Page 11 of His Tainted Mate

“What have you done?” she whispered as she struggled weakly and briefly before her body succumbed to the gentle resonance of his purring and her exhaustion.

“What needed to be done.”

CHAPTER 8

ELLE

What had he done? What had she allowed him to do? How long had she been unconscious?

Elle knew the bite he had inflicted would already be transforming her from Tasmanian devil to snow leopard. He hadn’t offered her a choice between the serum and being turned. He had just claimed what was his—or at least what he thought to be his.

She stood just inside the entrance to the cave, the storm raging outside as the man who would now be seen as her mate slept sprawled on his back. She tried to feel angry at him for what he had done but couldn’t find it within her to do so. He’d claimed her without her consent but had saved her life in so doing. Granted, the serum might have saved her, but there was no way of knowing for sure.

Had she really wanted to die? No, but she hadn’t really believed the serum would work or that it would reach her in time. All she’d known was that she hadn’t wanted to die lying pathetically in a hospital bed surrounded by those who would mourn her. Instead, she had opted to die alone.

But Rab had put an end to that when he inflicted the claiming bite. She looked out into the cloudy, rainy night which still showed the moon hanging high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the world. She could feel her body already beginning the transition from one form of shifter to another. Either she’d been even weaker than she believed, or a part of herself had recognized him on a cellular level as her fated mate and had been eager to succumb. The rush of the wind whistled through the trees, rustling their leaves and carrying with it the scent of pine and earth, grounding her in the present.

Since childhood, Elle had embraced her ability to transform into a Tasmanian devil, a creature as fierce and tenacious as she was. The devil’s compact, muscular body and sharp senses had become second nature to her, a familiar skin she wore with ease. But tonight, under the full moon's light, she would shed that skin and take on a new form—a snow leopard, majestic and powerful.

Elle closed her eyes, centering herself and drawing in deep, steadying breaths. The storm had abated. She felt the energy of the darkness around her, the pulse of life that connected all beings. The transformation process was both exhilarating and terrifying, a journey through pain and rebirth that she would need to navigate with resilience and courage.

The first pangs of change started as a tingling in her extremities, a signal that her body was beginning to shift as the familiar black swirling mist enveloped her. She dropped to her knees, her fingers digging into the cool earth as the sensation spread, grounding her. The pain of the transformation was less intense than she’d thought it would be, but she welcomed it, knowing it was the price of her healing and her metamorphosis.

Elle's senses heightened, her vision sharpening to see in the dimmest light, her sense of smell and hearing becoming acutely sensitive. She could detect the crackle of the underbrush, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. As the shroud of her devil-shifter receded to be replaced by one of snow and ice, her body became that of a snow leopard, built for stealth and strength, every muscle perfectly tuned for predatory grace.

The transformation was complete, but Elle remained still for a moment, adjusting to the new sensations. She rose slowly, testing the balance and power in her new limbs. Her movements were fluid, almost instinctual, as if she had always been a snow leopard. She marveled at the silent power in her step, the effortless refinement that came with this new form.

Elle glanced over her shoulder before padding softly out onto the side of the mountain. Each step was a revelation. The air was crisp and invigorating, filled with the scents of eucalyptus and damp earth. As a snow leopard, she felt a new sense of power coursing through her limbs, a perfect blend of strength and agility.

She took off at a steady pace, her paws making almost no sound on the rocky ground. Each step was precise and controlled, her body moving with a fluidity that came naturally in her new form. The rocky terrain of Cradle Mountain, with its steep inclines and jagged outcrops, presented a challenge she was eager to embrace.

Her muscles coiled and released with each powerful leap, propelling her up the slope with astonishing speed. The cold air rushed past her face, her whiskers twitching as she navigated the uneven ground. She bounded effortlessly over fallen logs and large boulders, her body adapting to every twist and turn of the trail.

The moonlight bathed the landscape in a silver glow, highlighting the contours of the mountain. Elle's vision, now keenly attuned to the night, picked out every detail—the smallest rocks, the hidden crevices, the distant movement of nocturnal creatures. Her senses were alive, each breath drawing in the essence of the wildness around her.

Reaching a plateau, she paused for a moment to take in the breathtaking view. Below her, the land stretched out in a vast, dark expanse, dotted with glistening lakes and shadowed forests. The sky above was a tapestry of stars, the Milky Way a luminous ribbon across the heavens.

Her heart raced with exhilaration, the thrill of the run filling her with a deep sense of freedom and joy. This was what it meant to be a snow leopard—an embodiment of grace, power, and untamed beauty. This was what it meant to be healed, the ravages of DFTD no longer a threat.

With a final, powerful push, she surged forward again, her body a blur against the rugged backdrop. She reveled in the sheer physicality of the run. The challenges of the mountain seemed insignificant as she soared over the terrain, her spirit soaring with her.

She bounded up onto a rocky outcropping before turning around and descending back down the way she’d come. The dense foliage underfoot welcomed her back into its embrace. She slowed her pace, her breath coming in steady, controlled bursts. The run had been brief but invigorating, a perfect demonstration of her new form's capabilities.

Elle came to a stop in front of the cave. She thought briefly about abandoning Rab and forging a new life for herself, but the way her heart clenched at the thought made her realize he might not have been the fated mate she had envisioned, but he had forged a bond between them whether she wanted it or not. Up above, the moonlight filtered down through the starry canopy. She sat back on her haunches, her tail curling around her, and let out a soft, satisfied purr. The night was still and full of promise.

Her new form carried with it a sense of majesty and confidence, a stark contrast to the tenacious ferocity of the Tasmanian devil she had been before. She felt an expansive awareness, a connection to the wild that was profound and exhilarating. It was as if she had unlocked a new layer of existence, one where she could fully embrace her dual nature and share it with the man who had given her back her life—maybe even a better one.

Elle felt a deep sense of satisfaction and peace. She had faced the pain and uncertainty of transformation and emerged stronger, more complete. The snow leopard's form suited her, a perfect blend of power, grace, and beauty.

She could feel his presence, even though he didn’t make a sound. Rab approached, emerging from the shadows of the cave. His emerald eyes locked onto hers, a mixture of admiration and pride evident in their depths.

"I see you found yourself," he murmured, his voice a deep purr that resonated through the night air as he stroked her luxurious fur. "You are truly magnificent."

Elle leaned into him, rubbing her head against his leg and feeling the warmth of his body against hers. The bond between them had been forged in fire and felt as though it was a deep, unbreakable connection.

Rab's presence was a comforting anchor. She could see the evidence of his caring for her through her transformation, understanding and providing for her during complexities and challenges that must have presented themselves.

As they stood together, Elle felt a profound sense of belonging. Her new form, the snow leopard, was a reflection of her inner strength and resilience. It was a testament to her ability to adapt, to embrace change and emerge stronger. The transformation had not only changed her physically but had deepened her connection to the wild and to Rab. It was a metamorphosis that signaled a new chapter in her life, one filled with promise and boundless potential.

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