Page 64 of Shadowed Fate

Rory lets out a strangled sound, half-groan, half-howl. His body shudders violently, and I can feel the beast within fighting to break free.

I watch in horror as Rory's body contorts. His face twists in agony.

"Run!" he roars, voice deepening to an inhuman growl.

Panic floods my system, but I can't leave him. Not like this. Something snaps inside me. A surge of power, dark and electric, rushes through my veins.

Without thinking, I reach out and grab Rory's arm. Shadows erupt from my fingertips, enveloping us both in a cocoon of inky blackness. The air sizzles with energy, making the hairs on my arms stand on end.

Rory's transformation halts abruptly. His eyes, wide with shock, meet mine.

"What the fuck?" he whispers, staring at his still-human hands.

I can hardly believe it myself. The shadows pulse around us, alive and throbbing with potential.

"I... I don't know," I stammer. "Are you okay?"

Rory nods slowly, amazement and relief battling for dominance on his face. "I can feel it – the wolf. But it's... it’s calm. How did you do that?"

Marius' words echo in my mind: salvation or destruction.

I look into Rory's brown eyes, and I can barely breathe. His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining. The contact sends a jolt through me.

"You're incredible, Brigid," he murmurs.

A nervous laugh escapes me. "Says the werewolf."

Rory grins, that infectious smile lighting up his face. It’s a relief to see it again. "Aye, but I'm just a big furry lug. You've got real power."

His thumb traces circles on my palm. The simple touch ignites something deep within me.

"I'm scared of it," I admit.

Rory's other hand grazes my cheek. "Don't be. It's part of you. Same as my wolf."

Our faces are so close now. I can feel the warmth of his breath, smell the scent of his skin, woodsy and comforting.

"You're not scared of me?" I whisper.

"No more than you are of me, love.”

And then his lips are on mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, tentative. But as Rory pulls me closer, it deepens, becoming hungry and desperate. My fingers tangle in his blond hair as his tongue explores my mouth.

I moan softly, pressing my body against his. Rory's hands roam over my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

He breaks the kiss, panting. "Gods, Brigid. You're driving me mad."

"Good," I growl, nipping at his lower lip.

Rory groans, his hands gripping my hips. In one swift motion, he lays his jacket on the grass and lowers me onto it.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he breathes, fingers tracing the curve of my cheek. He leans on one elbow while his hand skims over one of my breasts, pausing as he feels the hardening nipple. He makes light circles with his palm over the bud.

I arch up, seeking his touch. Wanting more.

He pushes my t-shirt up over my bra, then flicks open the clasp in the middle. The motion releases my constrained breasts as they ache to be touched, nipples pointing in the chill of the night air. Rory pushes one full breast up to meet his mouth, the heat of his tongue and lips making me gasp as they close around my nipple. He sucks hard, and I feel the pull all the way in my center. The other breast is given the same attention as his hand pinches my nipple.

---