Page 33 of Moon Destiny

A cream colored wolf stared back at me. My nose was coal black, and my eyes were a brilliant, unearthly blue. My fur was thick and rich looking. Ridiculous tufts of downy hair graced the tips of my ears, reminding me of the Persian cat I’d had as a child.

Hugh was a study in contrasts beside me, his brown fur the same dark shade as his human hair color. His green eyes were the same, too, and they seemed to smile as he watched our reflections. We stayed like that for a minute, our paws in the creek and the sun slanting through the tops of the trees to sparkle in the water. It was so still and peaceful. Part of me wanted to lie down right where I was and take a nap.

As if he sensed my lethargy, Hugh jerked his head in the direction we’d come from. The message was clear: time to head back. He was probably right. If I rested now, I wasn’t sure I could get back up again. At the moment, I felt like I could sleep for a week.

Sighing, I fell into step beside him. We went more slowly this time, picking our way over the leaf-strewn forest floor. The return trip seemed to take longer, and not just because we weren’t running this time. With each step, my muscles screamed in protest and I felt thirsty all over again. I focused on the crunch of Hugh’s footfalls beside me, matching my paces to his rhythm. My head drooped, so I was surprised when I stumbled over my clothes. Hugh had left them in a neat pile at the edge of the forest.

He moved silently back into the trees. A minute later, heavy breathing and the rustle of leaves confirmed he was reversing his shift. I stared at my clothes. How the hell was I supposed to shift back? If I waited for him to talk me through it, he’d see me make that disgusting change again.

Not happening.

I hunkered down and closed my eyes. Please, I asked my beast. Help me out. Something inside me fluttered…and then heat streaked through me like lightning.

Relief swept me as I began to shift. It was slow going this time. It also hurt like a bitch, but I was too grateful to care. After what felt like hours of agony, I huddled on my hands and knees with my heart threatening to pound from my chest. A blanket settled over me, and then I was staring into the eyes of a concerned-looking Hugh. He wore his sweatpants once more, and his chest was sheened with sweat. The hair at his temples was damp, too, and it in no way detracted from his hotness.

“You okay? He tipped my chin up and searched my face like he was too impatient to wait for my answer.

“Yes,” I said breathlessly. My skin tingled where he touched me, and his scent washed over me, the evergreen and leather combo as familiar and comfortable as the blanket.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “You did better than I expected.”

I raised a brow as I tried to ignore how my heart was pounding harder. “That feels like a backhanded compliment.”

I wasn’t sure what kind of response I expected, but I wasn’t prepared for the slow smile that stole across his face—or the way it made me forget how to breathe. We stayed like that, inches apart and smiling at each other like a couple of idiots.

Like a couple.

The thought came out of nowhere, as clear and piercing as an arrow. Heat licked through me. I couldn’t move or breathe, not with the way he was looking at me. Almost like he was going to…

His gaze dipped to my mouth.

My heart became a drum in my ears. The wind picked up, bringing new scents. But I was only vaguely aware of them. My lungs were full of Hugh.

Something flickered in his eyes. He dropped his hand. “We should get back to the house.”

The abrupt statement was like a blast of cold air. My smile faltered, then I gathered the blanket in suddenly stiff fingers. “Of course.”

He stood, and when he extended a hand he was no longer smiling. “Did you hear me in your head?” he asked as he helped me up.

I stopped fussing with the blanket. “No…was I supposed to?”

“It’ll come with time. It’s…” As he trailed off, his features lost their soft edges. He was the alpha once more.

“It’s what?” I asked warily.

“Sometimes turned wolves struggle with mental communication. One theory says it’s because the majority of humans are turned as adults, so the brain is kind of set in its ways for lack of a better term.”

Just like that, the divide between us slammed back into place. I wasn’t like him. He’d said it himself. I wasn’t good enough. I never would be.

We’d come out here today so I could shift and get out of his life as soon as possible. So I could get my life back as soon as possible. I wanted that more than anything…didn’t I?

Out of nowhere, my wolf stirred hard in my chest, its displeasure so sharp I caught my breath. NO came its response, the protest so forceful I could almost hear it in my mind, as if the beast had spoken aloud. A wave of dizziness crashed over me, and for a second I felt like I might shift without trying. Like the beast would tear her way out of my skin and take over.

Hugh’s gaze sharpened. “You sure you’re okay?”

I eased deliberately from his grip, and it was slightly maddening to know I only managed it because he allowed it. Before he could change his mind, I bent and gathered my clothes. “I’m great,” I said brightly.

Then I walked toward the trees so I could dress in private—and so he couldn’t see the confusion I was certain showed on my face.

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