Page 25 of A Wulver for the Week

And when I do—something happens.

Something I can’t blame on alcohol or sunstroke or even jet lag.

Craig has the head of a wolf—but an intelligent, human-like wolf, something out of a fantasy novel or video game—and his body is the body of a man.

He’s the wolfman in my dream.

“Minerva?” he whispers.

“What is that?” I ask, pointing to his face.

“I tried to tell you.” He gives a helpless shrug, stepping back. “I’m a wulver, but everything I’ve said about loving you is true.”

A broken laugh bubbles out of my throat. “That’s not possible.”

“Then I’m impossible.” He steps towards me again, grabbing my wrist and pulling me forward. He retrieves the ring from my hand and slides it on—but the illusion is broken. I see Craig for what he is. Some handsome half-man, half-wolf.

I should scream. Run. Freak.

And all I can remember is my dream. “Were you in my dream? Was that real?”

He shrugs. “Most people can’t see unusual beings like me. Oh, they see us physically, but they don’t notice what we truly look like. The mind tries to fit everything into neat boxes, and paranormal creatures break out of them. I’m willing to bet your subconscious has always picked up on my true appearance, and I just appeared in my true form in your dream.”

“You say people can’t see beings like you. Aren’t you a people? I mean, a person? You’re not some animal.”

“No, I’m not an animal. I’m a person, but not all human. I’m in between man and beast, a wulver, like I said. Wolfman, if you’d like.”

I shake my head to clear it. This is the cue to end things, right? Or to seek medical attention, because when you think your fake boyfriend is half-wolf, you’re not firing on all cylinders.

But all I can think of is that Craig is Craig, and hehasbeen hiding something from me.

Something magical—and let’s face it, there are not enough women who look like me in fantasies and fairytales. Maybe the pretty, delicate blonde princesses of the world would run from the wolves.

What if Little Red carried her own axe and wasn’t afraid to use it? What if she grabbed that talking wolf by the muzzle when he told her to take the shortcut and said, “Let’s go back to my place instead?”

My head is spinning, but it’s spinning in one direction—toward Craig.

I stand up and wrap my arms around Craig’s neck, letting him kiss me, marveling that his muzzle turns and locks with my mouth just right. His arms wrap around my thighs as I climb him like a tree. He holds me up and rubs his thick shaft againstmy soaking heat, a happy grunting purr reverberating from his chest into mine.

“You don’t care that I’m like this, Minerva?”

“I care. I need more details. I need to know what else I’m missing that’s right under my nose—but you’ve been there all this time, and I’m not missing you for another second. The wolfman in my dream turned me on. You turn me on. You’re literally my dream guy, and how many women get to make love with the man of their dreams?”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know, I swear it. I promise, the outside never changes the inside. My heart has belonged to you for months. Years. I thought you’d never come to claim it.”

My God. I wouldn’t care if he had the head of a lizard or a mouse at this point. I’m going to husband this boy up if the rest of him is as talented as his tongue. “Well, I’m here now,” I whisper, wriggling pointedly against him.

“You don’t want to wait a bit? Get comfortable with the idea?” he asks, his hands trailing softly up and down my legs as they latch around his waist.

“I’m beyond comfortable with this idea.” I kick my legs down lightly and balance on my toes to pull him with me. Down on the bed, him over me, kissing me.

My hands burrow in the long, thick hair, only now I know it’s fur. The beard? More fur, working its way down his neck and ending in a thick V at his sternum. He’s different from me, different from any other men I’ve seen, but he’s gorgeous. Some enchanted being is in my bed—and he’s in love with me.

“Do you turn back one day?” I ask. Could making love break some spell?”

“No, pet. I was born like this and will always be like this.” He strokes my cheek. “I understand if you don’t want to be with someone like me.”

“I love the way you look,” I say firmly. “It’s not what I was expecting, but it’s beautiful.You’rebeautiful. Handsome.”

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