Chapter 31
Okay, so I had grossly underestimated my mate’s common-sense intelligence.
He easily guessed my surprise, but it didn’t matter.
We were going to shift together, to run together, to fuck, to play, to talk as shifters.
Soma had said it would happen with every full moon.
Not to mention, the other thing I had yet to tell him. I still reeled over that one myself.
I woke up at the crack-ass of dusk, scrambling from the bed in the sneakiest ninja-like way that I could to be upstairs first. Harkin still snored away in bed, lying on his stomach with his bare ass poking out from the sheets.
Mission accomplished thus far. I stopped halfway up the stairs to ogle that wolfish ass.
My ass. After getting my shit together, I sprinted up the steps, immediately clamping a hand over Waffles’ snout to keep him quiet.
As I gave him repeated head smooches, I yanked part of the tarp free and stepped into Harkin’s backyard.
There were the typical things you’d seen in a yard—a cement patio, a grill, chairs, and grass that led to the forest. What took me by surprise was the abandoned garden with nothing growing in it.
Did Harkin have, or wish he had, a green thumb?
A single plant cluster bordered the garden’s soil rectangles.
The miracle herb that would help ensure Harkin and I had time alone for as long as we liked.
My fingers pattered over my stomach, still in awe that it would be possible.
I’d gone so long through my vampiric life accepting I’d never be a mother.
Found the silver lining. Warming up to it again would take time.
Taking some, I whisked into the kitchen to boil water on the stove instead of the loud, beeping microwave.
My fangs clicked against my bottom teeth as I waited for the kettle to whistle.
I kept glancing at the cellar door, my legs bouncing.
Waffles lay content in the crook of my arm, all four paws dangling.
As soon as the high-pitched whistle started, I yanked it from the burner and poured it over the mashed herbs.
By the time the cellar door opened, revealing a deliciously naked Harkin scratching the back of his head, I’d set Waffles on the floor. I leaned on the counter with a steaming mug held in both hands, sipping it.
The wolf squinted at me with a lop-sided smile. “You’re up early.”
“Too excited. I’m like a kid on winter solstice morning.”
Harkin’s grin faded as he sniffed the air, eyeing me curiously. “That don’t smell like blood.”
It was as if he recognized the scent but couldn’t quite place it. “That’s because it isn’t.” I sipped more tea, using the mug to hide my smile and flushed cheeks.
Stepping closer, Harkin took a deep inhale, his brows pulling together. “It smells familiar.”
After taking a big gulp, I added, “It’s the herb that grows in your yard.”
“The herb that—” Realization drizzled down his features like candle wax. His eyes, mouth, his everything became wide. “Rory?”
Resting the cup on the counter, I moved in front of him. “You figured out the biggest part, so I might as well spill everything before we do this tonight.” I took his hands, squeezing them. “Every month, when there’s a full moon, I’ll become my old shifter self.”
Harkin stumbled back a step, his grip on my hands tightening. “Alright, yeah, I somehow guessed that part already. You sayin’ there’s more?”
“And during those days, I’ll go into heat, Harkin. A real heat.”
Harkin dropped my hands only to move his to the back of my neck, his fingertips cradling my skull. “You saying what I think you’re sayin’?”
“I can bear your pups, Kins. If it’s something we want one day.” The damn blood tears threatened again when I saw that purely infatuated expression on the alpha wolf’s face.
“Shit,” Harkin whispered, pulling me to him and wrapping his arms around me. “To be clear, I was perfectly fine before when I knew we couldn’t. You’re my everything, that’s all that mattered.”
I buried my face in his chest. “But?”
“Just thankful you’re no longer robbed of a choice.”
Fuck, if that wasn’t the most perfect answer.
Harkin peeled back, resting his hands on my shoulders. “How is this possible?”
“The Shaman said it was some specific brew of my ancient maker and that the moon saw fit to make you my mate.” I cupped his face in my hands.
“We didn’t start that day, Harkin, because you weren’t alpha yet.
Your mark made all of this possible. Also, my mind wasn’t prepared to appreciate all of this as much as I do now. ”
“Don’t matter. None of it does.” Harkin’s mouth consumed mine, his tongue diving in to savor me, devour me. “Now is what we are. Not then. Now.”
“Living for the moment. Story of my life.” I picked at my cuticles with my thumbnail, my gaze drifting over my mark on Harkin’s throat. “Mind if I ask you something?”
