Page 72 of The Hidden Guardian

“They are born in human form just like when they are conceived. Transformation doesn’t happen until age seventeen or eighteen, depending on the full moon.”

“That answered my next question … they don’t go all wolf-mode during sex, do they?”

“Well, I can’t exactly speak from experience.” She shrugs. “But I’ve seen enough happen on the cave floor to know that they are human when it’s going down.”

“Good. I don’t know what I was expecting.” My cheeks redden. “But I felt like I should ask.”

“That reminds me, the full moon is in two days.” Onai wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“I know, I’ve been feeling it coming all week.”

Onai pauses, eyes narrowing. “You canfeelit?”

“Yeah, like a prickle against my skin. Can’t you?”

“No. The moon makes the wolves react. What you are experiencing must be through your link with Renall.”

“Oh, I never considered that.”

A quiet grows between us but then Onai breaks out into a fit of giggles. “I still can’t believe you picture us birthing animals.”

“I don’t know, I haven’t seen the children. I mean, honestly, at this point, nothing would surprise me.”

Renall snorts and rolls over. We lower our voices as we continue.

“I guess you could do it in wolf form if you really tried, but that’s all teeth and claws. I don’t think you’d enjoy it … Unless there’s something about you I don’t know.”

“Oh, hush now.” I throw a pillow at her. “I’m never telling you anything ever again.”

* * *

Renal groans and rolls off the bed as Onai and I are saying goodbye. He grunts. I glance over to find him gripping his shoulder.

“You’re still hurt.” It’s a statement. I know he won’t admit weakness to me so I help him to his feet and pull him into the bathroom to inspect it.

“It will heal soon.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to suffer with it.”

He just looks at me as I pull out some glass jars and fuss over him. His wolf healing will no doubt take care of it soon, but I can’t ignore the fact that he’s hurt, and I need to fix it. That tingling in my gut calling me into action. He remains silent and still as I clean off the blood from his chest. Matted into his hair everywhere.

“You’re covered in so much blood, I can’t tell if it’s yours or not.” I sigh, placing my cloth down. “That’s it, you need a bath.” Reaching behind me, I pull the lever and the room slowly fills with steam and the sounds of running water.

“It’s just blood,”he tells me.

“When have I ever given you the impression I like the sight or scent of blood?”

“You didn’t seem to mind it when you were killing everyone.”

After a pause, I add, “Strangling is usually bloodless.”

“Not the way you did it …”he smirks.

Not having a retort, I slip my bloody clothes to the floor, and he freezes. His breath caught in his throat as I slide my underwear down my legs and slip into the amethyst tub. The warm water soothes my muscles as I slipped lower into the water.

Renall remains there, watching me.

“Are you going to join me?” I slide back, giving him room. Motioning for him to sit in front of me.

---