Page 100 of Mated
He sits on his haunches and yawns widely, flashing those long white teeth.
“So impressive,” I tease. “Now how do I shift?”
He opens his mouth wide and roars.
My eyes widen and I still as the almost too deep sound seems to ripple through my body. There is a crash of trees to one side and Caine speeds into the space, his eyes glowing and his hands wreathed in hellfire.
He takes in my nude form and Tanner’s already changed shape with an arched brow. “Never pegged either of you for this kind of thing, but sure.”
My face heats. “He wants to run, but I don’t know how to shift.”
Caine snuffs out the fire on his hands. “Oh. Is that all?” he asks mildly.
I give him a look. “It’s a bit more complicated than that, Caine. But yeah. Sure.”
He walks toward us. “It’s not though, is it?”
“What do you mean?”
One pale hand gestures at Tanner. “The cat gives himself over to his beast. He allows that baser instinct to take control every time he shifts.” His gaze rakes over me. “I believe you are still fighting it. That is why your change has not completed.”
I look at Tanner and his head dips in an almost human nod.
My jaw drops.
It can’t be that simple.
Right?
Except, the night of the full moon, running through the trees of Silver Rock caused the dark mist to swirl around me. And every time I give in to Tanner, to the need he causes or that alpha side of him, I can feel the beast inside me. Railing and wanting to get out.
I stare at Tanner and his silver irises gleam.
“Does it hurt?” I ask.
His head cocks.
“I think that means it depends,” Caine says softly as he approaches me. I peer over. “I have heard from many shifters that the ache of the change depends on how much they fight it. If you give in and let it roll over you, it isn’t as bad.”
My teeth worry at my bottom lip. “So … Just give in?”
He smirks. “I can offer a … way to ease your mind. If you like?”
“Huh?”
“Try getting on all fours,” he remarks. “If you are to turn into a beast, let your body already be in a familiar stance for your mind to follow.”
“Oh. Okay.”
I lower myself down on my hands and knees. The grass is sticky but cool under my skin. Tanner sidles closer, nose inches from mine. He huffs, but his silver eyes are locked behind me.
My head starts to turn and agile fingers slip along the seam of my body.
I jolt. “Caine.”
He slips two long digits into my core and my eyes flutter. “When your mind is on sex, kitten, are you worrying about control?”
I shake my head.
