Page 14 of Claiming Xan
I closed my eyes and tried to focus on breathing. Before the facility, Mom had us both in therapy and believe it or not, I remembered some of the techniques and tricks that the many therapists we’d seen in our younger years had taught us.
In to the count of five. Hold to the count of five. Exhale to the count of five. Hold to the count of five. Repeat.
I was beginning to calm down when there was a knock on my door. It was too soft to be Gracie, which meant… I sat up in bed as the door opened, and sure enough, Xan propped himself up against the doorframe, his hip cocked.
And damn if the Omega wasn’t sexy as hell, all sleek lines and smooth curves, with his tousled dark hair and curious eyes. He must’ve seen me checking him out, because the corner of his lips curled into a pleased smirk.
“Hey. You wanna go for a run?”
His question took me by surprise. I stared for a moment before asking, “What?” like I hadn’t heard him correctly.
“A run?” he repeated, waving a delicate hand through the air. “Like… As wolves? You haven’t seen the territory yet, and I’m bored, so I thought we could take a little jaunt around. It’ll be fun.”
I frowned, because even though the thought was tempting, it set off warning bells in my head. “Didn’t your mother specifically tell you to keep your distance from me?” I pointed out.
Xan scoffed. “Yeah, well. She’s at work till six, and what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Sooo?” He flashed a winning grin and bounced his pierced brows. “What do you say, beefcake?”
Beefcake. There was that name again.
I pushed off the bed and stalked towards him, a growl building in my throat. It rumbled free, but Xan didn’t shy away; he stood his ground, even when I got right up in his face. I wasn’t sure what I was trying to prove. Maybe I was still just pissed at Sky.
“You should be more careful,” I warned, my voice low. “I’m dangerous, Xan.”
Xan tilted his head back, so that we were nearly nose to nose. He smiled, his eyes heavy-lidded, his dark lashes fanning overhis cheeks. “Mmm… Nah, I don’t think so. You’re angry and frustrated and you need an outlet. There’s a difference. You’re like a stressed out, destructive dog with nothing to chew up but the walls.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not a?—”
“Shh.” He pressed a fingertip to my lips to silence me. “C’mon.” Then he turned on his heel and strode away, and I’ll admit, I couldn’t help myself—I checked out his pert little ass in those tight jeans as he did so.
Damn it.
Sighing, I closed my bedroom door and followed him outside.
By the time I reached the front yard, Xan had already shifted into a small, spritely young wolf with gray and tawny fur. He wagged his tail, the tip of it splashed with white, and ran a circle around me, nosing the backs of my legs impatiently.
Exhaling slowly, I called upon my own inner-wolf, who perked to attention immediately. Magic washed over my skin and my soul, and the change was instantaneous. Soon, I was on four paws, staring into Xan’s dark espresso eyes.
He stepped forwards and ducked his muzzle before pressing it into my cheek. I felt his warm breaths whuff against my fur as he breathed me in, scenting me.
I did the same to him. He smelled good, too. Faintly like lemon-drops and other sweet confections.
He backed away, tail still wagging. Then he yipped and dropped into a play-bow, his rump up in the air. I huffed at him. He shot me the most wolfish grin, then turned and sprinted off into the woods with a yip.
I loped after him, feeling a strange zap of something shoot through my chest. Longing? I wasn’t sure, and I pushed the thoughts aside as I caught up to him, our shoulders brushing and bumping against one another.
Xan took me from place to place, showing me where all the scent markers were. My lips curled up at the stink of the Alpha’s urine, where she’d marked her territory, but itwasher pack. Still, a low growl rumbled from deep in my throat and I had to clench my jaws together to keep from baring my teeth.
Xan peered at me, his ears swiveling forwards and back. He watched me for a moment, then wedged his muzzle beneath mine and nudged me away from where we stood. I growled again, but I let him lead me through the woods.
My body was tense, but Xan seemed to know what to do. Prancing around in front of me, he nipped at my ear, then ran ahead a few paces and turned back to me. Expectant. Wanting me to follow him.
So I followed. Together, we dashed through the forest, our paws eating up the distance so easily. The tension all but melted from my body.
How long had it been since I’d been able to really stretch out and run like the wild in my soul desired? How long had it been since I’d howled beneath the light of a full moon?
Up ahead, I could hear the gentle lapping of water against the shoreline, and my ears perked. With a bounce in his steps, Xan galloped towards it, and we broke free of the woods, emerging onto the sandy beach of a large lake.
Xan shifted back and ran a hand through his hair. I hesitated a moment before following suit, and together, we walked along the beach. My shoes sank into the sand with each step, but my eyes were locked on the Omega beside me.
