Page 55 of Jace's Mate
She wasn’t standing.She wasn’t even kneeling.
She was crouched low to the earth onfourpaws.
The rich scent of the forest hit her like a wave—moss and wet soil and pine needles, damp bark and the sharp tang of fur.Herfur.She could feel it—thick, warm, protective—shifting as her muscles twitched.
The dirt beneath her paws was soft and damp, and it felt...good.Right.She stepped forward hesitantly and stared at the ground.Her paw was large.Darker than the rest of her fur.She could see her claws, sharp and curved.She tried lifting her other paw—then both.Her muscles responded instinctively.
A shudder rolled through her new form.She shook herself, and the fur along her back fluffed out, catching the cool air.
Good grief… the sensations were fabulous!
She wanted to weep.
The air felt like silk sliding over her body.She could feel the space around her.The vibration of sound.The scent of every pine needle.She could feel Jace’s presence without even seeing him.She could feel the forest breathing.
Anikka let out a high, sharp yip before she could stop herself.Her mouth felt strange—longer.Her tongue flopped awkwardly, and her sharp teeth pressed against it in a way that startled her.She licked the air.
And loved it.
She looked over her shoulder and saw her fur—a thick coat of warm gold and cream that rippled as she moved.Her tail wagged once, a clumsy little flick that made her snort… and want to catch it!
And then shejumped—straight up like a spring released—then danced sideways, her body clumsy butthrilled.Her paws scrabbled against the earth.She let out another strange bark-laugh that surprised even her.
A low chuckle echoed nearby.She turned her head and found Jace watching her, his arms folded, a smile on his face that made her heart leap.
She froze.Was he laughing at her?Were they all laughing?
She dropped her head and crouched lower, suddenly self-conscious.
Jace stepped forward slowly and crouched beside her, his voice low and warm.“It’s okay, Anikka.”
He reached out and stroked her head gently.
Oh God.It feltso good.She leaned into the touch instinctively, her eyes fluttering shut.His fingers scratched behind her ears and she swore she nearly collapsed in bliss.
“They’re not laughingatyou,” he said softly, running his fingers down her neck.“They’re happyforyou.This is your first shift.They all remember what that felt like and they’re proud to have shared this moment with you.”
She opened her eyes and looked around.The wolves were no longer watching in still silence.They were wagging tails.Soft yips.Heads tilted in curiosity and welcome.
And then—Jace began to undress.
Oh no!Should she look away?Should she pretend she wasn’t interested?Thoughts skittered and…!
Oh yes.
His hands moved to the buttons of his shirt, and Anikka could not—would not—look away.Her wolf heart gave a sharp stutter.
One button.Two.The shirt slid off, revealing the thick ropes of muscle over his chest and shoulders.His skin gleamed in the moonlight, every line and groove a tribute to power and dominance.
Her ears perked forward.Her tail flicked once—twice.
When he moved to unbuckle his belt, her gaze snapped to his face.He caught her watching andsmirked.That cocky, infuriating, heart-melting smirk.
With slow, practiced ease, he stepped out of his pants.
And there it was.
She blinked.Her tongue slipped from her mouth.She licked her snout instinctively and then caught herself.
