almost impossible to explain to anyone else what the sensation felt like. It wasn’t as though he was changing into something else, but actually becoming more himself. It was like exposing another aspect of his true self.
It was natural and right.
The wolf burst out from inside him, the change almost instantaneous this time. He leapt forward, landing on four paws instead of on hands and feet. His jaw cracked and elongated, his teeth sharpened and fur pushed out from under his skin to cover him.
He threw back his head once again and howled for the sheer joy of being able to do so. The swamp went silent around him as the other animals recognized the predator in their midst. He padded forward, stopping at the edge of the line of salt he’d spread around the house. He had no idea if it would offer any protection to them. He hoped so, but he wasn’t going to depend upon it.
His ears twitched and he easily catalogued the sounds in the immediate area. His sensitive nose trapped all the scents of the area, letting him know what kind of vegetation and animals surrounded them. Except for the regular creatures of the area, they were alone.
Two minutes. He would take two minutes to allow himself to run. Sabrina would be safe for that long and he would remain close by. After more than five thousand years of captivity, surely he deserved such a small thing.
Careful not to smudge the line of salt, he stepped over it. He took one last glance over his shoulder at the house. All was quiet and he could hear Sabrina moving around inside.
He exploded, going from a complete stop to a full-out run. The ground was soft beneath the wide pads of his feet, the wind ruffled his fur and the swamp embraced him. His muscles fluid and strong, his body the perfect running machine, he raced through the trees. Freedom. It was such a sweet thing. He gave a yip of pleasure as the muscles in his hind quarters bunched before he launched himself over a fallen log. Arand flew through the air and landed without a sound on the other side.
Sabrina stood at the window and watched spellbound as Arand went from clothed to naked in a heartbeat. The wolf tattoo on his back seemed to be staring at her and she took a step back, hiding behind the curtain, not wanting to be caught watching him.
Arand was the most elemental man she’d ever known. Maybe it was the animal that was such a fundamental part of him, but he was primal and sure of himself. It was sexy as hell.
Of course, having a body as hot as his didn’t hurt either. The man was built like a god, with long, thick legs, a trim waist, a sculpted back and torso, buns of steel, broad shoulders and bulging biceps. Not to mention his face. It wasn’t a handsome face as much as it was compelling and totally masculine. His black and gray shaggy hair fell around his shoulders and she wished he’d turn around so she could see him.
She gasped when he suddenly launched himself forward. One second he was a man, the next a gigantic wolf. The change was so fast it was a blur, not like the first time she’d seen him shift. She rested her fingers on the pane of glass separating her from the outside. The glass was cool against her skin. How she wished she could touch his fur, to feel the muscles rippling beneath it.
He was her guardian spirit come to life, yet he was not for her. He belonged to a goddess—the Lady of the Beasts—and would have to return to her service. It wasn’t like he could up and quit, and she didn’t think he would anyway. He wasn’t that kind of man.
Arand took his responsibilities seriously and right now, she was a big one.
He took off like a rocket being launched, disappearing into the thick brush. Sabrina hurried to the front door and yanked it open. Did he sense something out there? Was there a threat or was he leaving her?
That was her biggest fear. She knew it was totally unrealistic. Knew Arand couldn’t stay with her indefinitely. They’d only known one another for a matter of few hours. Once his debt to her was paid by keeping her alive until midnight, there would be no reason for him to stay. He’d return to his goddess and friends and live forever while her body aged and eventually died in a few decades.
Now that was depressing. She hoped at least one of those muffins Tilly had packed for them was chocolate. She could use some chocolate right about now.
She stepped out onto the porch and listened to the quiet. It was unnaturally silent, as though the entire swamp was holding its breath. Were all the animals in as much awe of Arand as she was? Of course they were. They’d sense him and realize he was special, powerful, something above and beyond normal.
The wind itself seemed to pause before resuming its path. A lock of her hair had escaped her braid and blew over her eyes. She hooked it behind her ear and kept her eyes on the spot where Arand had disappeared.
She’d always felt at home in the swamp and especially here at her granny’s house, but for the first time in her life, she was lonely. Arand had filled an empty space within her she hadn’t even known existed. She knew deep in her heart she’d feel his loss for years to come. That’s even assuming she survived the rest of the day.
And where was Hades? The longer time went without anything happening, the more nervous she became. Maybe she should call Jessica and Tilly. Maybe they’d learned something that could help her stay alive. There was no telling when or if Arand was coming back.
Sabrina straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. She could do this. All she had to do was stay alive until midnight and she was off the hook. Whatever happened after that was between the gods, goddesses and immortal warriors. She’d go back to her friends, her painting and tarot reading and resume her life. These twenty-four hours would be nothing more than a bump in the road.
There was no sound, but Sabrina suddenly knew she was no longer alone. The short hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she slowly turned. She should have found something to use as a weapon. Granny kept an old shotgun in her bedroom closet to scare off alligators that got too close. She should have dug that out to have on hand.
The enormous black and gray wolf stood about ten feet away, his black eyes watching her.
“So you came back.” Her stomach settled and she’d never admit aloud that she was so damn glad to see him.
The wolf growled in displeasure, but she was past being intimidated.
“What did you expect me to think? You left without a word. Thought I was on my own.”
The pleasure that his short run through the woods had given him was lost. How could she think he would leave her? Because he had. Essentially, he’d left her without a word. What was she supposed to think? It wasn’t as if she knew him that well.
Still, Arand felt insulted. He would never leave her on her own, unprotected to face Hades’ wrath.
He gave thanks to his wolf and embraced the human side of himself once again. His limbs changed, bones cracking and reforming. His jaw broke and shortened. Fur disappeared and was replaced by smooth, tanned skin. Arand pushed himself upright and strode toward Sabrina.
Something of what he was feeling must have shown in his expression because she backed away until her spine hit the door. He didn’t stop until he was in front of her, his naked body crowding hers.
She slapped her hands on his chest. “What are you doing?”
What was he doing? He should clothe himself and start developing a defense strategy. That would be the wise thing, the prudent thing to do.
But he wasn’t feeling particularly wise or prudent. All he could think about was Sabrina’s fear that he’d leave her. Didn’t she understand she belonged to him? He would never leave her.
Both man and animal sides of him were in agreement—he needed to claim her, to mark her with his body so all would know she was his. He might have been caged for five thousand years, but he’d been alive since the dawn of mankind. For the first time in his life, he wanted a female to have expectations of him, to have a claim to his body and his soul.
That’s how he knew what he felt for Sabrina was special. In all the long centuries he’d been alive, he’d never once deviated from his path as warrior of the Lady. But now, now he wanted Sabrina as his own. Surely, if they survived the coming hours, the Lady would grant him the time to spend with Sabrina.
The thought of her dying and leaving him alone in the world pierced his heart. He threw back his head and howled his anger and sorrow. Only moments before, she’d been pushing him away. Now she slid her hands to his shoulders and locked them around his neck.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Her genuine concern humbled him. He should leave her alone. It wasn’t fair to
