Page 98 of Fighting Her Wolves

I cuddle with River as Kerian stands guard, enjoying the sensation of his wolf against mine. He lets out a continuous growl mixed with a purr that lulls me to sleep.

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The sun is setting when I lazily open my eyes. Kerian has taken River's spot and nuzzles me. I roll over and stretch out before getting to my feet. River nudges me in the direction of home. I revel in the smell of them and the forest around us. I didn’t give much thought to their ability to smell every little thing. Kerian has to keep stopping to wait for me to catch up when something different comes across my nose.

When we enter the yard, our company sits on the porch, talking. I try to memorize their scents. The vampires don’t have a scent, necessarily. They are void, for lack of a better term. Their voices aren’t as loud as they were when I woke up.

“You’re beautiful,” Serenity says.

“It was an honor to watch your first shift,” Bash says softly. I didn’t notice him in the house. As much as I have given him shit for being nice, I can’t help the pleasure I feel for his kindness.

“Are you ready to change back?” Kerian asks. He shifted and took the pants that Ryker held out to him.

I don’t want to change back. I’m afraid I won’t be able to.

“When I first shifted, it was scary.” Harmony comes to sit in front of me. Except for Kerian and River, all the guys turn their backs on me. “It took a long time to shift back.”

I tilt my head.

“I was in Penny’s bedroom. You should have seen her face when I shifted. Shock is an understatement. I didn’t know what I was, so between us, it was startling. She saw how scared I was and that helped ease her. She stayed with me until I was comfortable enough to shift back.” Her eyes are filled with understanding and patience. “No one here will judge. We will sit with you until you are comfortable,” she assures me.

River put sweatpants on and lay down beside me in the grass. “I love the freedom of being in my wolf form. Remember that this won’t be the only time you shift. That’s the beauty of it; you can be a wolf whenever you want.” His charming grin shines at me.

Kerian sits on my other side. “All you have to do is think about your human body. I made food for you. I was hoping you would wake up today. If you don’t change back to eat it, River will eat it all. I’ve been battling him all day to stay out of it.”

I am hungry. My stomach growls loudly at the thought of food. I wonder how many days it has been since I ate.

I close my eyes and think about food. I envision my arms holding my mates close. I imagine taking a shower because I know I stink. I am grateful for their kindness and want to tell them.

It doesn’t hurt at all changing back. Sparks spread over me, and then I am on my hands and knees, naked. Kerian slides a shirt over my head quickly.

“Thank you,” I say to them all. I hurriedly get to my feet. “I think I need to puke now.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

River

Ava kicked me out of the bathroom. After I was done holding her hair while she puked, she wanted to take a shower. I was a gentleman and offered to wash her back, which she declined. So I was sitting on Kerian’s bed, pouting. Kerian’s words, not mine.

The last three days have been hell. I knew the process would take time, but hearing about it and going through it was different. Watching Ava going through it was torturous. She would stir enough to get some fluids inside her and run a damp cloth over her, but she was not fully awake. She talked a lot about someone named Cinnamon and us.

I panicked early this morning and called in reinforcements. We are lucky to have such friends that would come before the sun was even up. They did their best to reassure us, or me, really. Kerian has been a rock through the whole thing. He didn’t let me see the worry that I’m sure he had. He made sure I was fed and helped keep me sane.

All kinds of scenarios ran through my mind the days before she woke. It didn’t help that my crazy wolf was pounding on my skull, wanting out to lay by our mate. I feared he would attack her once she shifted since his need was so great. Luckily he behaved, grateful to be with her and meet her wolf.

Now, all the feelings, fear, joy, and relief is catching up with me. Kerian is in the kitchen saying goodbye to everyone. They know we need to be with our mate. We will all be able to run together soon. We usually would run with just our pack members, but our friends have been a big part of our lives.

The pack is eager to meet Ava. They have been stopping by, wishing us luck, and getting updates. Their acceptance and care have humbled Kerian. They have seen the change in him and are putting their faith in him again. He would deny that their exclusion recently hurt as much as it did.

The bathroom door opens, and I leap to my feet. Ava is rosy-cheeked, dressed in her cute pajama pants and Kerian’s shirt. I stop myself from rushing at her.

“I’m ready for food,” she says.

“Me too,” I say with a grin.

“Aren’t you always?” she teases.

“Yep,” I reply. I put my hand on her back and guide her to the kitchen, pulling out a chair for her.

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