Page 85 of Dark Bonds

Frankie

Run.Run with the darkness.

Everything’s a blur as I tear through the woods. God, I’ve never moved this fast in my life. My paws barely touch the ground, each stride propelling me forward with a speed and grace I’ve never known before. Exhilaration rushes through me with my first shifted run.

To my left, Leo’s massive shadow lion effortlessly keeps pace, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief and excitement. On my right, Matteo’s sleek shadow panther moves with calculated precision.

The cool night air rushes through my fur as we weave between ancient trees, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers against the star-studded sky. Every scent and sound is heightened in this form. I can smell the rich earth beneath my paws, hear the rustling of small creatures scurrying away from our approach, and feel the pulsing energy of the shadow realm that now seems to flow through me.

As we burst into a moonlit clearing, I feel a sudden urge to return to my human form. I slow to a stop, my chest heaving with exertion and excitement. Leo and Matteo flank me, their large feline bodies radiating warmth and strength.

I close my eyes, focusing on the shift. It comes easier this time, a fluid transformation that leaves me standing barefoot in the cool grass, my skin tingling with residual energy. The night air hits my skin, and I realize I’m buck naked. I should feel exposed, but weirdly, I feel stronger than ever.

I’m naked, but the shadows seem to cling to me, offering a semblance of cover.

I look around, trying to make sense of it all. It’s our island, but... not, like someone took reality and twisted it sideways. The trees, while familiar, hold a magic that doesn’t exist elsewhere.

I’ve jogged through this forest more times than I can count. I know the path, and I know the trees, yet as I look at it now, I realize I know nothing.

The trees look darker and kind of creepy, but to me, it just feels right, like this is how trees are supposed to be.

Shit, am I even making sense?

The shadows pulse and undulate before me, stretching and gripping the ground before snapping back into place. There is so much to see and learn that I feel overwhelmed and yet at home all at once.

I turn to face Leo and Matteo, who have also shifted back to their human forms. Their eyes are wide with wonder, and I feel a blush creep up my cheeks under their intense gazes.

“Damn, Frankie.” Leo grins, looking like an excited puppy. “That was freaking awesome!”

He takes a step toward me, the excitement in his eyes never wavering before he stops. I do my best not to look down, because he is very naked, and I want to look everywhere.

Somehow, he is respectable enough not to drag his gaze down my body, even though that is exactly what I want from him right now.

Matteo nods, his dark eyes analytical as they scan me. “Your adaptation rate is extraordinary, Frankie. The speed at which you’re mastering these abilities... You’re perfect.”

I bite my lip, trying not to look down. Damn, his words make me feel all tingly. My body’s practically humming, and an electrical surge strikes my clit with fierce pulses.

“It felt incredible,” I admit, my voice a mix of excitement and introspection. “Like I was finally tapping into a power that’s always been there, waiting. It just needed to burst free to...” I shake my head, words failing me. “Break through.”

Leo chuckles, closing the distance between us. He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of red hair from my face. “You just needed a push.” His eyes dip to my lips, and I watch as he swallows before dragging his gaze back up to mine. “You’re beautiful, Echo.”

For the first time since he chose that pet name, I finally ask, “Why do you call me Echo?”

His eyes soften, a mix of playfulness and something deeper flickering in their depths. “Because, Frankie, you’re like an echo in the shadow realm. You resonate with it and amplify its power. Every move you make, every shift, it’s like the shadows are singing back to you.” He pauses, his voice lowering to a near whisper. “And because, like an echo, you’ve left an indelible mark on me since the first moment I heard your voice.”

I feel warmth spread through my chest at his words, touched by the thoughtfulness behind the nickname. It’s so quintessentially Leo—playful on the surface, but with layers of meaning underneath.

“Echo,” I repeat softly, testing the name on my lips. “I like it.”

Leo’s grin widens, his hand moving to cup my cheek. “Good, because I wasn’t planning on stopping anytime soon.”

Matteo steps closer, resting his hand on the small of my back. The touch sends a shiver up my spine. “You’re a trueshadow shifter, and an exceptional one at that. Your progress is unprecedented.”

The intensity of the moment washes over me. Standing here, bare beneath the moonlight, with these two incredible men looking at me like I’m something precious and powerful is almost too much. I feel a connection to them that goes beyond the physical, a bond forged in shadow and strengthened by shared experiences.

“As exhilarating as this is,” I say, my voice low, “I feel as though I can’t even enjoy this moment.” Sadness brushes against my senses, and I look up into the dark sky. It’s a mirror of the human realm, and yet it feels so different. “This world is dying, and I just got here.”

Leo’s expression sobers for a moment before a mischievous grin spreads across his face. “Well then, my shadowy queen, let’s enjoy every moment we have. Bet you can’t outrun me now!”

---