Page 15 of Wolf Chosen

“What are you doing?” she giggles.

My gaze runs over her body, noting the changes in the past day. She’s still too thin, too frail, but there's no missing the way her softness has firmed into muscle.

Her body is changing. Unexpectedly.

“Just seeing how my blood transfusion is helping you,” I say.

I have less time than I thought to introduce her to the world of wolf shifters before the changes become too obvious for her to ignore. I need to tell her the truth of who and what I am, and what we are to each other.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Liam?” Her gaze bounces between my eyes, as she rubs the center of her chest right over where she’ll feel the bond.

Fear grips my heart because although I want her to know, this is the wrong time. She’ll run. Her car is just outside, easily accessible. I need to tell her, but in a place she can’t leave. In a location I can help her confront her new reality.

“I was thinking you might be strong enough to go on a hike tomorrow. Would you like me to take you?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light. “The forest trails around here are beautiful. Since this is my hometown, I know all the best spots to show you.”

Taylor's face lights up with a bright smile. “That sounds wonderful! I'm feeling so much better. I have so much energy.” A teasing lilt enters her voice as she adds, “There must be something special in your blood that agrees with me.”

If only she knew just how right those words are. Before I can formulate a response, she winds her arms around my neck and kisses me deeply.

A slight frown creases her brow as she pulls back. “I crave you so much and I don’t understand why.”

Her confusion filters through our bond, but it's quickly overwhelmed by desire, the profound longing that has me crushed against her in an instant.

“Goddess knows I need you in the same way.” I capture her lips again, losing myself in her essence. In the bond. In the magic of discovering my mate.

We make love through the night, and when morning comes, Taylor is already reaching for her hiking clothes with an excitement that both warms and pains me.

“You know, I came here to find some hiking trails. It’s stage one on my bucket list. I was hoping to do some before...” She trails off, but I hear the unspoken words loud and clear. Before she had to return home to face her impending death.

She frowns at me as she rubs her chest. “What's wrong? You seem...tense.”

I paste on what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Just make sure you bring a jacket. It can get chilly in the forest.”

The excuse is weak but I can't bring myself to shatter her bright-eyed excitement just yet. Soon, though. Soon I'll have to change her world forever. I just pray she'll be able to accept her new reality.

Accept me as her mate.

Yes mate. Tell mate. My wolf thrums with excitement, wanting to show himself, but he doesn’t understand the delicacy of the situation.

I pack some food and shove it into a backpack as Taylor all but bounces on her feet at the back door.

“I can’t believe there are hiking trails right outside! I can’t believe I didn’t notice them before.” I miss my step when her eyes glow with a preternatural light but when I look again, her green eyes sparkle with nothing more than good health.

The changes in her over the past few days are nothing short of astonishing. Gone is the frail, sickly woman who walked into Sally’s Diner three days ago. In her place is a vibrant, energetic force of nature. The woman she always was before she was ravaged by disease.

Cindi looks up from where she's kneeling beside her garden as she carefully tends to the vibrant blooms surrounding the back patio. Her brow creases the moment her gaze lands on Taylor, eyes widening as she takes in my mate’s newfound vitality.

To her credit, Cindi manages to rein in her shock. I can practically see her holding back the flood of words she wants to let loose. Her brow flicks upward when she sends a pointed look at me. “Off for a little hiking adventure?”

“Just going to show Taylor some of the local trails,” I reply with a meaningful look, letting her know we need our space for what's to come.

Cindi's shoulders relax minutely and with a small, understanding smile, she refocuses on Taylor, her expression one of genuine warmth.

“It's so beautiful out here!” Taylor gushes, completely oblivious to the weight of our unspoken exchange. “The air is so fresh and vibrant. I swear I can almost taste it!”

With a final farewell to Cindi, I take Taylor's hand and lead her from the safety of the 'Bite’ and into the forest, our path stretching out before us. With each step, the need to reveal her new reality grows heavier with every passing minute.

I should tell her now. Show her what she's becoming, explain the bond between us but then she turns that radiant smile on me, telling me about the trees and the forest, so full of wonderment and contentment, and the words die on my tongue.

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