Page 16 of Love, Clumsily
He was quiet for a moment, considering. “It’s… freedom,” he finally said. “In human form, we’re always holding back, always conscious of our strength, our senses, our instincts. In wolf form, especially under the full moon, we can just… be. Run without worrying about being too fast. Hunt without hiding. Feel everything.”
The way he described it made it sound beautiful rather than frightening. “And what should I expect? As the token human?”
“Most of us will shift and run in the forest for a while. Hunt, play, just enjoy the moon. Some will stay in wolf form all night, others will shift back to human form later. There’s usually a bonfire, and those of us who shift back gather around it.” He paused, nuzzling my neck. “As my mate, you’ll be under my protection. No one would dare harm you, but even if something unusual happened, I wouldn’t leave your side.”
“So I just… hang out with a bunch of wolves, and then later, possibly naked werewolves around a fire?”
He laughed softly. “Something like that. We do have robes stationed around the property for when people shift back.”
“How considerate,” I teased, turning in his arms to face him. His eyes were definitely more gold than amber now, his pupils slightly elongated. “You’re starting to change already.”
He nodded. “The moon affects us even before it rises. Heightens everything—senses, emotions, desires.” His voice deepened on the last word, and his hands tightened on my waist.
“Desires, huh?” I said, pressing closer to him. “Like what?”
A rumbling sound vibrated through his chest. “Like the desire to claim my mate before I shift,” he murmured, lowering his head to nuzzle at my neck. “To make sure everyone can smell me on you tonight.”
The possessiveness in his voice sent heat pooling low in my belly. “We don’t have much time before sunset,” I pointed out, even as I tilted my head to give him better access.
“Enough time,” he growled, his teeth—sharper now, definitely not human—grazing my pulse point. “Need you, Julian.”
Who was I to argue with that? I captured his mouth in a hungry kiss, tangling my fingers in his hair and tugging lightly in the way I knew drove him crazy. He groaned into my mouth, his hands sliding down to grip my ass and lift me effortlessly.
I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bed, our mouths still fused together. He laid me down with surprising gentleness given the obvious struggle for control evident in the tension of his muscles.
“Too many clothes,” he muttered, tugging at my shirt with hands that trembled slightly.
I sat up enough to pull my shirt over my head, then reached for his, eager to feel his skin against mine. He helped, practically tearing the fabric in his haste. The moment our bare chests pressed together, he made that rumbling sound again—not quite a growl, not quite a purr, but something uniquely werewolf that I’d come to associate with pleasure.
His mouth moved to my neck, then down to my chest, teeth and tongue exploring familiar territory with new urgency. When he reached my nipple and bit down gently, I arched up with a gasp.
“Mason,” I breathed, my hands clutching at his shoulders.
He looked up at me, and the sight nearly stopped my heart. His eyes were fully golden now, glowing softly in the dimming room. His canines had elongated into definite fangs, visible when he parted his lips. There was something wild in his expression—something that should have frightened me but instead sent a thrill of excitement through me.
“Still okay?” he asked, his voice rougher and deeper than normal.
“More than okay,” I assured him, reaching down to unfasten my jeans. “Just impatient.”
A smile spread across his face, revealing more of those impressive teeth. “Demanding little mate,” he teased, but he helped me strip off my remaining clothes before standing to remove his own.
Chapter 7
Naked, Mason was even more impressive than usual. His body seemed larger somehow, more defined, the muscles under his skin shifting in ways that weren’t quite human. When he rejoined me on the bed, covering my body with his, the heat of him was incredible—like lying beneath a living furnace.
“You’re so hot,” I murmured, running my hands down his back.
“Thank you,” he replied with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes. “I meant your temperature, but yes, that too.”
He laughed, the sound deeper than usual, and captured my mouth in another searing kiss. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, stroking, exploring, claiming. When he finally wrapped one large hand around both our cocks, pressing them together, I broke the kiss with a gasp.
“God, Mason,” I moaned, thrusting up into his grip.
“Mine,” he growled, his rhythm increasing. “My mate. Want everyone to smell me on you tonight. In you.”
The possessiveness in his voice sent another wave of heat through me. “Yes,” I agreed, not entirely sure what I was agreeing to but certain I wanted it.
