“What about it?” she snapped, knowing where this was leading.
“Logan’s my beta. I trust him with my life. And as much as it will kill me, I trust him with you, with us…together. After this first shift with the pack, you’ll be able to control it. But this first time, I want it to be special for you, Kalli.”
“I know. But Tristan, what exactly are you saying? It’s not that I’m not open to experiencing different things with you. I won’t lie, Logan’s nice and he’s good-looking, but he’s so not….he’s not…you. You’re the one I want to claim.”
Tristan leaned forward, capturing her lips in a soft kiss. “I know, baby. I just want us to be good…for the change to be the most incredible thing you’ve ever experienced. Logan cares for you. You’ll be safe with us. We’ll take care of you, I promise.”
“Are you sure about this, Tristan? You do know that you’re freaking me out. I don’t want to turn into some kind of a sex crazed maniac tomorrow night,” she insisted.
Tristan laughed. “It’s not like that at all, Kal. In fact, I’m doing a pretty shitty job of explaining this whole thing. All I can tell you is that it will be beautiful; your shift, our lovemaking, everything.”
“This is so crazy. It’s not like I haven’t shifted, but it’s just been me, though. How pathetic is it that I don’t even know something so basic, like what color I am or how to hunt with another wolf?”
“It’ll come naturally. All of it. Our bond, Kalli, that’s what’s new…for both of us. Can you feel it?” he whispered.
“Yes.” She skimmed two fingers over her mark. “I’ve never felt so strongly for anyone else in my entire life, Tristan.”
“I feel the same way. My mark,” Tristan slid his fingers under hers, tracing the symbol, “I want everyone to see it so they know you’re mine. You’ve changed everything for me.”
“Not nearly as much as you’ve changed things for me. I’ve been scared for so long, I’ve forgotten who I was or how to trust. And you’re changing that, and it’s unbelievable to feel again. But I can’t imagine what I’ve done for you.”
“Let’s put it this way, I’ve been alone a long, long time. And I’ve never once in all those years wanted to be with one female…one woman.” God, he wanted to tell her how she was his mate and how much he loved her. But she hadn’t even shifted yet. He didn’t want to scare her.
“When you say all those years, what do you mean? How old are you?”
Tristan laughed. “Old enough to know I’m robbin’ the cradle when it comes to you, my little wolf.”
“But you look like you’re maybe thirty in human years. And even that is pushing it. Fess up,” Kalli pressed with a smile.
“Born in 1862. You do the math.” He grinned.
“So that puts you around one hundred and fifty?” She quickly calculated.
“That’s what I get for falling for such a smart woman. Pretty quick on the math facts, huh?”
“Did you know that as a half breed I carry the benefit of immortality too? Ironically, both my parents are dead, anyway.”
“Ah, but your mum was human. And your dad, well, he fought and lost. Even vampires can die. It’s just the way of…”
“Nature?” Kalli finished his sentence, laughing.
“See? My lessons are rubbing off on you, young grasshopper,” Tristan teased. “I’ve got lots of wonderful things I can’t wait to teach you.”
“I think it’s time I teach you a lesson or two, oh great one,” she jested, moving her hand over his leg, skating across the juncture of his thighs. “Although being the student definitely has its perks.”
Tristan tensed as her hand skimmed over him. The evidence of his growing arousal pressed against the zipper of his jeans. Pulling her closer, he kissed the top of her head.
“Baby, whatever role you want is fine with me. You up for a little ‘how to’ in the great outdoors kind of lesson?”
Kalli cried his name in delight as he flipped her over onto her back. Straddling her, he ran his hand up under her tank top, caressing her breast.
“Yes please,” she moaned, ready to take anything and everything he was willing to give her. Her heart was lost to him.
Chapter Twenty-One
After making love at the lake, Tristan and Kalli rode back to the barn, turned over their horses and hurried back home to get ready for Toby’s memorial. Unsure what to wear, Kalli settled on rolled-up jean capris and a black tank top. By six-thirty, it had cooled only slightly after a ninety degree day, and Tristan had warned her that they’d be sitting for a while and to dress comfortably. Sliding on a pair of sandals, she bounded down the stairs to find Tristan and Logan lounging on the sofas but engaged in a serious conversation. Assuming it was about Toby, she quietly sidled up to Tristan.
“Hey there, we were just talking about how we’re going to run things tonight. Fortunately, we don’t need to have many funerals ’round here.”
“Hi Kalli,” Logan greeted, looking handsome in jeans and a white t-shirt, his bare feet crossed and rested on the coffee table.
“Hey Logan,” she replied, looking to Tristan for guidance. For some reason, she’d become slightly worried about how people would react to Tristan’s mark, his claim on her.
“He knows, Kalli. It’s okay. We talked about everything,” Tristan assured her, giving her thigh a quick squeeze.
Like how I’m going to turn into a sex craved maniac tomorrow night, she thought to herself.
As if Tristan could read her thoughts, he continued with a sexy grin. “He knows about us, and yes, we’ve talked about tomorrow night.”
Logan interrupted, wanting to put Kalli at ease. “It’s okay. I understand why you created CLI and hid your wolf. Self-preservation is pretty damn important when you’re alone. But now you have us.” He looked to Tristan and then back at Kalli. “And we won’t let anything happen to you. Not tonight, tomorrow or any other day.”
“Thanks,” she acknowledged, willing herself to remain composed. “It’s…it’s not easy growing up in a pack like I did…alone. I just want you to know that I really appreciate you and Tristan looking out for me.”
Tristan wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to him. “Soon, the whole pack will be there for you. You’ll never be alone again.”
Kalli gave him a small smile, giving in to her need to snuggle him, to touch him.
“I can’t imagine what it was like for you all those years…shifting alone. It’s just not right. You’re going to love running with the pack. Tristan said he’s running with you tomorrow night. I’ll lead the pack then meet up with you guys later.” He caught Tristan’s eyes and smiled. “I won’t lie, Kalli. I’m honored to be a part of your shift and helping you with your…um…needs. You know…should a need arise.”
“Oh my God. This is so embarrassing,” she gasped, putting her hands over her eyes. Her cheeks flamed. “Is there nothing you guys don’t discuss?”
Tristan’s eyes fixed on him with a glare. “What don’t you understand about ‘be cool’? As for tomorrow, don’t get used to it, wolf. She’s mine.”
Logan laughed, enjoying riling up his friend. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. As if I was ever not clear on that. Come on…I am the great seer.”
“Do share your visions…seems like you’ve been holdin’ back on me, bro,” Tristan accused.
“I can’t share all my secrets. It’s fate, anyway. I mean, look at your mark, it’s beautiful.”
“That it is. She’s mine, and I want the whole pack to know it.”
“Thank you, both. I couldn’t be happier to wear it. And soon, I will be leaving my own mark on you, my Alpha,” she purred openly. She didn’t care if Logan was there to hear her. The way she felt, she’d shout it from the mountains. Claiming him would be one of the first things she did once her wolf reemerged.