In some ways it had been easier when he was a canine; she could just reach out and touch him whenever she wanted, in the same way you might pet a dog. Now he was all man, and she couldn’t just stroke his face. Could she?
“I’m a little unsure of myself.” She wasn’t usually so bold. She swallowed and felt her cheeks grow red with embarrassed heat.
He nodded. “Me too.”
“Really? You’re a hundred years old. Haven’t you encountered just about every situation at this point?”
“I feel like I really am thirty again. It’s a little bit like I’ve rewound the last seventy years.” Ashlee watched him scrunch up his forehead. “I shouldn’t have said that. You’re very new to this. I need to treat you like a human girl, and I have next to no experience with that, but I gather it’s important for you to have choices, that you not feel rushed or forced into something.”
“It’s true. I need to be my own person, but I understand a little better now what’s happening. When I was in the woods, I felt alone in the world and I knew I shouldn’t feel that way. I should have a pack. Then you came and I could smell you. I knew you were mine just by the way you smelled. It called to me, fed my soul in a way I didn’t understand when I hadn’t ever been a wolf.” She paused to consider her next words and was grateful he gave her the time to do so. “I still feel her with me, the wolf. I’m changed because of her, even now as a human.”
Tristan nodded. “She’ll always be with you now. She’s been sleeping your whole life; now that she’s awake, you’re going to have to fight her for dominance for a while, and then eventually you’ll meld into one being where you are both always. Although sometimes I still let myself disappear into the wolf when I’m on all fours because I like the sensation. But he never disappears into me. He’s way too dominant for that.”
“I’m feeling bold and frank; I’m not usually either of those things.”
“That’s her then. I’m not surprised. She, or rather you, is an exquisite wolf. I’ve never seen one like you before.”
Ashlee put her hands in her lap and sat up straight. “So, since I’m in a truthful mood, I will tell you that while I’m not sure I want to be owned.” Tristan opened his mouth, but she kept speaking and didn’t give him a chance to answer. “I don’t know if I can go without smelling, touching, or having you around, so I think we’re going to have to work something out.”
“Your eyes just went wolf, little one.”
Ashlee reached up to touch her eyes; they felt dry. She blinked twice and tried to clear them but it didn’t help.
“Take a deep breath. She’s just trying to protect you because she doesn’t know how I took that speech. Reassure her I am not upset, and even if I were, I would never harm you.”
Ashlee took a deep breath and closed her eyes. How was she supposed to reassure her wolf of anything? With her eyes closed, Ashlee could actually feel the wolf within her. A presence in her mind. Had it always been there?
All is well?
Her wolf spoke soothingly in her mind. She opened herself up to its thoughts and feelings. The canine was relieved to be with her now, sorry that her change had come so violently, and glad that they were no longer alone. Also, she adored Tristan, who she thought of as one entity, not man or wolf. Ashlee’s wolf had already made her choice; she was with Tristan for the long run. She just wanted Ashlee to catch up.
Ashlee decided to answer her . All is well.
I gave you dreams. It was the only way to speak to you. We can see things others don’t see yet.
Ashlee nodded. I know. Should she thank her? Thank you for saving Tristan.
He belongs to me too.
Her wolf sighed, pacing around inside of her. You thought you were crazy. You betrayed yourself when you let those people tell you that you were.
I know. She had denied her own truth, and she’d let others define her. It won’t happen again. I feel like I know myself now.
This was the declaration the wolf had been waiting for, and she settled back down before she added one last thought. If you forget, I will remind you.
Ashlee opened her eyes. Tristan smiled at her.
“You did that fast.”
“I actually kind of like her. She’s very simple to understand; she craves loyalty and love. It’s very easy to love a creature like that.”
“She’s not trying to dominate you?”
Ashlee shook her head. “At least not right now.”
“Then yours is nicer than mine.” He laughed aloud and grimaced. “My wolf didn’t think that was very funny. Actually, now that I’ve found you he is rather content and unobtrusive.”
Ashlee dove forward and captured Tristan’s mouth with hers. He froze and Ashlee wondered if he was stunned for a second, but then he pulled her head closer to his so their lips pressed together more firmly. Maybe her wolf was more in control than she realized, because Ashlee had no idea what had come over her. She wasn’t complaining—Tristan tasted fantastic. His lips moved over her own with a firmness that she loved. Then, he snaked his tongue past them and his taste burst in her mouth—mint and sex.
One of his hands held her securely against him, and the other roamed her back to trace patterns with his fingertips under her shirt, against her skin. She trembled and her nipples hardened. The sensations made her breathless. She wanted him inside of her now.
She pulled her lips from his and pushed him down on the bed so she could climb on top of him. It seemed desperately important she have him right that second.
His body showed her he agreed. The bulge in his corduroy pants told her he was hard and ready, beckoned her to reach inside and see for herself. Desperate to touch him, Ashlee stroked his large shaft through the velvety fabric of his corduroys. He groaned and closed his eyes.
“Ashlee, if we do this,” he spoke through gritted teeth. “It will complete the mating ritual. We’ll be bound together. I don’t want you to do this and not know the full implications.” An ill-timed knock on the door stopped whatever response she would have made.
“Plenty of time to mate later, children. I need to check on the patient.”
“Damn it.” Tristan uttered a low curse and shoved his shirt into his pants. He stood up and Ashlee watched him try to adjust himself. It must have pained him because with a grimace on his face he turned to face the wall.
Ashlee looked down at herself. She was a disheveled mess but whoever was out there—and Ashlee actually had to suppress the urge to sniff to see if she recognized the scent—knew what they were doing in here. Feeling comfortable in her state of rumpled clothing, she sat on the bed.
“Ready to meet some more family?”
Ashlee cocked her head to the side. “They’re related to me?”
“Everyone is pack, little Ashlee, we’re all family here.”
The knock pounded on the door again. “Stop fussing with yourself, boy, and open this darn door.”
“She’s charming, I assure you.” Tristan gave her a crooked smile and walked to the door. “Please, won’t you come in, Auntie?”
He opened the door and a tall, striking woman walked into the room. She was at least six feet tall with long grey hair that stretched all the way down to her feet. An elastic rubber band secured it behind her head. She wore huge glasses that covered most of her face, a calf-length purple skirt and a green tee shirt that read “Rhode Island Rocks” across the front.