Page 36 of Blackmailed

“If we’re done with all the yammering, how about some of the apple cake Aurora made? I have been craving it since it came out of the oven,” Mackenzie said.

“Wait,” Tate stated. “Is that some kind of code for getting laid? Because I’m down for some ‘apple cake,’ too.”

Lorenzo laughed. “He’s a little anxious about tonight, you’ll have to forgive him.”

Kalkin barked out a laugh. “All those in favor of apple cake say aye.”

****

By the time they cleaned off the table, put the leftovers—or what could be considered leftovers—away, and did the dishes, the moon was beginning to rise. Already Jefferson’s skin tingled. It was like a million sparks of electricity snapped across his flesh, awakening the nerve endings below the surface. It was different than what he’d felt while on his run earlier in the morning. This stirring was a different type of need.

“I think it’s going to work,” Kalkin murmured as they stepped outside after he'd returned from dropping the teens at the community center. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve touched a live wire,” Jefferson said. “Everything is more acute too. Smell. Taste. Sight. My body tingles too.”

“Good,” Kalkin replied. “As the Alpha, I can help you through this, but I also think you should try on your own. You’re not a child attempting his first shift.”

“Right,” Jefferson agreed. “So, what do I do?”

“Picture in your mind your wolf, when you see him, coax him forward. It’s like letting a pet out to go to the bathroom in the morning. Once you step aside, the wolf will come out.”

“Will the wolf only come out on the full moon?”

Kalkin shook his head. “No. I think once you get the hang of it, you’ll shift whenever it feels right.”

“Makes sense to me.”

“You’ll have to get naked though,” Kalkin said, pointing to a bench off to the side. “You can put your clothes over there, so they don’t get trampled on.”

“Wait,” Jefferson said. “Everyone gets naked?”

"Shifters and some mates. Not all. It's a choice here, Winters. You do what makes you feel comfortable. Plus, we don't stare at each other's junk. Shifters don't have the same hang-ups about being naked as humans do."

Well, when in Rome.“I understand.”

“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we need to prep for our run before I head to work.” Kalkin patted him on the shoulder then skirted through the crowd of shifters exiting the house to join them.

Jochi came up beside him wearing the red silk robe Jefferson coveted. His mate smelled of wild heat and frost a uniqueness all his own. There was also a flash of unadulterated lust in his emerald green eyes. His mate didn’t say a word as he began to unbutton Jefferson’s shirt while Kalkin explained how the runs worked.

“What are you doing?” Jefferson murmured.

“Getting you ready,” Jochi replied. “Your wolf is very close to the surface.”

“Yeah...I think so too,” Jefferson agreed. “Will it hurt?”

Jochi shook his head. “It’s not how horror movies portray it. It’s more of a warmth from the center of your chest that when it expands outward, it causes your bones to realign and reshape your body. Before you can even say anything, you're on all fours."

“Oh.”

"The energy flowing through all of us will help encourage your wolf to come out as well. If you'd like, I can stay like I am and help you through it," Jochi offered.

Jefferson jumped on it. “I think I’d like that.”

“Perfect.” Jochi took Jefferson’s hand. “It’s beginning. If you don’t want to ruin your pants, you should remove them now.”

He jerked. “Right, of course.”

Once Jefferson was naked the only thought he had before everything in front of him erupted in a giant ball of white, was taking Jochi to the ground and mounting him. He’d been about to say as much when a surge of white-hot energy flowed through him. Like Kalkin told him, the hulking beast within him stepped forward, pushing past Jefferson. The blue-eyed devil gave him a smirk of satisfaction at the same moment his world tilted on its axis.

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