“The northern tributary is a half-day walk from here,” I said.
Her brow furrowed. “That’s inefficient.”
“It’s what we have.”
“Surely there’s a faster method of travel than walking.” She glanced at me. “My cousin’s new husband is a dragon shifter. He can fly.”
Another bolt of irritation blasted through me. “Wolf shifters are better than dragons.”
She gave me a slick smile.
I’d already talked myself into this. My pride, not jealousy, wouldn’t let Kirk escort her through my territory. And the sickness was spreading. We’d had more cases this week. I couldn’t pretend this would fix itself.
I stopped walking and turned to face her. “You’ll ride on me.”
She looked up from her notebook, blinking. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You’ll ride me to the tributary.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Like a horse?”
“Like a wolf.” I kept my voice flat and matter-of-fact. Dignified.
Mate on our back,my wolf said, smug as all get-out.Showing territory. As it should be.
I ignored him.
Victoria’s lips parted, her pen hovering motionless in the air. She was processing, probably weighing the efficiency against the… everything else.
“Try not to fall off,” I said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I assume you’ve never ridden a wolf before. It’s faster than walking, but if you can’t hold on, do let me know. I’ll do my best to catch you.”
“I do not fall off things.”
I raised an eyebrow. “No?”
“I have excellent balance and core strength.”
“Uh-huh.” I let my mouth curve into a slow smile. “We’ll see.”
Her eyes narrowed, and for a second I thought she’d launch into a detailed, scientific explanation of her physical capabilities. Instead, a laugh bubbled out of her, like she hadn’t meant to let it escape.
The sound hit me square in the chest like a spear.
Then I heard myself laughing with my wife in the middle of my territory while my pack trained nearby and the morning sun warmed the clearing.
I sat with the feeling. The ease of it and the way her laugh made something in me settle and wake up at the same time.
I didn’t like how much I liked it.
I shifted before I could think about it any longer, letting the transformation ripple through me. Four legs. Fur. The world sharpened into scents and sounds.
I dropped to my belly, as dignified as a wolf king could be while lying in the dirt waiting for his mate to climb onto his back.
Preening,my wolf said.We look good. Strong. She’ll be impressed.