Harkin folded his arms. “Shoot.”
“If you thought Mila was your mate, didn’t you mark her too?” The back of my neck numbed, waiting for his answer.
Harkin’s jaw clenched. He pressed a hand to my cheek, fixing his eyes on mine. “I did, but it always healed over. I should’ve known, for so many reasons, she wasn’t the real thing. The charm, though, it kept messin’ with my head.”
All the air escaped from my lungs. I pressed my hand over his. “I’m only glad you’re too strong for it to have fully worked.”
“It’s because I was meant for you, sweetheart.”
My sinuses burned. I clung to my mate, pressing my ear to his chest. “Give us a cwtch, Kins.”
The wolf’s arms slowly wound around me. “Alright, but, uh, is that what I’m doin’?”
“It’s this.” I nuzzled against him. His embrace was a cozy, warm home. “Precisely this.”
Harkin stood there holding me. The only sounds were our steady breathing, Waffles panting, and the wind rustling outside. Until my phone rang, bouncing on the kitchen counter.
As I pulled away, I swiped my finger under my eyes. “Must be Chelsea.” I put the cell to my ear. “Hello?”
“Good evening, Aurora. I wanted to let you know that my coven was successful with the spell. It’ll be a full moon glamour that will only affect you. It was the best we could do.”
My hand slipped over my mouth. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much again. Thank your sisters for me too.”
Chelsea yawned into the receiver. “No problem. Have fun.”
After we hung up, I leapt into Harkin’s arms. “It’s officially happening, but it won’t be a true full moon.”
Harkin rubbed my back. “Even better. Means the pack can shift at will.”
Moments ticked by, but I was content wrapped in Harkin’s embrace with my feet dangling, him idly swaying us back and forth.
“We better get a move on, sugar. The pack’s gonna be waitin’ on us,” Harkin whispered into my hair. He lowered me to the floor.
“Should we bother to get dressed?”
Harkin trailed a callused finger over my neck, between my breasts and down my bare stomach. “Much as I like the idea of you waltzin’ around naked, it’s customary to show up in clothes first.”
“Then give me a minute.” I smiled at him, positively beaming at what was about to happen.
Nerves prickled my skin as we approached the forest hand-in-hand.
The pack, just like Harkin predicted, chatted amongst themselves, trying to figure out what the hells was going on.
The clouds cleared in the sky, revealing the uncanny full moon in all its glowing white glory.
The chatter quieted, with gasps spreading throughout the wolf shifters.
“Color me curious, Alpha, but what is with the full moon that wasn’t due for another month?” Kaida pointed at the sky.
Harkin shrugged. “Why do you think I had anything to do with it?”
Thank you, Chelsea.
I squeezed Harkin’s hand and inhaled a deep, steadying breath, sighing at the transformation in my body. The sensation started in my toes, working up to my head, warming my blood. A pounding punched at my rib cage. I clapped a hand to my chest.
“Harkin,” I shrieked, fumbling for his palm to push against my sternum.
The wolf’s eyelashes fluttered. “A heartbeat.”
“I thought vamps didn’t have working tickers,” Phelan said from somewhere nearby.
Grinning widely, relishing the sound of it pulsing in my ears, I turned to the shifters of my new pack.
“They don’t, Phel. My mateship with the alpha made it possible on a full moon to—” I paused, that familiar itch striking at the base of my spine.
“—to do this.” Yanking the clothes from my body, I shifted into my deer form.
My vision switched to a wide, panoramic view.
The darkness amplified in shades of blue and yellow.
With a flick of my ears and tail, I turned in a circle in front of Harkin, giving him the full view. The other shifters chatted around us. Some shifted to their wolves. My focus lay solely on my mate’s reaction to my animal.
Harkin smiled and rubbed my head between my ears before trailing his touch down the length of my back, making my tan fur bristle. “Ain’t you a pretty doe?”
Preening and prancing from two hooves to the others, I spread all four wide with my fluffy tail sticking straight up.
Harkin gave a knowing grin. “Want the big, bad wolf to chase you, sugar?”
More than fucking anything.
Harkin yanked off his shirt, threw down his pants and appeared as his grey wolf.
He didn’t run immediately. He tilted his head to the moon and howled for me.
Others in the pack joined, the howls spreading through the forest and traveling above the tree branches.
I waved my bushy tail appreciatively at him and let out a gentle twittering bleat.