“That works.”
“Good. Then close your eyes again.”
Once he did, she followed suit.
“Now picture yourself in the forest,” she instructed. “Feel the slight breeze on your skin, hear it rustling the leaves in the trees as you walk barefoot along a smooth dirt path, the soft earth warm between your toes.”
“Why am I barefoot?” he asked. “Did I lose my shoes?”
She took a deep breath, biting down on the snarl that threatened to slip out. “You’re walking barefoot because you want to. You’re comfortable and relaxed, remember?”
“Comfortable, relaxed, and barefoot. Got it.”
“Now, I want you to feel the ground under your feet and the breeze on your skin,” she said. “Take deep breaths, inhaling the scent of the clean mountain air, the various trees, and the rich brown soil.”
She continued to set the scene for him, listening as his heart rate and his breathing slowed. On the couch, his knee pressed against hers, and she took a quick peek to see that he looked completely relaxed.
“The feel of the ground beneath your feet and the breeze on your face is so exhilarating you can’t resist the temptation to let go and be free,” she said. “Now, take a deep breath and start running. Your toes are digging into the soft ground, propelling you forward faster than the wind. It feels so incredible you can’t help but laugh.”
Rachel opened her eyes to see Knox grinning, the muscles in his arms and legs tensing and relaxing. Like he was actually running.
“Push yourself to run faster,” she urged. “Feel every muscle in your body straining and reaching for more. The wind is whipping your face and running its fingers through your hair.”
The muscles of his forearms were visibly twisting as his body started to partially shift. Now came the crucial moment where she was either going to get him to let loose a little, or he’d completely rebel against the animal inside him.
“You know you can run faster if you drop down on all fours so you do it without thinking, your fingers digging into the dirt and leaves, flinging you forward in leaps and bounds.”
She held her breath, waiting for him to resist, but instead, the muscles of his forearms continued to twist and shift even as his claws extended.
“Feel the tingling in your fingertips as your claws tear into the dirt,” she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning in a little closer to him. “Push harder, dig them into the ground. Just let go and let it happen.”
His heart beat faster, and she leaned in so close she could feel his breath blowing gently across her face. She gently slipped her hand out of his and carefully rested it on his jean-clad thigh. The muscles quivered under her touch. The exercise was working. His inner wolf was coming out.
Rachel was so elated her plan was actually working—because seriously, she’d been more than ready for failure the first time out of the gate—she didn’t realize that her breathing and heartbeat had perfectly synced up with his until his scent registered, even more powerful than before, almost overwhelming her with its heat and wild energy.
She inhaled deeply, trying to draw in even more of the enticing scent. While it was the same scent she’d grown used to, at the same time, there was an edge and a rawness to it that hadn’t been there before. It was his inner wolf in all its glory. And one whiff was enough to make her whole body tingle.
Rachel opened her eyes to see that Knox’s claws were fully extended now and his upper fangs were long enough to protrude over his lower lip. He looked dangerous and unbelievably hot.
“Knox, I want you to come back now,” she said softly. “Slow down and leave the forest behind. All you have to do is follow my voice back here.”
It took a few moments, and when he finally opened his eyes, Rachel was stunned speechless. They were glowing the brightest yellow gold she’d ever seen. Those amazing eyes widened when he lifted his hand and saw the extended claws, but then he quickly seemed to lose interest in his claws as his gaze met hers again. His nose lifted slightly as he tested the air, then his eyes darkened, smoldering and intense, and her heart beat faster at the heat in their depths.
Rachel didn’t even realize what she was doing until she felt her claws digging into solid muscle. Startled, she glanced down and realized her own claws were out, kneading his legs like a cat with a fuzzy blanket. She ran her tongue over her teeth to find that her fangs were extended, too. When had she shifted?
She lifted her gaze to look Knox deep in the eyes and stopped thinking about her fangs and claws and instead focused on the lips mere inches from hers. He was going to kiss her. There was a small part of her mind telling her that she shouldn’t let him. He was a hunter, one of the bad guys.
But damn, he smelled so delicious. Something told her that he’d taste even better.
Knowing it was probably the dumbest thing she’d ever do, she leaned in, closing her eyes as their lips touched.
Rachel wasn’t sure if she pulled back or if it was Knox. Regardless, one moment they were about to lock lips, and the next they were sitting at either end of the couch looking in any direction but at each other and failing miserably.
“So, um…wow…you got my claws to come out,” Knox said, his voice almost casual as he stared at the claws extending from the tips of his fingers. “That’s pretty amazing.”
She shook her head, knowing she was probably blushing like crazy right then. “It wasn’t me. It was all you. I simply talked you into a place where you let your inner wolf out. In time, your claws and fangs will extend and retract without having to go to that place in your head.”
He seemed to consider that for a moment before nodding. “If I kept going, could I turn completely into a wolf? You know, like with four feet and fur?”
