Page 29 of My Pucking Family

I try not to freak myself out with all the thoughts and concerns trying to plague my mind. I really do. But after the first episode, I can admit I'm afraid. Even though every time I think about it, my wolf does that calming cat-like rub against my skin to make me feel better. When I'm not being afraid of my first shift, I'm so excited. I'll finally get to meet my wolf. What will she look like? How will it feel to be covered in fur and run on four legs?

Roman said that the evening of the full moon, we can go to the pack and join the others who will be experiencing their first shifts. He said the whole community comes together around a big bonfire and supports the pups through their first transition. Even though I'm not a pup, I still feel the urge to take part in the traditional rite of passage among my own kind. I also want to meet the pack. They will be part of my family and my new life.

As much as I dreaded really working through everything, it was unexpectedly cathartic to lay it all out there and have plans in place.

My thoughts are pulled back to now, when the tree trunk of a man behind me grumbles incoherently into my hair. I wriggle in his hold until I've turned myself around to look at him, brushing the sandy hair from his face. When his eyes finally open and meet mine, I'm once again rendered breathless. The happier he is, the brighter the green and blue of his eyes are, and right now, the most talented painters in the world couldn't capture the emotion shining there for me. For little, boring, orphan Leera.

Only, I'm not that girl anymore. I'm a werewolf. I'm someone's mate. I have a best friend. I'm a college student with a witch for a professor. I'll never allow myself to take this life for granted ever again.

“Why do you think so loudly, so early?” he grumbles.

It would seem my mate is also not a morning person.The thought causes a small giggle to squeak out.

“I've just been going over everything again from the last few days,” I reply, snuggling into his embrace when I feel him harden against me.

The liquid fire spreads through my veins again, but it's not the burning and desperate need that it was when I was in heat. I’m still in control of myself.

Roman shifts and groans, “Sunshine, you're going to have to stop rubbing against me like that. I'm trying to behave for you.”

I do as he says and stop wiggling. I, however, have no interest in behaving this morning. I play with a few of the hairs on his chest before I trace his ab muscles leading to the perfectly defined v-muscle and allow my fingers to skitter across the waistband of his boxers.

I watch my fingers as they explore his body when he lightly grips my chin to look at him.

“You don't have any idea how amazing this feels, but you don't have to do this if you aren't ready yet.” It seems to pain him to say.

We're lying on our sides facing each other, so I take his hand from my chin and lay it on his side before pushing him onto his back. I don't straddle him this time, but I lean over the top of his body and kiss my way up to his face.

“You'll never know how much it means to me that you're keeping yourself aware of my boundaries and limits, but I think it's time you stop worrying about that.”

He goes to say something, but I stop him with a kiss that makes me wet.

“I'll let you know if I start to think we’re going too far, but that's not what's happening today.”

He quirks an eyebrow at me while I return to kissing down his body.

“Last time, you got to explore me.” I stop kissing to look him in the eyes when I finish, “And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to explore my mate.”

He growls, and the vibrations travel to all the sensitive nerve endings in my body, causing me to release a small whimper.

“Can I touch you, too?” he pleads.

“You can touch but not pleasurably.” I smile. “At least until I’ve finished my exploration.”

“Alright, my little miracle, I'm all yours.”

22

Waking up and having her here is a blessing that will take centuries for me to believe is real, and that was before she informed me that she'd like to start her day by exploring my body.

Goddess, help me.

Everywhere her little fingers and luscious lips touch feels like it's on fire. Though at this rate, I would happily burn for her.

When she reaches the waistband of my shorts again, she continues to go lower, touching me just over the material, just as I did her.

The difference is that I was familiar with the female anatomy, which makes me wonder, “Have you ever seen a man?” I ask lightly, making sure not to sound judgmental.

She blushes and shakes her head.

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