Page 14 of Falling for My Shifter Boss

"Since when does he join pack runs?" Olivia whispers.

"He doesn't," I whisper back, trying to ignore the way my wolf stirs at his presence.

Theo rolls his shoulders, breaking the tension. "Alright, let's run!"

There's a rustle of fabric as everyone quickly strips, leaving piles of clothes scattered across the clearing. I slip behind a tree to remove my own clothes, folding them neatly on a low branch—a habit my mother drilled into me since childhood.

When I step back into the clearing, the shift is already rippling through the pack. Bones crack, muscles stretch, and fur erupts as my packmates shed their human forms. The air fills with the sound of paws hitting earth, bodies vibrating with the primal need to move.

I let my own change take me, the shift rolling over me in a familiar wave of heat and pressure. When I land on all fours, my wolf surges forward, eager and free.

From the corner of my eye, I see Adrian step away from where he's placed his clothes. And then he shifts.

A collective pause sweeps through the pack. His wolf is massive—bigger than any of ours. His fur is a striking pale gray, almost silver under the moonlight, and his presence commands attention. He's a predator, a true alpha, and even the most dominant wolves in my pack hesitate at the sight of him.

I don't.

I step forward, my sleek, dark wolf locking eyes with his. His storm-gray gaze holds mine, and something passes between us—a challenge, an invitation, a promise. My wolf responds instinctively, drawn to his power even as my human side rebels against the pull.

Theo howls, signaling the start of the run, and the pack surges forward. I launch myself into the forest, my paws barely touching the ground. The world blurs into streaks of moonlight and shadow.

And then he's there, running beside me. Not too close, but close enough that I can feel the power radiating from him, can sense the way his movements mirror mine. It's too natural, too right—this synchronicity between us.

I push myself faster, trying to outrun both him and the dangerous thoughts crowding my mind. But I can feel his presence behind me, steady and unwavering, like a shadow I can't shake.

Like a destiny I can't escape.

We run together.

The forest blurs around me as I dart between trees, my paws barely touching the ground. Behind me, Adrian's wolf keeps pace—not chasing exactly, but dancing with me through the shadows. The night air rushes through my fur, carrying his scent: sandalwood and storms. My wolf thrills at it, at him, at this game we're playing.

I leap over a fallen log, twisting mid-air to snap playfully at his muzzle. His answering growl is deep, amused, sending shivers down my spine. For someone so controlled in human form, his wolf moves with fluid grace, powerful muscles rippling beneath dark fur.

We weave through the trees, our bodies falling into perfect sync. Sometimes I lead, sometimes he does, but always we move as one. The moon bathes the forest in silver light, and my heart pounds with something more than exertion. He's so close I can feel the heat of him, his presence both thrilling and terrifying.

My wolf yearns to get closer, to nip at his ear, to feel his fur brush against mine. The urge is so strong it makes me dizzy.

Breaking away from our usual running path, I follow my instincts toward a quieter part of the forest. The sounds of the pack fade behind us. I don't check to see if he follows—I can feel him, like a shadow connected to my soul.

The clearing appears ahead, bathed in moonlight. I slow, turning to face him as he emerges from the trees. His wolf is magnificent—larger than mine, with storm-gray eyes that pierce through the darkness. He circles me slowly, deliberately, his movements pure predator. But there's something else there too, something that makes my breath catch.

I dance away when he gets too close, my tail swishing teasingly. He lunges, quick but gentle, and we tumble together in the grass. His wolf pins mine, careful not to hurt, and the rumble in his chest isn't threatening—it's possessive, wanting.

The energy between us shifts, electric and inevitable. My wolf recognizes what's happening before I do, and suddenly I'm shifting back, my human form replacing fur and claws. Adrian freezes, his wolf's eyes widening before he too gives in, his transformation smooth and controlled.

We stand facing each other in the clearing, our breaths heavy in the night air. Moonlight plays across his bare chest, highlighting the tension in his muscles. His eyes are still wolf-wild, fixed on me with an intensity that makes me shiver.

"You ran with me," I say softly, taking a step closer.

His jaw tightens. "I told myself I wouldn't."

Another step. I'm close enough now to see the flecks of silver in his eyes, to feel the heat radiating from his skin. "Then why did you?"

His hand lifts slowly, hesitating for a heartbeat before his fingers brush my jaw. The touch is impossibly gentle, at odds with his usual stern demeanor. A tremor runs through him.

"Because," he says, his voice rough with emotion, "I've been fighting this since the moment I met you. Fighting us. And I'm tired of fighting."

My chest tightens. "You know what this is. What we are."

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