Wrapping her up in a towel I carry her to her room, laying her on the bed. I strip my wet clothes down to my boxers and crawl in bed with her. Before wrapping her in my arms I shoot a text to Ridge and Lux, making them aware of the situation, only giving the bare minimum right now. Laying my phone on the nightstand I roll over and pull her into my arms.
Tomorrow I’ll find that dirty son of a bitch and make him pay for what he’s done. A nice, slow, painful death. But tonight, tonight I’ll take care of Sharayah, because she’ll need me when she awakens. Her life as she knows it is about to change.
31
Sharayah
You have to open your eyes. Our mate is waiting.
Startled, I shoot up out of bed. “What? Who said that?”
“Who said what, Ray? I didn’t hear anything.” I hear a man say coming down the hall.
Suddenly I’m hit with the smell of teakwood and fresh laundry. I look around to find the source of the smell.
Recognizing the voice in the hall, I cry out, “Jude? Jude what happened? Is there another woman here with you?” I’m so confused.
He walks into my room, stating, “Ray, hun, you’re gonna wanna sit down for what I need to tell you.”
Falling back onto my bed, I quickly pull the covers over me, realizing I’m only wearing my bra and panties. “Holy fuck, what happened last night? Last thing I remember is Oscar being here and he stabbed me, a lot.” Looking down I realize I have no stab wounds.
Because I healed us.
Jumping at the sound of the voice again, I start to panic. “Jude, that voice, whose voice is that?”
It’s mine. Only you and our mate’s panther can hear me. His human can’t hear me. I’m your panther.
My panther?
Yes.
Looking over at Jude, I see him smile. “You’re not crazy, you’re hearing your panther’s voice. Ray, do you remember calling me last night?”
Thinking back to what happened, I whisper, “Yeah, I got home from work and Oscar was here. I remember dialing your number, not sure if you’d answer. You told me to call if I needed you, I remember being scared because he was actually in my apartment this time.”
His eyes change to a deep ocean blue. “What do you mean he was in your apartment? Was the door jimmied open?”
“No, I came in and laid my stuff on the hall table, like I always do. I walked into the living room and he was sitting on the couch,” I recall.
“What the fuck?” Jude snaps.
“I asked him how he got in and he just had this shit eating grin on his face as he said don’t you worry about that,” I state before continuing, “that’s when I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed you. But he knocked my phone from my hand, so I didn’t even know that you answered. Then he started talking crazy and said if he couldn’t have me that no one can. Said no one would want me when he was done with me. Then that's when he stabbed me and just kept stabbing me.”
“Yeah, I heard all of it. I had the prospect track your location so I could find you. I saw that weasel when I got here but you were my top priority, so I didn’t go after him. But believe me when I say, he’ll pay. I protect what’s mine, and Ray, you’re my mine. I know this is a lot, but I want you to know all of it. I’m a shifter. And we have fated mates. I never gave thought to finding mine but I knew before I even I met you, you’re my mate. I could smell you before you even walked into the club Friday. My panther chose you the moment he smelled your scent.”
“My scent? Panther? Mates? Wow, yeah that’s definitely a lot to take in. Can I see your panther?”
“Are you sure? I don’t wanna overwhelm you.”
“Yes I’m sure and no, it won’t overwhelm me. I want to know everything. Will he hurt me?”
“No, never.” He scoots closer to me, saying, “He’ll never hurt you, only protect you. We’ll always protect you.”
“Somehow, I know that, because you saved my life. I remember you telling me you were a shifter. I also remember you telling me that if you changed me it would save me. So thank you for that.”
“Man, you’re taking this a whole lot better than I thought you would.” He chuckles.
“I’m pretty open minded. I know there’s more to life than black and white.”
“Are you ready to meet my panther?”
“Yes please. It’ll help me better understand.”
“Okay, well first I have to take off my clothes, or else I’ll shred them during my shift. So don’t freak out.”
With that, he stands up and backs away from the bed. He shoves down his boxers, and all I can see is his gorgeous, rock hard cock.
“Sorry about that, it happens anytime I’m near you or smell your scent. It’s intoxicating. And now you want to meet my panther, fuck it’s so sexy.”
With that he hunches over and I can hear bones cracking as I watch him shift into the giant oversized, sleek, jet black panther that stands before me. I slowly get up, reaching out to touch him. He bows his head as though giving me the okay to touch him.
“Hello, handsome, thank you for saving my life.”
Go ahead, touch him.
And touch him I do. I brush my hand down his back before coming back to rub his ears. He's so soft. He purrs as I continue to pet and caress his fur.
Isn’t he beautiful? That’s our mate.
Yes, he is.
“You’re so soft and absolutely beautiful. But can I have Jude back? I have questions.”
He licks his lips before I hear the bones cracking again and watch him shift back
