Larissa moved to a relatively secluded spot near the edge of the clearing, her hands going to the buttons of her shirt.
As she began to undress, Larissa was struck by an unexpected wave of self-consciousness.She had shifted countless times before, never giving a second thought to the brief instant of nudity it required.But now, with Malcolm nearby, that nudity left herexposedin a way that had nothing to do with her lack of clothing.
Unable to stop herself, Larissa glanced across the clearing.Her breath caught as Malcolm, his back to her, pulled his shirt over his head.Sunlight and shadows played across the strong planes of his back, highlighting the ripple of muscles beneath his skin.
Larissa quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks burning.But not before Malcolm turned, catching her looking.
She glanced up again, and their eyes met for a charged moment—one that made her heart race in a way that had nothing to do with the impending hunt.
Flustered, Larissa quickly finished undressing.She closed her eyes, reaching for that place deep inside where her wolf resided, waiting for her muscles to tighten, to twist.For her bones to crack and re-form in a flash of pain that disappeared almost instantly.
The change rippled through her, a surge of power that never failed to exhilarate her.
Soon, Larissa stood on four paws, her senses exploding with new information.
The forest came alive around her in a way her human form could never fully appreciate.She could smell the individual scents of her packmates, feel the vibrations of the earth beneath her paws.
She shook out her coat, relishing the strength and freedom that came with her wolf form.
Larissa knew she was fast and agile, built for both speed and endurance.
Almost against her will, Larissa’s gaze was again drawn to Malcolm.
He’d also finished shifting.His wolf form was impressive—large and powerfully built, with a coat of deep charcoal gray.He radiated strength and confidence, every inch the alpha he aspired to be.His mere presence tugged at Larissa in a way that went beyond just physical attraction.There was something about him in this form that called to her on a primal level.
Before she could dwell on that dangerous thought, Nick’s human voice cut through the clearing.“Hunters, to your marks!”
Larissa padded to the starting line, her mind already racing with potential strategies.She knew these woods well, had hunted in them her entire life.And of course, she’d also studied maps and terrain reports extensively.
“Begin!”
At Nick’s signal, Larissa exploded into motion.She raced into the forest, her paws eating up the ground in long, powerful strides.
The wolf part of her exulted in the sheer joy of the run—the wind in her fur, the earth beneath her feet, the sounds and smells that made up the forest.
But the human part of her mind remained alert, analyzing every input.She caught the scent of their prey almost immediately—a sharp, musky odor that stood out from the general forest smells.
Larissa began to plot an intercept course, using her knowledge of the terrain to predict where the fox might be heading.
As she ran, Larissa also kept track of her packmates.She heard them crashing through the underbrush, smelled their excitement.
But one scent stood out above all others—Malcolm’s.
Somehow, she always seemed to know exactly where he was, as if some part of her was attuned specifically to him.
That’s good, she tried to convince herself.He can’t pull any tricks on me if I always know where he is.
Larissa pushed herself harder, determined to outpace and outthink her rival.She used the natural features of the landscape to her advantage, taking shortcuts over fallen logs and through dense thickets that other, bigger wolves—like Malcolm—might avoid.
As she burst into a small glade, Larissa skidded to a stop.
Dammit!
Malcolm was already there, having apparently had the same idea she had.
How did I end up losing track of him, after all?
They regarded each other, neither willing to back down.
