through her body.
“Wake up, beautiful,” Ryon sang. “Rise and shine.”
“Ugh.”
“Not a morning person?”
Giving up, she rolled over and peered up at his smug face. “Used to moving when I’m good and ready.”
“Too bad. We have to eat breakfast. Then we’re going for a run.” He kissed her nose. “Unless you’re backing out?”
“Are you kidding? I’m not a coward, my mate. I don’t wimp out once I’ve made up my mind about something.”
“Good for you,” he said in approval. “Hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“I’ve got a few MREs in the kitchen . . .” He tossed her a grin as he rose from the bed. Naked.
“Ha, you’re a funny guy.” She eyed his tight ass, disappointed when he pulled on a loose pair of shorts.
“Just teasing. I can cook, as you know.”
“That you can, and you do a fine job. What am I getting?”
“Hmm. Omelets and toast?”
Her mouth watered. “That sounds great.”
Forcing herself from his cozy, king-sized bed, she put on her jeans and shirt from the night before and padded after him into the kitchen. She observed her mate appreciatively as he went about getting out the stuff for their breakfast, shirtless and more scrumptious than any food.
“You like ham and cheese?” Opening a package of meat, he sniffed. “It’s still good.”
“Sure. I like just about anything that goes in an omelet.”
“Then you’re in luck, because I make the best ones in the whole compound.”
He wasn’t joking. Gesturing for her to sit on a stool at the bar, he got out bell peppers, onions, salsa, and mushrooms to go with the ham and cheese. Next, he poured two glasses of orange juice—which he then topped off with champagne.
“Mimosas?” she asked in delight. “You’re going to spoil me rotten.”
“That’s the whole point. You deserve to be spoiled.”
As she sipped her mimosa, he chopped the veggies and dumped them into a pan with melted butter. The delicious aroma filled the small kitchen and made her stomach rumble. He stirred them, refilled her drink, and then began beating the eggs, adding a bit of milk.
“To make them fluffy,” he explained.
Yes, indeed. She could get used to having Ryon spoil her. In every way.
In two larger pans, he poured the eggs so he could make them both at the same time. Soon the sauteed veggies were added, then the cheese and ham. Slicing four thick pieces of sourdough bread, he shoved them in the toaster.
In minutes, he was ushering her into a breakfast nook seat at the table by the patio door, where he served their plates with finesse.
“My lady, your breakfast.”
“Oh my God, this smells awesome.”
“Tastes even better.”
At his pointed look, she picked up her fork and took a bite. “This is wonderful. You’re going to do all the cooking in this relationship, right?” Instantly, she realized what she’d said, as well as the significance—she was coming to accept their mating. What’s more, she was truly enjoying her mate.
So did he, and he gave her a soft smile as he sat. “You bet. As long as you’re mine, I’ll cook whatever you want. Whenever you want.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“I hope you do.”
When they were finished eating, she helped him clear the table and wash the dishes. Finally done, he turned to her and wiped his hands on a towel.
“Since we’re going to shift and go play, I suggest we shower later.”
“Sounds good.” Secretly she was dreading the actual shifting process, and he must’ve seen a hint of her sudden anxiety.
“Hey, I told you it would be okay, and I meant it,” he said, taking her hands. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“I know. But what if I’m different? What if it hurts?”
“It won’t. Trust me.”
In the end, she did. As she followed him outside onto his patio, she couldn’t help that her knees shook. “What if someone sees me take off my clothes?”
“My patio is fenced, baby. The gate is open and we’ll be able to come in and out without anyone seeing us naked. And if they did, nobody would think a thing of it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Nakedness isn’t a big deal here among the Pack and the mates. As the months and years go by, it will bother you less and less to strip and shift, until you’re completely comfortable. Think of the Pack as your family.”
“I wouldn’t strip in front of my dad,” she said, deadpan. “And he’s family.”
He laughed, amusement lighting his blue eyes. “All I can say is that it’s different here. You’ll understand it eventually.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “What do I do now?”
“Strip. Then, like before, concentrate on your wolf. Feel her, and let her take over.”
“I won’t lose who I am, right? I mean, I’ll still be me?”
“Exactly. You’re you, the same intelligent being, even in that form. Your senses will be sharper, much more so than a real wolf’s, and you’ll feel her predatory instincts come to the fore, but you’ll be able to control them. Your decisions will be conscious ones.”
That was a relief to hear, especially since this would be only her second time in wolf form. Before, she’d been blindsided. Shocked, afraid, and upset. Today would be different, with Ryon by her side.
“I’m ready.” She hoped that came across as confident.
Ryon pushed down his shorts and stepped out of them. Then the change flowed over his body, and in seconds his silver wolf was standing there, waiting. His voice came through their mental link.
“Thanks,” she said, pleased by the compliment.
“Okay.”
She got rid of her clothes and laid them on a patio chair. Then she concentrated, almost laughing when she found her wolf dancing in excitement like a pup. It was strange how they were different, yet one.
When the shift happened, it was so fast she barely had time to gasp in surprise before her limbs were reshaping, her human body giving way to the she-wolf. Suddenly she was standing on all fours, tail wagging.
She wasn’t too steady on her feet last time. But now she was definitely stronger, her legs moving as they should. It was weird that she knew what to do with four feet, and that she didn’t fall.
Side by side, they walked across the lawn. At the far edge he led her into the trees via a well-worn path. For a while they simply enjoyed each other’s company as she sniffed the air, taking in the scents all around. Some
