Chapter Fourteen #2
“Oh, he is.” Python grinned. “What he’s doing is a protective measure.
You idiots were chasing him, so his animal side decided he needed to be bigger and stronger than any of us – hence the dragon.
Then, I imagine, and this is just guesswork, but because this is the first time our friend has shifted, he decided to stretch his shifter muscles, so to speak.
To show all of you, he could be bigger and stronger than any of you. He was showing he’s worthy of respect.”
“He’s got mine,” Levi said drily. “Although I probably don’t count because I’m not the one standing with my dick flapping in the wind, trying to make amends for being an idiot.”
“What are you, Wren? Can you show me, please?” Devon held his breath as the elephant stilled. Then the air around him shimmered, and Wren disappeared.
“What the fuck? No!” Devon’s arms were out, waving in the air in front of him as he visually searched the ground, his heart beating hard enough to bounce out of his chest. He couldn’t see his mate, but Wren’s scent was as strong as ever.
“Look. He’s moving.” Flint sounded awed, and Devon strained to see what his friend was talking about. “Wren’s a chameleon. You can barely see him because he’s using the trees as camouflage. I can see a slight shimmer in the leaves. That is insanely clever. Absolutely insane!”
“Shimmer?” Devon looked up. Now Flint had mentioned it, he could see the faint outline of what looked like a huge lizard against the foliage behind him. Think Devon. Chameleon. Colors. “Wren, babe, can you show me the color of the clothes you wanted to wear? Show me who you are.”
Devon held his breath as the air in front of him seemed to move, showing a far more solid shape.
A large lizard, about the size of the Komodo that Wren had shifted into earlier.
But this lizard had a rounder body and a shorter tail that seemed to curl around itself like a coil.
The eyes looked as though they were mini hills on each side of the triangular-shaped head.
But it was the colors over Wren’s skin that struck a chord in Devon’s heart.
Hues of every shade of the rainbow rippled across the almost leathery-looking skin – bright yellows, pale blues, greens mixed with oranges, and flashes of red and pink.
“You are truly beautiful.” Devon blinked rapidly. “Absolutely beautiful.”
“Not wanting to burst anyone’s bubble,” Levi said. “But I thought chameleons were little lizards, no bigger than a person’s hand or even smaller. I’ve seen a picture of one that’s barely bigger than the tip of a man’s finger. How come your Wren’s so big?”
“Because he wants to be and he’s special,” Devon said quickly. “Because he’s bright and unique, and wonderfully exceptional. A shifter who’s stayed hidden for probably ten years, waiting for a chance to be free. He can be as big as he damn well wants to be.”
“A really handy mate for an assassin.” Python slapped Devon on the shoulder. “Come on, guys. Let’s leave Devon to his groveling. He’s going to have to work fast to get back into Wren’s good books, or his bits are going to freeze up and fall off. You doing a barbecue tonight, Levi?”
Devon ignored his friends’ chatter as they left.
He was focused on the one eye of Wren’s that he could see.
“I meant what I said,” he said quietly. “You are truly amazing. I love those colors on you. I was such a fool – thinking that just because I do my best to blend into the background, you should do the same. When I see you in your bright colors and your gorgeous smile, it warms my heart every time. I will protect your right to dress any damn way you please. I promise.”
He shivered. Python wasn’t wrong about the chilly air, although his cock didn’t seem deterred by it.
“I should’ve trusted you to tell me if there were things you weren’t ready for instead of making an assumption.
Do you think we could go back to our house?
I could get some clothes on, and you’ll need some too once you shift back.
Then, if you want to, we can cuddle up together, and I’ll answer any questions you have about claiming, sex, or anything else you want to know. ”
He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until Wren nodded. Pleased they had come to an agreement, Devon turned, indicating he was ready to walk back to the house, but apparently, Wren had other ideas.
Please don’t let my friends see this, or worse, get a picture, Devon thought as a furry arm came around his waist, and he was lifted off the ground as Wren started running.
As a freaking orangutan. The orangey fur was tickling Devon’s ribs, and his legs were flailing in the air as he was being bounced along.
It was just as well Wren could move fast. Devon had never experienced motion sickness before, but he was decidedly queasy by the time they got back to the house.
Pounding up the porch steps, Wren pushed through the door, heading straight for the bedroom.
Devon braced himself for being thrown on the mattress, but Wren – still as an orangutan – placed him carefully so Devon could sit on the edge of the mattress.
Then the furry beast, who was definitely cute in his own way, climbed up on the mattress, buried his head on Wren’s pillow, and within seconds, he was snoring.
Devon sighed, looking down at his still-hard dick. Back to waiting. He got up, heading over to his dresser for a pair of sweatpants. I’d better get some food organized. Wren is going to be starving when he wakes up.