Page 27 of Magic Claimed
Alerick flashed an unfathomable look at Jarom, who didn’t look as though he noticed because that dark gaze was trained on me. “What do you think I know?” Jarom said.
I notched my chin. “I think you know this is all a mistake. That you all Changed when you came in contact with me for another reason.”
Jarom dove on me, standing so close his body heat and scent wove about me, sending my equilibrium into a nosedive. “And what reason would that be? If you’re going to come clean, it’s best to tell us now.”
Anger flashed through me, making my eyes narrow on the object of my angst. “What makes you think it’smyfault? You’re the one who didn’t let me go. You’re the one who took me to Alerick and Eike. If you hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be standing here in the middle of the forest waiting to get naked, would we? I’m the one wearing this collar. Maybe Esoti be-spelled it to repel the wolf with an attitude up his ass. Who knows? This is all your fault, soyouwork it out. If you have any theories rattling around in that handsome head of yours, let’s hear it now.” I realized I’d jabbed my finger in the middle of his very hard, very solid chest and that his eyes were glinting dangerously in the moonlight. Oops. I dropped my finger.
Jarom snapped to rigid attention. “wolf with the attitude up his ass?” he growled.
“You heard me. It can’t come as a shock to you,” I said between gritted teeth.
“Jarom, cut her some slack. It’s her first intentional shift, and she’s understandably nervous,” Eike said.
“All I’m saying is that we don’t know her, Alpha,” Jarom said, his gaze never leaving me.
“No, you don’t. Best go with your gut, Jarom. I’m not the mate you want,” I said, hoping I wasn’t layering it on too thick.
“Enough!” Alerick laced his words with Alpha strength and my wolf obeyed; the traitor. I noticed with some satisfaction, Jarom looked contrite. Almost. Asshat.
I crossed my arms about my chest and sweat broke over my body. My wolf writhed inside me, fighting to get out. If I knew how, I’d let her and run to get away from here.
“Come, Little Mate. Let’s get you ready.” Alerick undressed in front of me. So close I could reach out and run my fingers all over those smooth abs of his. My nostrils twitched as oak and cinnamon teased me. My fingers twitched beneath my armpits, where I’d lodged them so I could resist touching that massive, delectable plane of male flesh.
Eike disrobed. Although he was half a head shorter than Alerick, his body was no less impressive. His locks fell halfway down his back, almost to the curve of his rounded backside. Thick, muscular thighs led to calves that looked carved from muscle. And the manhood between his thighs hung long and heavy.
My gaze slid to Alerick. Gold glinted in the moonlight and I realized the end of his cock was tipped with a golden bar piercing. His cock swelled, and I realized I’d been staring at him. I gasped, my gaze flying to him to find his fathomless eyes tangle with mine. I realized he’d stood still. To allow me to look at him. To let me become familiar with his body.
Jarom snickered, and my gaze fell to the grass at my feet, heat flaring across my face. I didn’t need to be caught admiring Alerick and Eike’s cocks. Not by Jarom, at least.
“You’ll have to undress, Little Mate. For the Change,” Alerick’s deep voice sounded so loud in the silence of the forest.
“Is it going to hurt?” When Alerick had forced my Change before, it had been excruciating.
“You might feel uncomfortable for your first intentional shift but the more you Change, the easier it will get,” Eike said.
I nodded. I had to trust them. I really had nothing to gauge what I was attempting to do.
A rustle of clothing to my side and slightly behind me told me Jarom had undressed, but there was no way I was going to look at him. I swallowed the hard lump down my throat. If I undressed, I would be completely vulnerable to them, but if I didn’t, I’d have to walk back naked to the castle. My best option was to undress here. At least one of them was disgusted by me, and Alerick and Eike seemed to hold some morals. I should be safe-ish if I was quick.
I turned away from them and quickly removed my clothing. The thin, ragged dress was my only clothing. I bundled up the dress and shoved it in the branch of a tree so I could retrieve it later.
A skimming touch to my shoulder blade made me yelp and jerk. I looked over my shoulder and wished I hadn’t. I’d forgotten about the scars on my back and all three of the wolves were looking at them. Eike’s face held sadness. He’d been the one to touch me. Alerick’s jaw muscle ticked and there was absolutely nothing on Jarom’s features. I knew they’d seen my scars at the cabin, but now I was wholly cognizant and it was a different matter altogether.
I cleared my throat, keeping my back to them, keeping my posture straight and my eyes ahead. “Can we get on with this, please?”
“Of course. This may be difficult, but I will guide you through every step of the way,” Alerick said smoothly. “Close your eyes and concentrate on the middle of your chest where your wolf resides. See if you can find her.”
I drew in a deep breath and did what he asked. My wolf spun in a circle, happy to have my attention. In my mind’s eye, I saw her. She was beautiful with perfect, long white fur and burning, bright blue eyes. She sat on her haunches and her pink tongue lolled from her mouth as she smiled at me.
This was the part of me I’d been denying. The part I never knew existed. While my human body had been ravaged by Esoti, this one part of me, the part deep inside, was absolutely flawless.
I couldn’t help myself. In my mind, I knelt in front of her and buried my hands in her ruff. The strands were silky soft, and tickled against my skin. She leaned into my touch and rested her head over my shoulder. I tightened my hold around her neck and her fur tickled my cheek. I didn’t think I’d touched anything so luxurious. A wave of peace and rightfulness settled inside me.
A burst of tingly energy splintered through my body and the next thing I knew, I had four feet and the magnified sights and smells of the forest burst over me. Eike knelt before me, twin dimples appearing in his cheeks when he smiled at me. Dimples. So not fair.
He buried his hand in my coat in a similar fashion as I’d touched my wolf. “Can you believe that, Alerick? You didn’t have to tell her what to do.”
I looked up at Alerick’s face and the astonished expression on it, which didn’t seem to be that far up. I glanced at my body. I wasn’t a small wolf. I was massive!
