Damn. Eli never viewed himself as desirable or sexy before. Liam looked at Eli like he was the hottest man in the entire universe.
“We better get going, mister.” He reminded Liam.
Liam took off his clothes. Eli’s mouth watered at the sight of Liam’s muscular chest, his six-pack abs, his powerful legs, and the impressive package between Liam’s legs.
Hunger, untamed, and wild, coursed through Eli’s entire body. He’d go insane if Liam didn’t touch him soon.
“Let’s go,” Liam said, voice harsh.
Eli shifted. The process was excruciatingly slow and painful. Fur covered him from head to foot. Paws replaced human limbs. A tail emerged.
Alphas could finish changing forms in minutes but it took so much longer for him. Liam’s grizzly was enormous. Liam was probably twice the size of a normal bear. Underneath Liam’s dark brown fur, he was padded with muscle.
Once Eli was all four paws, they resumed their run. The forest ground was slippery while Eli walked on two feet but in this form, he felt more sure of himself. More powerful.
Liam ran next to him, a comforting and protective presence. It felt surreal, to be running in his animal form with Liam, the werebear Eli was falling head over heels for.
Out here, he lived each day like his last. He loved every moment he spent with Liam. He hadn’t lied about the lodge either. It had grown on him, just like Liam’s brothers.
Lucas teased him constantly and they were getting along great. He even tried talking to Logan on more than one occasion. Sooner or later, Logan was going to give in and admit Eli wasn’t as bad as he initially thought after all.
They arrived at the lodge, completely soaked. Lucas, who was replacing a light bulb by the fireplace, spotted them. Lucas wagged a finger at them.
“Don’t get the floors all wet,” Lucas said.
Eli turned back to human form, so did Liam. Laughter spilled out of him and it started rubbing off Liam. He didn’t know why he felt so stupidly happy.
“What’s so funny?” Lucas demanded.
Lucas climbed down the ladder and walked up to them. The other werebear glared at Liam, then at him.
“I don’t know,” Liam admitted. “I just went along.”
“Sorry,” he blurted. “It's just, I’ve never done like that before. Sprinting through the woods in animal form is amazing.”
“You’ve never done that before?” Liam asked with a raise of his eyebrows.
He shook his head. “The closest I've been to nature is going to the park. The only time Steve lets me out is when I have to run errands for the house.” Eli explained.
Talking about his old life, dampened the mood. He cleared his throat, realizing both Liam and Lucas were staring intently at him.
“You were a prisoner,” Liam said.
“It felt that way, although no one put bars on my window. No one chained me up.”
Lucas looked at his brother. “Tell you what, bro. If Eli’s asshole ex or any members of his stupid family turn up, I also want to give them a taste of my claws and fangs.”
Eli was slightly taken aback. Two grizzly Alphas coming to his defense? Eli was one lucky Omega wolf.
“Why would you do that?” Eli asked.
“Because family’s supposed to stick together and you’ve become part of ours,” Lucas said.
Lucas looked embarrassed when Eli let out a sniffle. No one ever fought for him before. Even his own family never took his side when Steve complained to them. Liam placed his big hands on his shoulders and guided him up the stairs.
“Let’s warm you up before you catch a cold,” Liam told him.
“Stay right there,” Liam ordered as soon as they entered Eli’s room.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Eli murmured.
Eli became intently aware they were both still wet and naked. Shifters were usually comfortable around nudity but it wasn’t the same for Eli.
His parents kept him locked up in his room most of the time. His own brothers pretended he didn’t exist. Eli never had the chance to socialize or create meaningful bonds with other shifters. At times, he envied how close Liam was to his brothers. Lucas told me I was part of the family, Eli thought with glee.
Liam returned with a thick towel. Eli stood still and let Liam dry off his hair and pat his body down. He moved his gaze from Liam’s handsome face to the erection Liam was sporting for him.
Eli didn’t know what made him reach out to touch Liam’s cheek. The werebear let the towel drop on the floor. Liam placed his hand over Eli’s. His breath hitched. Liam got the hint.
The werebear closed his hand over the back of Eli’s neck and tugged him close for a searing kiss. Eli didn’t want Liam to stop. Their chests and groins kissed. Liam’s big and solid body felt good against his slender one. A perfect fit.
Eli parted his mouth, only for Liam to deepen the kiss. The werebear ran his callused hands down the length of Eli’s body, his touches proprietary.
“Own me.” Eli didn’t realize he uttered those words out loud until Liam released his mouth.
Seeing Liam’s gold eyes, his breath caught.
“Mine.” Liam practically growled out that word.
Eli’s heart fluttered. Three days had been long enough to make up his mind. Steve’s mate mark was hardly noticeable. The moment he left Steve’s house, the bonds between them had snapped like thin strings.
What would it feel like, to be mated to Liam? Would their bond pulse bright and strong?
Eli was getting way ahead of himself but he couldn’t help it. Liam placed a hand on his chest and guided him towards the bed. One push and Eli landed on the edge. He scooted upwards. Eli flashed Liam the sexiest smile he could muster.
He crooked a finger towards his werebear, only to hear a rumble tear from Liam’s chest. Liam had been holding back, giving him space.
Well, Eli had decided. He was tired of waiting. His
