Page 61 of Corbin
Corbin said, “My wolf is called Ares, by the way, and is very hard to kill.”
Ares said,I keep telling you that.
Ignoring the mouthy beast, Corbin continued giving Eirene instructions. “Our wolves will carry the clothes and shoes. Please ask Pixie to follow my wolf’s lead. Ares is a vicious and deadly fighter. Hopefully, your wolf won’t have to draw any blood, but Ares might need backup or a lookout against two juiced-up shifters.”
Ares said,Hurry.
Corbin ordered, “Time to power run. Follow me as closely as you can.”
She told him, “Go!”
He ran faster than he’d ever moved before because being too slow meant Eirene getting hurt.
Behind him, Eirene dodged to the left around skinny trees. Speaking between choppy breaths, she said, “Pixie does not trust Ares.”
Ares sent Corbin instructions.Tell her wolf to stay out of my way so she doesn’t get me killed.
Assuring Eirene stayed with him, Corbin tried to calm her concern. “My wolf will not harm yours. He wants her to stay back from the battle, so she doesn’t get hurt.”
Ares growled.Lie. Not my words.
Corbin had to nip Ares in the bud right now to save his energy for running then shifting.You said you wanted her wolf back out of the way. You could have meant what I said, so I did not lie. Also, my translation is the only reason her wolf might trust you.
Eirene asked, “Then why have Pixie shift if she can’t help?”
Corbin gave her his reason. “She’ll be able to run faster than you if Ares loses and we can’t run.”
Eirene sputtered, “I won’t—”
Ares shouted in Corbin’s head.Stop and shift now!
Corbin passed that along to Eirene as he skidded to a stop. He had his shoes and shirt off in seconds, then shucked his underwear and jeans, rolling his shoes up in the pants. Eirene moved as quickly, but her fingers shook as she unbuttoned her shirt.
He grabbed the front of her shirt and murmured, “Sorry. I won’t look.” Then he yanked it over her head, spun her around, and unclipped her bra. She squeaked a noise, but pulled the brafree, then stepped out of her casual canvas shoes as she unzipped and shed her shorts.
Her underwear too.
He knew this because she tossed them away.
The snippet of white lace landed at his feet. Damn.
The jerk deep inside him wanted to look, but he wouldn’t do that to her. As soon as he heard the noises of her shifting, he checked to see that she had shorts, a shirt, and shoes ready for her wolf to carry, then called up his own shift.
Ares burst free, shook off the change, then turned to find Eirene’s reddish-golden wolf standing still. Pixie’s eyes bulged with fear.
Corbin told Ares,Go over and give Pixie a gentle nudge so she knows you won’t kill her.
Ares growled at being told what to do.
If you don’t, she may run.Do you want her caught by the Black River wolf pack?Corbin had no idea if that would motivate Ares, but his wolf hated the Black River group after they’d been stuck doing degrading jobs for that pack.
Without a comment, Ares turned around, startling Pixie with his quick movement.
Way to go, Romeo, Corbin complained.
Shut up, human. Ares stepped over and rubbed his much larger snout against her muzzle. She had a sleek build. Next to Ares, who bulged with muscles, she appeared smaller and feminine. Vulnerable.
Not a great attribute for a wolf.
