is it bloody?”
“An ox is a very powerful animal from our realm,” Anna told her. “And you are very strong. And smart. Those are major assets to the team.”
The Dorinthian looked relieved. The big Dire’s particular dialect did take some getting used to, but without Darius and Aaron in the mix, the energy between these three flowed easily.
Anna turned back to me. “Because we will not be utilizing speed, I believe that you are best off in your human form.”
“Does the team concur?” I asked, looking from Mari to Matt. The Dire’s eyes shone as he regarded Anna. I stifled my own reaction to it. I told myself that, on a practical team level, attachment could be an issue.
Never mind what it did to my own sense of balance.
Matt said, “So we’re down a Unicorn. What about me?”
“Clarity of communication is not your asset,” Mari noted. “Perhaps you are best off as a beast.”
“Hey. My beast can talk,” Matt protested. “But if we’re going bush, maybe fur is a bonza idea.”
I gritted my teeth and waited for Anna’s assessment of this nearly incomprehensible speech.
“Your beast is agile—that may be advantageous,” Anna agreed, glancing at me.
“It’s your decision,” I ground out. My tone be enough for her to shoot me an uncertain look. But I be convinced she would consider the options with care. Even when Darius had been with them, the true team leader had been Anna.
“Okay,” she said. “Matt will be beast. The rest of us will be on two legs.”
Matt stripped, and I noticed Anna’s face redden as she turned her back. The energy between them flared wildly—the undercurrents be enough to have me averting my eyes and reciting the Bellati code of ethics.
It didn’t help. I’d never had such issues with control over my own body.
