“Well thank you, it's nice to know my family has grown. And call me Ray.” She smiles.
“Okay, Ray, also, you can start at the club tomorrow night if you’d like. No one outside the MC knows what happened here. Tomorrow’s meeting is just where Jude will introduce you as his mate to the club and you’ll meet the other members, including our Prez, Lux,” he counters.
“Ridge, man, thanks for coming by. Looks like the boys got it all cleaned up nicely too. Thank God cause getting blood out of a wooden floor is a bitch,” I chuckle.
She looks at Ridge with pain in her eyes, a look I hate to see on her face, before asking, “Is… is Brent… did Oscar kill Brent?”
“No, he’s alive. Pretty fucked up, but he’ll heal. We found him beaten and stabbed fifteen times. The club doc got him all fixed up and he’s resting. You’ll see him tomorrow too.”
“Oh thank God, I’m glad he’s alive,” she exhales.
“Why didn’t he shift?” I inquire.
“Because he said the job was yours,” Ridge replies.
“That kid’s a good brother. He’ll make a fine member; might be time we patch him in,” I comment.
Ridge gets up from the table, shaking my hand, then giving Ray a hug. “That he will. He keeps showing us how loyal he is, it won't be long now. Okay, guys, I’m gonna head out. I’ll see ya both tomorrow night. Enjoy your run.” And then he walks out, locking the door behind him.
“So, are you ready for that run?” I ask as I pull her closer to me.
“I thought you’d never ask. Will you walk me through my shift?”
“Absolutely. Let’s go.”
With that we head out into the backyard and strip down to our birthday suits. Hunching over, I feel my bones cracking and breaking, then readjusting as I shift into panther form. Stepping back, I nod my head at her.
“Okay, beautiful, your turn.”
She smiles and hunches over as I listen to the bones breaking as her scream quickly becomes a roar. Standing before me is the most beautiful and majestic panther I’ve ever laid eyes on. With her full jet-black fur and those stunning hazel eyes that seem to glow in the moonlight. And she’s all mine.
“Will it always hurt like that?”
“No, my queen. Yes, there will always be a dull pain, but it’ll get easier the more you shift.”
“I can deal with that.”
I take off in a sprint at first, but she quickly runs past me and I follow her into the woods behind the house. I’ll follow her anywhere.
40
Sharayah
Wow.
What an invigorating feeling. The initial shock starts to wear off as I run through the woods. I’ll admit at first, I was scared but watching him shift again, made it easier for me.
That was an excruciating pain for sure, but this makes it all worth it. To be out here running with my mate and embracing my new form. I come to a creek and stop.
“Tired, kitten?”
“No, baby. Just stopping to take it all in. It all seems so surreal. Just a few days ago my life felt as though it had no meaning and now, now it's this great adventure.”
“I’m glad you’ve embraced this so well. I was so afraid that it would scare you away.”
“I love you, Jude.”
“I love you, my queen.”
I take off again in a sprint, with Jude right on my tail. This is so freeing. We run for a few hours before I turn and head back toward the house.
“Let’s go in.”
“If you’re ready, I’m ready.”
“I am. Do I shift back the same way?”
“Yep! Just take deep breaths as the bones break and realign.”
Okay, I can do this. I concentrate on shifting back to my human form and like magic it begins to happen. I feel that excruciating pain of my bones breaking again and instead of screaming I take deep breaths to help me through just as he suggested. That seems to help me through the pain of shifting and before I know it, I’m standing fully naked in the backyard under the beautiful moonlight.
I watch as my mate shifts back and it's a majestic scene unfolding before me. Suddenly there he stands, gloriously before me, towering over six-foot-tall and full of muscle. Before I realize it, my feet are moving and I pounce on him.
“That was amazing. Can we do that every day?” I ask, jumping into his arms.
He chuckles, “Sure, kitten. Whenever you want. But you gotta promise you will only shift here where the humans can't see you do it.”
“I promise. Now let’s go shower.”
“Okay.”
We head in and up to the shower where he proceeds to repeat our earlier tryst. God this man is going to be the death of me. I can’t seem to get enough of him.
Once we’re done playing around, he wraps me in a towel and carries me to bed. I get all snuggled in and he curls up behind me. Falling asleep in his arms will always be my favorite thing about him. Here I feel safe and at home.
41
Jude
Sleeping with her in my arms is my new favorite activity. Looking down at this angel while she sleeps, I get a new sense of peace. My panther’s purring, all is right.
“I can feel you staring at me,” she says as she rolls toward me.
“I can’t help myself. My mate is sexy.”
“Thank you. Mine too. So, what’s on the agenda today?
“Let’s go down and make some breakfast, then we can get dressed and head over to the clubhouse.”
“Okay, French toast?”
Kissing her nose, I reply, “Sure, kitten.”
We get up and head down to cook. Once we finish breakfast, we clean up the kitchen, then get dressed and head to the clubhouse. I love to ride my bike solo, but damn if I don’t love having my mate on my back with me too.
Pulling into the clubhouse, a few of the brothers are out and they wave as I park.. We get off and
