Page 22 of Wolf's Midlife Bite

Though her wolf muscles felt strong, and she was operating on four legs instead of two, Robin hadn’t quite gained her balance. She took a step and then stumbled, falling right into his flank.

You’re like a really big puppy right now.

She heard the humor in his voice.Easy for you to say, I guess.Robin twitched her claws in the grass, trying to stabilize herself as she studied him. He was quite the specimen as a man, but she couldn’t deny his beauty as a wolf. His fur was about the same shade as hers, with lighter and darker bits mottled in. She’d never been this close to a wolf before, not even at the zoo.Damn, he’s even more gorgeous than I am.

Thank you.

Embarrassment felt different in this form. Instead of burning cheeks, she felt her tail try to tuck between her legs. She marveled at even having a tail, but she didn’t understand.I didn’t say that out loud, did I?

Brody turned to face her, a hint of that deep hazel still lingering in his eyes.Think about it, Robin. You haven’t said anything out loud. It’s all in your mind. We communicate telepathically.

No.

Try me,he challenged.Think about what you had for lunch today.

That was easy enough. She’d packed a tuna salad sandwich with whole wheat bread and a small container of baby carrots. Her stomach hadn’t particularly wanted it at the moment, but she’d forced it down because she’d known she needed any energy she could get.

I’m not much of a fan of tuna salad, myself.

Robin took a step back.You can just hear anything I say?

Not exactly. You’ll be able to refine that as time goes on, only sharing the thoughts you want to.

But why?she insisted, wanting to truly understand this instead of just accepting it.Why can we do this at all?

He cocked his head a little.Basically, you’re an honorary member of my pack.He turned and began walking out into the night.

Robin followed, tripping over herself every few steps as she tried to figure out how to coordinate four legs. Dogs and cats made it look so damn easy, and she resented them at the moment. The claws on her back paws scraped against the backs of her front legs, and her front and hind ends weren’t in agreement as to exactly where and how they should be moving.Pack?

Sort of like a big, extended family. We take care of each other, in good times and in bad. We’re led by an Alpha, someone who’s sort of like a father figure for everyone else, regardless of age. In our pack, that happens to be my brother.

Robin tripped again and fell forward, her chin crashing like a downed airplane into the grass.I don’t think I can walk and talk yet.

That’s all right. You’ll get a better chance to get your wolf legs as we start sparring.

Sparring?Robin clambered to her feet, sure that she hadn’t heard him correctly.You want to fight me?

We have to, so you know how to use that new body of yours. Like I said, I want to make sure that you’re safe. But we’re just going to start with a few different moves. Get all your feet under you.

She let out a huff.They are, thank you very much.

Brody put his broad side toward her.Good. Tuck your head down, a little to the side. Run at me, and ram me with your shoulder.

What?

Aim for right about here.He pressed his muzzle near her flank.

Robin jerked away.That tickles!

It won’t tickle me if you do it right.

She didn’t yet know how to read his eyes, but she didn’t miss the innuendo.I guess we’ll just have to find out.

Once again, Brody set himself up with his broad side toward her. Robin had no idea how much good this was actually going to do, but she’d already come this far. Hoping she could keep her feet moving correctly, she put her head down and barreled toward him. Her shoulder slammed into the side of his body. Brody barely moved, and she went bouncing to the ground.

You could’ve at least made me feel like I was doing it right.She picked herself up, wondering just how she would get the dirt out of her fur later or if she was even supposed to worry about that.

Brody turned to her.You did. You’re just not strong enough yet. If you can get one of those in on someone who doesn’t expect it, you can knock their back legs out from under them. You just have to be ready for the retaliation that’s going to come next.

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