Page 53 of Lycan and Lark
Lark released a low growl. “Lead the way, Princess.”
* * *
“This is not what I had in mind when you said you wanted to sneak away into the woods.” Lark folded his arms as Aria moved them farther into the forest. Fall would be settling into the mountains soon and the warm summer air was already beginning to turn cool and crisp. “I’m still not sure about this.” Lark stared at the woods around him nervously.
“You will be fine. You have to learn some time, and there’s no time like the present! Now take off your clothes.”
Lark cocked an eyebrow in Aria’s direction. “If you wanted to get me naked all you had to do was ask.”
“You’re stalling. Strip,” she commanded.
Okay so maybe he was stalling. Aria had been urging him to let his wolf out and practice shifting. He and his wolf had a completely new relationship now that he had submitted to an Alpha and been accepted into the pack, but old fears were still clawing their way to the surface.
“Stop worrying. We are just outside the green, so if anything happens we can run back to the complex. I’m right here, and my wolf is dying to meet yours!”
Lark glanced back. He could see the back entrance to the complex. The others were still lounging outside, enjoying their bunch and each other’s company.
“I’ll try.” He stripped off his t-shirt and jeans. Aria beamed at him.
“Just take a few deep breaths, and then ask your wolf to come forward.”
“Sure, easy,” Lark grumbled.
“It will be. Now try.” Aria’s eyes were bright and hopeful.
Lark closed his eyes, reaching for the white wolf inside. Red eyes stared curiously back at him from the recesses of his mind.Okay, let’s take this nice and slow. I promise to let you out, but you have to allow me to be present and agree to switch back when it’s time. Can you do that?
His inner beast didn’t answer right away and Lark’s nerves grew. The white wolf stalked forward, but then laid down on its side, eyes wide. It felt like a yes, and a form of submission. They were off to a good start. He took another deep breath and then let go. The transformation was still painful, but surprisingly fast compared to all the times he had fought the change. His paws hit the ground and he prepared for the worst. But unlike all the other shifts when Lark had been forced into darkness, this time he remained. He looked out through the eyes of his wolf.
“Hello again,” Aria said soothingly as she scratched behind his wolf’s ear. “I missed you.”
Lark’s wolf let out a playful growl and nuzzled into Aria’s palm.
Aria took a step back and undressed. Her shift was quick, clean, and graceful. Lark was in awe of her. A beautiful brown wolf now stood in Aria’s place. Her sapphire eyes peered up at his wolf excitedly. The two animals moved toward each other, sniffing hesitantly at first.
Aria’s wolf moved in, rubbing her neck along Lark’s. His animal melted into the affectionate gesture and let out a happy howl. It looked up then, deciding where it wanted to run to. The feeling of the wolf taking his body and leaving the safety of the complex sent a shot of adrenaline spiking through Lark’s blood. He shifted back, taking control of his body and gasping as he reemerged in human skin.
Aria was quick to shift back as well. “What happened?” she asked, concern etched on her beautiful face.
“I just panicked a little.” Lark was embarrassed. This was all so new to him.
“Don’t be hard on yourself. You did great!” Aria sat on the ground next to him. “And you were able to shift back on your own. I’m certain you’ll be able to do it again. Plus, you’re a part of the pack now. If you ever get stuck in wolf form, Gideon can command you to shift back. So there is nothing to worry about.” She leaned into him, nuzzling his neck.
Lark’s eyes dipped down to Aria’s naked body. “Well it looks like my plans for sneaking off to the woods might still be on the table after all.” He pinned Aria to the ground and she giggled beneath him.
“We are supposed to be practicing shifting, remember?”
“But you said I did so good. Don’t I get a reward? Positive reinforcement, hmm?” He kissed a trail up the side of her neck but stopped when he felt a massive eerie presence enter the area.
“What’s wrong?” asked Aria, sensing a shift in his energy.
Lark turned, focusing his eyes out into the trees. “There’s something in the forest.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
They dressed at record speed and sprinted back to the green. “Gideon!” Aria called out. “Something’s happening.”
Gideon was on his feet and moving toward her instantly. “What is it?”
