Chapter 7 – Violet
Chapter Seven
Violet
My wolf is an asshole. That’s all there is to it. She’s a dick. She won’t even communicate with me to tell me why she won’t hand over control so we can shift back.
It’s embarrassing and frustrating, and I threaten to have an exorcism and have her plucked from my brain as soon as I’m back in human form. It’s not an effective scare tactic, considering we both know it’s not possible.
She’s never been so pushy before, and I don’t know what to do. At first, sure, I was down to stay in wolf form, mostly because Bryant is intimidating.
I also didn’t want to be naked in the middle of Black Cove, but once we made it to his motel, I was ready to take over.
My wolf shut me out so hard that I even lost the ability to see what was happening while she was in control.
Usually we coexist in either form. While I’m in control of our human body, she can give input and push me to act how she wishes.
The same is true for when we’re in wolf form.
I can see what’s happening and try to influence her actions.
When Bryant’s alpha command ripped through my body, it forced the shift.
She acted like she would give back control when I was ready, but as soon as we made it into the motel, she shoved me out of the driver’s seat.
Okay, maybe it was more like shoving me out of the passenger seat, since I wasn’t the one in control of our body.
Either way, it was jarring as fuck.
I try to let her out here or there, but apparently, I haven’t let her take the lead enough recently.
By the time I popped back into consciousness, Fergus was in the motel, and he and Bryant were arguing. They seem to have come to some understanding since, or maybe they’re just playing nice, but I’m overwhelmed.
Finding out that I claimed Fergus was a brutal shock that I still haven’t recovered from. If my wolf would stop being an asshole, I’d take over so he and I could have a conversation.
Instead, she trots into the kitchen, following him like a puppy. It’s not a good look, and I try to tell her as much, but she once again ignores me.
Bryant stands near the stove, shoveling a giant mountain of eggs onto a plate from the pan he was using.
Huh.
I didn’t even know the house came with pots and pans, but I have no need for cookware or dishes.
Fergus is as handsome as always as he heads to the cabinet, grabbing out glasses.
Okay, he’s fucking hot.
Like the brain-melting kind of sexy.
His blond hair is long, falling mid-back even when it’s heavily braided.
The sides of his head are shaved, and the top of his skull has three tight French braids.
The one in the center is thicker than the two that run along the sides closest to the shaved part.
The style reminds me of what a Viking would wear, but somehow Fergus pulls it off in a way that doesn’t come off as trite.
He has sharp pointed ears with more piercings than I can count. That’s not even taking into the account the ones in his nipples. He loves when I flick my tongue over them or give them a gentle tug while I’m riding him.
Fergus is covered in dark runes and sigils that line his lithe frame from his neck and down his sides. They disappear into the waistband of the lace-up leather pants that he loves so much.
Where Fergus is slender, like most elves and fae, Bryant is just a genuine beast. His broad shoulders stretch the T-shirt he’s wearing to capacity. Hell, even his thighs are massive.
Any time he makes eye contact, the dominance in his gaze gives away that he’s an alpha shifter, but without that, his size and physique are solid clues.
I’m having trouble understanding why he’s still here.
My wolf picks this very moment to share a quick flash of what went down at the motel. The way Bryant growled at Fergus, telling him I wasn’t his mate because I’m actually Bryant’s, sends a shiver down my spine.
He’s our mate. You’re not allowed to mess this up. My wolf projects the thought to me.
I hate to tell you this, but we already claimed Fergus. Who knows if Bryant is even open to sharing, I reply.
He will be. He’s ours. He won’t be able to deny the connection. She seems very sure, but I know how hard it was for my father to get the hang of being part of a family pack. My mom said out of all four of her mates, he struggled the most because of his wolf.
Okay, well, hand control back, and I’ll have a conversation with both of them, I practically beg.
No, she replies, like that’s the end of that.
I try to slam her out of the driver’s seat, but it doesn’t work.
My vampiric side is too hungry, and her resolve is too strong. I’ve never been trapped in wolf form for so long, and it’s really starting to freak me out.
Bryant’s black hair falls around his face as he puts the last plate of food down on the table.
Fergus glances between me in shifted form and the alpha wolf and takes a seat at the table. “This is officially the weirdest first date I’ve ever been on, but thanks for feeding me.”
Bryant snorts. “No one is trying to date you, mage.”
“I’m really starting to become worried that she hasn’t shifted back,” Fergus says, forking a pancake and bringing it to his plate. He swipes a hand over the table, and a large plate of fruit appears.
Shit.
That’s right.
He’s a vegetarian.
Bryant makes his way over, squatting in front of me. “Good morning, little wolf.”
My wolf chuffs, bumping her nose against his arm until he gives her scratches.
“You are quite the bossy little thing,” Bryant says, his eyes lighting with his beast. “You’re going to need to change back, sooner rather than later.”
My wolf whines, ripping her gaze away from his.
“Uh-oh.” Fergus chuckles. “You pissed her off.”
“Yes, apparently I did,” Bryant says, wrapping his hand around my wolf’s jaw and tilting her face back to his. “Would you like some breakfast?”
Goddammit.
He knows just how to win over my wolf. Her head bobs, and he grins a dangerous smile that completely transforms his face.
“At least you don’t hold a grudge,” he murmurs before standing and walking to the table. He takes a seat, and my wolf trots behind him and sits back on her haunches near his chair. He plucks a piece of bacon off the plate, holding it out for my wolf.
Whenever she eats, it completely restarts my biological functions, and she knows I’m annoyed as she gobbles down the food he offers.
I’m so done with today.
My wolf eats until she’s full and trots off to the living room, curling up on the couch. She tucks her nose near her rump and pulls her tail over her eyes.
My eyes flutter as I stretch, and my skin is cool. That never happens when I’m in shifted form.
“Ahh, and I was just wondering if I should call out of work for the two of us,” Fergus says, a jovial lilt to his tone. “Would you like my shirt, love?”
My jaw falls.
I’m exceptionally naked, just like every time I change back after a shift.
My hand falls to my stomach.
Oh my god.
My wolf ate so much that I’m actually bloated. I’m used to sticking with an all-liquid diet, and it feels like I’m carrying around an extra five pounds of weight.
I might actually vomit.
My vampiric side isn’t used to having so much heavy food in my stomach. Not to mention, my digestion slows to practically nonexistent when I’m not in wolf form.
What I really need is to find some clothes. I use my vampiric speed to shove myself off the couch and make a mad dash to the doorway that leads to the stairs. Only, Bryant comes around the corner at that exact moment, and I face-plant into his strong chest.
I squeak.
He chuckles, his hands landing on my arms as he takes a step back. “Ahh, it’s good to see you back in human form.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I shake out of his hold and zip around him, beelining for the stairs. “Sorry about that.”