Page 19 of Operation Wolf: Eli
“If I’m shot, the bullet hole will close up within the hour unless I’m starved and I don’t have any access to meat. I can’t really get sick anymore, and alcohol and drugs don’t work on me. I’m faster and stronger, and as you can see, I can call on my inner beast when needed. But, yes, I can still be killed.”
“So, you’re in control most of the time?” I asked, needing to know the answer to this question. “Like, your beast won’t unexpectedly come out and want to hurt me?”
Eli chuckled, and this time, the sound was genuine. “No. The only time my beast assumes control is during the full moon when I’m forced to change, and even then, I’m in the background, and I can somewhat control it. Besides, my animal likes you . . . a lot.” He paused for a moment. “So, please don’t be afraid of me.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry I acted the way I did earlier, but this just seems so . . . unbelievable.” It wasn’t my proudest moment when I had gone all bitch-mode and rebuffed him.
Eli nodded, smiling a little. “I know, and don’t be sorry. You’re actually taking it all rather well.” He chuckled again, his eyes brightening.
“Can you change for me again?” I blurted.
“What?”
“I want to see you change again,” I confessed. “I think if I see it while you’re not trying to kill anyone, maybe I’ll get used to it and not be so frightened the next time it happens.”
“I try not to make a habit of changing and killing people,” Eli said gruffly. “And what if someone busts in here?”
I gestured to the large private space. “There’s a huge metal door preventing anyone from seeing or getting in here, and those thick-ass drapes can be closed.”
He scowled. “Okay, I guess it’s likely that I’ll have to do it again before this is all over. So, yes, I’ll do it for you.”
I sat back, holding my breath in anticipation. Eli stood up and double-checked that the floor-to-ceiling metal door was locked. Then he stormed over to the windows and drew the drapes closed. Now, we were in complete privacy.
He sat down and rolled his neck and shoulders. “Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered, my eyes wide. “Show me your beast.”
He nodded and closed his eyes. I suddenly heard a popping sound and then gasped as fur sprouted along Eli’s face and arms. His fingernails elongated into claws, his jaw stretched to accommodate lengthening teeth, and then his eyelids popped open, revealing gold eyes with brown irises and black pupils that weren’t quite like a cat but definitely more oval than round.
“Your eyes,” I breathed, leaning forward and abruptly forgetting about the razor-sharp teeth and claws that hovered inches from my face. “They’re beautiful.”
A low growl issued from his throat, and I jumped back, but Eli made no move toward me. Looking into his eyes again, I had the peculiar feeling it wasn’t Eli who stared at me, but someone else entirely, someone majestic and powerful. A force of nature to be reckoned with.
I needed to feel his features underneath my fingers. “Can I touch you?” I inquired, tentatively reaching a hand out.
Eli inclined his head, and I placed my hand against his jawline, sifting my fingers through the brown fur there. It was soft and silky, which surprised me. I’d thought it would feel more like a beard, coarse and rough and scratchy. Another growl issued from Eli’s throat, and I tensed. But it continued on, and I realized it wasn’t really a growl but more like a deep purr.
“Do you like that?” I asked with a smile, scratching him with my fingers like I would the underside of a cat’s jaw.
The purring increased, and I couldn’t help but giggle at the absurdity of the situation. Here I was, scratching a half man, half wolf like he was some kind of pet.
Abruptly, the fangs and fur were gone, and it was Eli again, his eyes blue once more, but soft, like forget-me-nots basking in the summer sun. “I’ve never felt him so calm before,” he said softly, wonder in his voice. “My wolf really does like you.”
“He’s pretty likable himself,” I answered, realizing I meant the words. Once I’d gotten used to Eli’s wolf, I’d felt no fear but rather a sort of strange kinship with him.
Eli chuckled quietly. “That’s not what most people would say,” he said.
I frowned at the odd note in his voice. It sounded as if he were in pain . . . the pain of rejection, I realized.
And why wouldn’t he be? If I woke up one day and found that I wasn’t human anymore, wouldn’t I, too, be hurt if people began to fear or hate me?
I imagined it would be tough for him to get close to anyone, especially a woman. And he was right to be afraid of being snubbed. I, myself, had reacted badly to the knowledge, and I’d grown up with him my whole life.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, feeling ashamed. “I’m sure I made you feel horrible. Forgive me.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” he murmured, his breath warm on my face.
His lips were only inches from mine.
