“You can do that forever,” Killian whimpered. Several shivers raced down his body; it felt like heaven.
“Is that all it’ll take for my courtship to work?”
“You should do more!” But Killian also knew he was putty in Crush’s hands, as long as Crush didn’t stop touching his ears.
Apparently, Crush knew that too. He flashed another quick smile. “Would you like to meet my wolf in this shape?”
What would it feel like, seeing Crush’s most primal form while Killian was so small and helpless?
“Yes,” Killian said.
Crush dropped his towel. The next moment, he shifted into a large gray wolf towering over Killian—a different kind of massive compared to his human shape. Just with a lot more fur and sharp teeth.
All of Killian’s instincts screamed at him to flee.
He looked up at the huge wolf, tremors racing through his body.
“Are you scared? Your pulse shot up,” Crush murmured, padding closer. He circled Killian three times. Then he dipped his sharp-toothed snout toward Killian’s face—
—and licked his ears.
Killian relaxed by a fraction. “Do your instincts tell you to eat me?”
“Hmm. They’re telling me to hunt. Not eat. Catch you between my paws and make you mine.” Crush stood over Killian, each paw so huge compared to Killian’s own. He licked Killian’s ears again, leaving the scent of wolf, of predator, on Killian’s fur. “They’re saying to do this.”
He opened his jaws wide, lowering them around Killian’s scruff.
And he bathed Killian with his huge flat tongue, covering him in wolf spit.
“Hey!” Killian squealed.
Crush laughed and pulled away, circling Killian again. Then he lay down with his body wrapped tightly around Killian, his furry tail wagging. “You fit right in the hollow of my body,” Crush said, pleased.
He felt so warm, so big and cozy, that Killian’s anxiety drained out. Killian badly wished they were in his nest right now. “I want to lie in bed and not move for a long time.”
“No kidding, after the day we’ve had. I feel the same. Soon. Once we reach my pack, we’ll be safe. We can lie down there.” Crush nuzzled Killian’s side, licking him until the rest of him relaxed.
Killian took a moment to evaluate his situation.
He was snuggled up with a wolf. He was warm and cozy. And Crush had gone back to licking his ears.
It wasamazing.
“This is better than curling up with other rabbits,” Killian realized. “They don’t lick my ears.”
Crush’s grin was decidedly wolfish. “Want to ride on my lap while we drive? I can rub your ears when I’m not using the gear shift.”
“Yes please! But I’ll need to help load the car, don’t I? I don’t know what we should bring—”
“Relax, sweetheart. I’ve got this. I’ll bring our nest along. And... I think Hansel brought some things we can use for entertainment.”
“Like what? Books?” Killian asked.
Hansel snickered. “Oh, just some toys. I had some helpful suggestions. I’m sure you’ll love to play with them together.”
Why did he sound especially gleeful?
And why did Killian’s senses prickle forebodingly?
