Chapter Ten #2
“We’ll go into the woods behind the property,” Flint said as they walked past the other houses.
Arrow caught glimpses of the other assassins and their mates - Pax waving enthusiastically from Storm’s porch with one hand because the other one was holding a donut, Cyrus and Python working on something in the distance - but Flint led him away from the buildings and into the trees.
The forest was quiet, just the whisper of wind through pine branches and the distant call of birds. Flint stopped in a small clearing and turned to face Arrow.
“My snake is big,” Flint said. “And black. Some people find that threatening. If you need to leave, I won’t follow you, and I won’t be offended.”
“I’m not leaving,” Arrow promised.
Flint searched his face for a long moment, then nodded. He stepped back and began to undress, folding his clothes neatly on a fallen log. Arrow tried very hard to focus on the trees, the sky, anything except the expanse of pale skin being revealed. Flint was gorgeously proportioned.
Then Flint shifted. The change was fluid and fast, nothing like the bone-cracking shift of mammals. For one split second, Flint stood human and vulnerable, the next a massive black snake coiled where he’d been standing.
Arrow’s breath caught in his throat. The snake was enormous - easily twenty feet long and as thick as Arrow’s thigh.
Black scales gleamed in the dappled sunlight, patterns shifting as the snake moved.
The head was broad and elegant, with eyes that were still unmistakably Flint’s - huge, expressive, and watching Arrow carefully.
“You’re beautiful,” Arrow whispered.
The snake went very still. Arrow took a cautious step closer, then another.
He’d never been near a snake before and had no frame of reference for what to expect.
But underneath the scales was Flint, his mate.
The snake was his mate, too, and Flint was testing him to see if Arrow could accept all of him.
“Can I touch you?” Arrow asked softly.
The snake dipped its head in what was clearly a nod. Arrow reached out slowly, giving Flint plenty of time to pull away. His fingers made contact with smooth scales that were cool and dry against his skin. He stroked gently along the snake’s side, marveling at the powerful muscle beneath.
“You’re really incredible,” Arrow said softly. “So powerful and graceful. I’ve never seen anything like you.”
The snake moved closer, that massive head nudging against Arrow’s chest with surprising gentleness. Arrow laughed and ran his hands over Flint’s scales, learning the texture and feel of the unusual form.
His wolf was fascinated and not threatened at all. Flint was their mate - small and fierce as a human, massive and deadly in his animal form. Both sides of Flint were perfect.
The snake pulled back slightly and made a soft hissing sound, then nudged Arrow again. Arrow understood.
“You want to see my wolf?”
Another nudge.
Arrow stepped back, giving himself room before he pulled off his clothes, and let the shift take him.
His wolf surged forward eagerly, bones reshaping and fur sprouting.
The change was familiar and easy after years of practice.
When he stood on four paws, he shook out his gray coat and looked at Flint.
The snake was watching him with those too-intelligent eyes, head raised. Then Flint began to move, gliding through the undergrowth with fluid grace. Arrow followed, his wolf delighted to finally be close to their mate.
They moved through the forest together, Flint’s snake navigating fallen logs and dense brush while Arrow padded alongside.
Sometimes Flint would pause to investigate something - a rabbit burrow, an interesting tree - and Arrow would wait patiently, content just to be near and constantly checking the air to make sure no one else was around.
His wolf wanted to touch and to claim. But Arrow kept that instinct leashed. Flint had done him a great honor, showing Arrow his world, letting Arrow into another part of his life. The claiming would come later, when Flint was ready.
After an hour, Flint led them back to the clearing. Arrow shifted first, turning his back and putting on his clothes, while Flint changed and dressed as well. When he turned around, Flint was pulling on his shirt, his expression uncertain.
“Well?” Flint asked quietly.
Arrow crossed the distance between them in three strides. He stopped just short of touching, his hands hovering near Flint’s shoulders. “Can I?”
Flint nodded, his eyes still wary. Arrow pulled him into a gentle hug, hanging tightly onto his control, making sure that he wasn’t grasping or grabbing, despite how badly he wanted to hold on and never let go. Flint was warm and solid against him, fitting perfectly under Arrow’s chin.
“Your snake is amazing,” Arrow said into Flint’s hair. “You’re amazing. Both sides of you. Thank you for trusting me enough to show me.”
Flint’s arms came around Arrow’s waist, holding on tight. “You really mean that.”
“I really mean that.” Arrow forced himself to loosen his grip, to step back even though it physically hurt. “I also meant what I said about not being pushy, though. We should probably head back before I embarrass myself.”
Flint looked up at him, his huge eyes dark with want. “What if I don’t want you to go?”
Arrow’s heart stopped. “Flint…”
“I’m not saying we claim each other tonight,” Flint said quickly. “But maybe you could stay for dinner? Meet everyone properly instead of while they’re threatening to curse you? And then if you wanted to stay over…just to sleep…my guest room is…”
“Yes,” Arrow said. “To all of it. Absolutely yes and thank you.”
Flint didn’t say anything, but his wide smile spoke volumes.