He shook his head. “No. Because I will teachyouhow to defend yourself. As much as I never want you out of my sight, that would suffocate you, and you’d grow to resent me.”
Her eyes brightened at his declaration. “Does it seriously take centuries for a guy to figure that out?”
“I have no idea, nor do I care,” he said bluntly. “As long as none attempt to court you, they can go on being clueless about their females.”
“There’s the Grumpy-pants Gage we all know and love,” Katy teased.
He clenched his jaw tightly and then released it. “I don’t like you talking about other males.” Jealousy was a new emotion to him, and Gage had a feeling it was going to take a ton of self-discipline to keep from maiming human males who didn’t respect the clues that made it clear his female was already claimed. His kind would smell him on Katy and backtrack quickly. But human males didn’t have those senses. Their symbol was the wedding band. He made a mental note to find a jewelry store as soon as Azure was dead. He wanted Katy marked in every way that it took for every kind of male to stay away.
A warm hand on his face pulled him from the thoughts where he’d gotten lost. Katy stood before him, rubbing her thumbacross his cheek. “You don’t have to be jealous, Gage.” Her lips turned up in a tender smile. “I’m yours. And you’re mine.” Her words rang with such possessiveness that his wolf wanted to howl as if they’d obtained some sort of victory.
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. When had he become such a hugger? Katy wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his shoulder. Okay, so since meeting his mate, she’d brought out the inner hugger in him.Only her.His wolf rumbled in his mind.Yes.Gage agreed with his beast. Katy’s warmth seeped into him like the warmth of the sun chasing away the coldness caused by the jealousy.
She released him and took a step back. He dropped his arms from her, though it was the last thing he wanted to do. “I’ve got to get packed if we ever plan to find Zeena.”
He knew she was right. All other things would have to wait. “You’re going to want to put your stuff in a backpack so you can easily carry it in your mouth.”
Katy paused mid-step and slowly turned to look at him. “In my mouth?” she asked slowly. “Why in the world am I going to carry a freaking backpack in my mouth?”
“Because we need to lie low and not draw attention to ourselves. That means traveling in our beast forms, sticking to the countryside out of the main avenues of travel. I don’t know which kingdoms are in league with Azure. So I don’t want anyone, not even your friends, knowing what we’re doing.”
“Beast. Form.” Katy’s words were stilted as she stared at him.
He nodded.
She blinked several times. “I’m”—Katy pointed at herself—“going to turn into a wolf? Like you?”
Another nod as his lips turned up in a sly smile. “Word to the wise. Try not to run from me. It will only make me want to chase you.”
Chapter Nine
Teach Me To Wolf-Out.
“Did you ever wake up and think to yourself, ‘Today I’m going to turn into a big, hairy beast and hunt down a chick who turns into a huge, slimy snake?’ No? Well, why the hell not? Apparently, it’s totally a thing.” ~ Katy
Katy took a steadying breath and met Gage’s intense emerald stare. “Okay, I’m ready. Teach me how to wolf-out.”
They stood beneath a canopy of trees, sheltered from view. Gage had insisted she would shift easier her first time in nature, without walls or ceilings confining her.
His hands came to rest on her shoulders, the touch oddly grounding despite her racing heart. “You have the instinct within you already. The Dire Wolf’s spirit recognizes itself. Trust your senses.”
Easier said than done, but Katy nodded. Gage believed she could do this. She just had to silence her doubts and embrace her inner beast. Closing her eyes, Katy tried to picture her soul’s wilder side. The part of her that howled in defiance whenever darkness pressed too near. Her fierce devotion that roared to life when others she cared for were threatened. That soul-deep wildness was her birthright as Gage’s mate. She had to claim it fully.
“Let your instincts take over,” Gage guided quietly. “The Wolf knows what to do. Simply surrender to its instincts.”
Closing her eyes, Katy reached inward for her wolf spirit. She gasped as her nails lengthened painfully, claws erupting from each fingertip. It felt like her bones were breaking and reforming beneath her skin, which rippled as fur spread rapidly across her body.
“You can do this.” Gage’s gravelly voice was an anchor in the chaos. “Become what you were always meant to be, Beloved.”
Her spine bowed forward, and Katy cried out as her legs reshaped into powerful haunches. She could feel her skull changing, elongating into a lupine muzzle lined with sharp teeth. Her ears shifted higher on her head as her senses exploded with sudden lupine acuity. Katy’s palms hit the ground, her fingers now claws digging into the earth as the change overtook her. She panted, sides heaving from the effort, her limbs trembling. The scent of pine and loam filled her sensitive nose.
There was an ache deep in the marrow of her bones, as beast and woman found harmony in this new shape. Then it settled, the pain fading away. Katy took an experimental breath through her elongated snout, feeling power coiled tightly in the lithe wolf’s body.
She could hear prey scurrying in the underbrush. She could smell the mineral tang of a nearby stream mingled with wolf musk. Gage’s hands stroked through her thick pelt and Katyshuddered, fur rippling from head to tail. His touch kept her steady while her mind adjusted. She gave an experimental chuff, taking a few awkward steps on four legs. It was disorienting seeing the world from this lower vantage point and feeling such intense strength in the long body built for running down prey. But exhilaration also flooded her veins.
She was a wolf—wild, dangerous, and free. Lifting her muzzle, Katy let out a delighted howl. The call echoed through the forest, announcing the awakened Dire spirit within. Gage’s answering rumbling growl vibrated through her, primal and possessive. Katy turned to nip his shoulder playfully, delighting in this powerful new form, and stumbled forward.
“Easy, Little Wolf.” His proud smile held an Alpha’s satisfaction at her success. “Let your mind catch up to your form.”
