Page 17 of Raven

Yet, my eyes betrayed me as they flicked towards her. A surge of heat coursed through my body, igniting every inch of my skin. I frantically pushed any thoughts of arousal aside, filling my mind with images of mundane tasks and everyday objects. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to see the effect he had on me—especially not Stephen, who would never let me live it down.

My heart raced as I swallowed hard, forcing myself to turn away from the scene. My eyes landed on Stephen’s half shifted form, his body contorting and transforming before me. Orange fur poked through his translucent skin, rippling muscles and bones creating an otherworldly appearance. Stephen's face was caught in mid-shift, his tiger features protruding out where his human nose and mouth had once been. I dug my fingers into the cool earth below me, grounding myself and calling forth my panther. Tia stood at my side, her presence pulling at me, even in my peripheral vision.

With every movement she made, there was an undeniable grace that flowed seamlessly. The cool night breezes signalled the coming of winter, causing her skin to ripple in anticipation. Her breaths quickened, and I saw her chest rise and fall rhythmically. Eyes closed, she began to shift.

Pulling my gaze from her transitioning form, I forced myself to focus on my own change. My fingers began to retract as claws sprouted forth, slicing through the cold air with a hunger of their own. A growl rumbled deep in my chest as my panther seized control, claiming dominance over my human form. The sensation was intense, an adrenaline-filled battle between man and beast that never got easier with time.

My spine arched painfully as fur sprouted all over my body, starting from my lower back and spreading upwards like a wildfire. My legs buckled under their own weight as they reshaped themselves into powerful hindquarters, while my arms lengthened into lethal paws.

Despite the pain and disorientation of transformation, I could still sense her. Tia. Her scent filled the air, stirring emotions. It was intoxicating, she was intoxicating.

I roared into the chilly night air as my transformation completed. My green eyes burnt with primal ferocity as I turned back to look at Tia once again.

She had completed her shift too—an elegant panther standing tall in the moonlight. Her soft green eyes radiated warmth even amidst the cold night winds, captivating me instantly. A pang of something akin to longing made me growl low in my throat. I flexed my powerful paws into the earth as if trying to ground myself from the growing pull to her.

She moved, a graceful shadow under the moon's soft glow, her body seemingly flowing like water over rocks. The sight of her nearly undid me, and I had to force back another growl that threatened to bubble from my throat. My panther prowled restlessly pulling at my control.

As our panthers emerged, in the place where Cade had shifted, a grey wolf now stood. Bright blue eyes shone out, taking in the surroundings. He stretched his back, almost as if reaching up to touch the moon itself. We were all magnificent.

It was a shame that Humans were so closed-minded. They missed out on such beauty, on what they could be a part of.

We were all ready.

Stephen was the first to move, his upper lip curling in a low snarl directed at me. It wasn’t anger or a prelude to a fight, but a game—a challenge. Daring me to confront the higher-ranking shifter. To vie for the girl?

I bowed to no one.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped forward, a growl vibrating through my body in response. I swear, that tiger was grinning at me, but there wasn’t a chance in hell I was backing down. I wasn’t built that way. It didn’t matter if Stephen's status was higher than mine; I'd rise to the challenge. I circled him, exuding my own sense of dominance and control.

In a real fight, there would be blood and claws. There would be a victor, but it wouldn’t be easy, and neither of us would emerge unscathed.

Tia and Cade watched us, with Cade issuing a low warning: Take it easy.

But the grin on Stephen's tiger face only widened. There was no taking this easy. Without warning, he slashed a paw through the dirt, flinging bits of sand and stone into my face.

Piece of shit.

Cheater.

I spluttered, instinctively closing my eyes and turning my head away. When I opened my eyes, Stephen had vanished.

His message was clear.

Catch me if you can.

And I would, if it was the last thing I did.

I bolted in the direction of his fading scent. My panther was swift, powerful. My muscles contracted and extended with each stride as I raced through the night. The trees swished past, their towering forms nothing more than dark smears againstthe moonlit sky. Up ahead, Stephen’s laughter—a growling, low sound filled the forest and echoed in my ears.

Tia was hot on my tail, her own lithe feline form darting between the trees with surprising speed for a panther. I could hear her breaths—heavy and ragged—even over the thundering of my own heart.

Cade brought up the rear, his wolf form blending seamlessly into the darkness. His eyes were on me, watching me chase after Stephen with an intensity that bordered on fervour.

The game was afoot.

Suddenly, Stephen burst from a cluster of bushes, his striped form blurring as he sprinted away. His roguish grin flashed in the faint light as he ducked and weaved through the trees—always just out of reach.

I launched myself at him, my claws digging into the earth as I propelled myself forward. Just as I was about to connect, he swerved to avoid me in an explosion of leaves and dirt.

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