"I can't deny I'm uncomfortable doing this to you, Tessa. I don't want you to regret it. But I also don't want to bite you. Wolves do bite in playfulness, but as a wolf to human?" He shook his head and pulled her blouse off her shoulders.
So he was changing her. But that didn't mean he was taking her for his mate. Despite wanting to know the truth first, her body instantly responded to his touching her, flames stoking her insides, a wet readiness preparing her for sex--not change. Want and need replacing common sense. His gaze focused on her face--watching for any sign of hesitation?
The change. That's what he was concerned about. "I used to play tug-of-war with my Irish Setter when I had one. She'd sometimes go for my hand by accident." She hoped her lighthearted response would ease his concern.
Hunter smiled. "Want to play tug-of-war?" He pulled her blouse off the rest of the way. "I've got to do this. We don't have a choice."
She seized his hands and looked into his eyes. In that instant, he looked even more concerned, his mouth tightening, jaw clenched, brow furrowing.
"I'm afraid, which isn't being alpha like, is it? But I worry I'll change too much. But more than that, what are you going to do with me afterwards?"
Still looking stern, a hint of relief flitted across his expression. "You're mine."
She should be ecstatic to have that question resolved, shouldn't she? But she couldn't quit worrying about the change. Instead of addressing his claim, she said, "I thought you couldn't shapeshift unless the moon was out." Yet she recalled the look Meara had given him.
His sensual lips curved upward just a little as he started pulling off his clothes, revealing his beautiful body, rough hewn, rugged, capable of enduring great hardships, or giving her carnal pleasure. "I'm a royal and can do anything I want." He gave an arrogant smile. "Almost anything."
"So as a royal, you can shapeshift anytime?"
"That's the beauty of it."
"That's why you could be a SEAL. No worry about shifting while under water."
He chuckled. "No. And the group I was with--all royals, just for that reason."
She sighed. No scars marked his smooth as silk skin, every bit of toned muscles from his wide shoulders to his well-developed chest, flexing in anticipation. She looked lower, from his narrow waist and hips down to his full blown erection standing at attention amidst dark curls.
"I have to shift, but if you keep looking at me like you want to eat me all up..."
Her eyes riveted back to his lusty gaze.
"You might want to look away when I begin to shift."
"I've seen you shapeshift. You're gorgeous. What if I'm motley?" Again, she tried to make light of the situation, although her stomach churned with renewed apprehension.
"You'll be beautiful. But Leidolf and Devlyn will want you unless we're mated. Ready?"
She nodded. He looked like he wanted to kiss her, his gaze lowering to her mouth again and lingering there... but then he took a deep breath and began to shift into his wolf form. She couldn't get over how fast the transformation was. Would she shift just as quickly? If Ashton was any indication of a newly turned lupus garou, then yes, she'd change just as swiftly. Probably of a necessity, to avoid humans catching sight of them between forms.
She watched in awe, how his body changed gracefully, effortlessly, painlessly, from the muscled hunk to the healthiest specimen of a wolf she'd ever seen. Beautiful almond eyes captured hers and then before she could say a word, the wolf that was Hunter jumped on the bed and nuzzled her cheek.
She stroked his head. "Hurry and do it before I change my mind." Her skin perspired lightly and in the cold hospital room, she shivered.
His amber eyes remained fixed on hers and then he dipped his head and nipped her uninjured arm.
"Ow," she said, frowning. "Jeez, Hunter. That hurt like a hard pinch and you didn't even break the skin. But I'll have a bruise for sure there now."
If a wolf could look contrite, he did and tried again. His second bite was as lame as his first.
"Ah for heaven's sakes, Hunter. Another bruise. Hurry and do it right or I'm calling it quits." She hoped her words would make him stop worrying about hurting her. She'd heal quickly anyway, wouldn't she?
He bit again and broke the skin this time. Her eyes watered and she bit her lip. Blood trickled from the bite on her arm, and he licked it away. And waited.
Self-doubt filled her. Maybe he didn't turn her either, just like Yoloff hadn't. What if she was some strange anomaly and couldn't be turned? Maybe her great-grandmother couldn't be either and that's why she died of the fever? A sadness filled Tessa with the notion neither her ancestor or she could forever be with the one she loved.
But if the change had taken effect, what was she supposed to feel like? Except that her swollen ankle and arm where Yoloff had bitten her were tingling with the strangest sensations, nothing else was different.
Hunter continued to watch her, not shapeshifting. She hoped to hell he wouldn't have to bite her again.
"Too bad with all of your enhanced abilities, you can't talk when you're in your wolf form, too." She glanced at the door. "Someone's coming. You'd better hide under the bed."
Hunter didn't budge, just continued to observe her.
"I mean it. I... I hear several people." Her heart pumped harder.
"Howdy, folks," Allan said at the door.
"Did he do it yet?" Leidolf asked, his voice guardedly amused.
Leidolf. Her heart took a dive.
"It remains to be seen. I'm taking care of things here. Why don't you run along?"
"Tell Hunter four of his people want to return with him. The fifth wants to stay with one of my widowed males to be his mate. When Hunter's through here, he and Tessa can meet me at the hotel. Different set of rooms. Just check at the front desk. Dinner's on me."
Tessa relaxed. Leidolf didn't want her, thank God for small miracles.
"I'll let him know."
Tessa took a deep breath, smelled the air, and looked at Hunter in his feral wolf form, her eyes widening. "You're a gray. I mean, I smell a special scent that surrounds you. A wildness, like a fresh spring day, the woods, the great outdoors."
She swore his mouth curved up just a hair, before he began to shapeshift--his body straightening, his rich fur pelt vanishing, leaving behind bronzed skin over hard muscles. Until he stood before her, one gloriously built male stud.
He touched her face, his amber eyes gazing into hers, his expression concerned. "How do you feel, Tessa?"
She loved him for it, for being concerned about her welfare above all else. No one but her mother had ever treated her that way.
Tessa took his hand and kissed it. "Better. My ankle feels strange. Prickling and numb, but not sore any longer. And where you bit me, the skin's already sealed up. The bruise you gave me has gone away. Where Yoloff tore the skin feels ticklish, like when injured skin is scabbing over and new skin is created to take its place."
"How do you feel in here?" Hunter said, still frowning as he reached for her forehead with a whisper-soft touch.
"Oh. I don't think I'll know the answer to that question until I've experienced more of the changes."
He unbuckled her belt and then unzipped her jeans. "You're not upset?"
Her eyes grew big. "You're going to make love to me in a hospital bed?"
He leaned over and kissed her lace-covered breasts, stirring her craving to make love to him.
"You bet, alpha mate of mine. We do it often, whenever and wherever we can."