Thick, pale gray fur and yellow fangs had the hair raising up on my arms. It was something out of a nightmare with disturbingly long, muscled legs that were outstretched.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
My power burst to life, an immediate glow spiraling up my body. I stumbled back a step, scaring myself at how reactive it was. Charged, ready, beyond on edge.
I glowed like a beacon, casting light on the forest surrounding me. I studied the wolf—the coloring was similar, but it wasn’t the Onchu beast. This was different. An Ossory.
Okay, breathe.An Ossory. Just one of the Ossory on patrol.
My magic dimmed.
It took a step forward, crossing onto the path, eyes fixed on me.
Would the man inside have any control? Or was it all animal impulses? I scolded myself for not learning more about them. I really should’ve.
I inhaled, shallow but quick. Slowly, I took a step back. Then another.
The Ossory matched my step, closing the distance, before pausing. It shook its head slowly. Some cryptic doggy message I didn’t understand.
“N-n-nice puppy,” I whispered, voice high and hysterical. “Good boy. Go home now.” A tremor clung to the last of my words.
The large wolf huffed. Its front paws lifted in a playful gesture, landing with a thud.
I swear to god, if this thing wanted to play fetch . . .
In a blink, it darted back to the woods, sucked up by the inky dark.
Phew.The tension in my chest released.
I hesitantly walked closer, curiosity tugging at me, needing to see where it went. But really, I just wanted to know it wasn’t coming back.
My gaze hit the edge of the forest and—nothing. Good.
Until a tall figure instantly emerged. Coming into view was ruffled hair, soft eyes, and a smile that could melt an iceberg.
“Finley,” I blurted, utterly confused for a millisecond. The relief that followed was a muscle relaxer to my senses.
The wolf, an Ossory wolf, was an adorable one at that.
“Hi Carwynn,” Finley said, bordering on bashful. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare ya. Was out on a run and caught your scent.” He awkwardly dragged a hand through his hair and chuckled, a slight blush smattered his cheeks. “Couldn’t help following it. Wanted to make sure ya were all right.”
My mouth twitched. A specific memory of him intimately between my thighs had me stifling a smirk. God, I really hope that wasn’t tied to him knowing myscent.
His mouth moved. Words strung together—something about him thinking or worrying about me. But I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t break my eyes away from his bare chest or the muscular arm that flexed every time he tousled his hair, making him look?—
For fuck sake, get your shit together, Carwynn!
“Oh,” I blathered. I felt like an idiot. Warmth coiled deep in my core where it had no business being at this moment. “Um, Fin? Where’s your shirt?” I’d never noticed the curve of his shoulders before.
Finley smiled, following my gaze. He trailed one large hand up and down his obnoxiously-chiseled abs.
He needed to stop doing that. Immediately.
“Clothes tend to get misplaced when we shift,” Finley said with a casual shrug. “But at least I found my trousers.”
I cleared my throat.
“Well, thank heavens for that.” Was all I could rasp out.
