“I do,” she promised.
“But…”
“He’s part of you, Soren.” Bestowing a firm kiss on his parted, stunned lips, she insisted, “I know you’d never hurt me. Either of you.”
“Never,” he said vehemently, voice an octave deeper even than his normal baritone.
“Then, can I?”
His throat bobbed on a swallow, and for a long moment, Maeve thought he’d deny her. She understood what she was asking, and that Soren would be right to refuse her. They hadn’t known each other long, while this was something he’d clearly struggled with his whole life. He was of a different people, a different culture—she couldn’t expect to fix everything with one request.
Still, all she could do was ask and await his answer. She was patient, hoping her determination and genuine curiosity showed in her expression. She wouldn’t be scared or disappointed. It was Soren, and even with everything he’d said, Maeve knew, deep down, down in that new place that was warm and dark and achingly fragile, that histurukwould be as good to her as he was.
He didn’t answer immediately or enthusiastically, but finally, he nodded.
Smiling brightly, she thanked him profusely.
Soren’s expression was conflicted, but he did climb to his feet. Once there, he began to strip.
Oh, now this was getting especially interesting.
Sitting up straighter, Maeve enjoyed every moment and every inch of bared skin—er, fur. She hoped to hide her nerves and put him at ease. This moment didn’t have to feel momentous—even though, for her, it was.
His body was magnificent, all male strength clad in a beautiful coat of tawny fur. His chest was wide, pectorals, arms, and thighs thick with muscle. His waist was wide, too, reminding her of a wrestler. He was nothing like the lithe, beautiful men she’d been with before. Everything about him was raw, primal, a show of animalistic strength and beauty.
His kilt was last to go, revealing his truly magnificent cock. She’d grown quite fond of it over the past few days, and she wasn’t immune to its allure, her gaze falling to admire it. Even at rest against his thigh, it was impressive, sparking lusty interest low in her belly. Maeve squeezed her thighs together, trying to ignore it for now.
When he gazed at her in concern, she nodded with encouragement.Please, please trust me.
One more swallow, and then his body began toripple.
She didn’t know how else to describe it. His muscles seemed to shift beneath his skin, rippling as they expanded.He fell forward onto his hands that quickly elongated into true paws. His mane grew longer, his wings larger, and his chest lengthened.
It all took but a moment, and it wasn’t an elegant process, but between one breath and the next, there was a bestial manticore blinking at her with Soren’s green eyes.
Maeve’s mouth fell open.
Fates, he’s gorgeous.
Resembling a big cat like a lion, histurukwas a beautiful beast. A dark brown mane haloed his broad feline face, cascading over his chest and narrowing down his belly. Rather than rounded leonine ears, his were longer, triangular, with tufts at the tips. His wings jutted from angular shoulders, and his tail, twice as long as it’d been before, whipped behind him.
He was the right colors, all warm browns and tawny golds, with his glittering green eyes. And yet, his manner was completely different.
This beast positively sauntered forward, shaking out his glorious mane for her benefit. Where Soren’s facial scars were so stark on his other face, on the beast, they seemed fitting.Thiswas a male who’d fought and won.
“Oh,” she sighed, rocking up onto her knees to meet him.
Beastly Soren dipped his head, allowing her to sink her hands into his thick, luxurious mane. An aggressive purr rattled in his chest, tickling her palms.
“You’re so beautiful,” she gushed, unable to contain her smile.
Beastly Soren chuffed and she swore he waggled his feline brows.
“My beautiful mate.”
Maeve gasped, arms dropping away. He couldtalkin this form?
The beast chuffed again—a beastly laugh?—and used hismuzzle to push at her chest. Maeve fell back onto her cushion with anoomph, watching in surprise as theturukstalked forward.
