Hers to Take(25)

"You said yourself that we are all alone up here and I think it'll be good for you to run in the light." He stood and offered her a hand up. "Besides, I want to see you without the shade of night."

Kira's body trembled and she swallowed hard. "Okay," she said before she could change her mind. She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet easily before immediately leading her away from the ledge and toward the protection of the trees.

They didn't speak while they stripped their clothes off. Kira folded hers into a neat stack; Nash tossed his into a pile next to hers and then they were naked. Any other time, she would have relished the fact that Nash and his lean, muscular, completely perfect body stood only a few feet away from her own nakedness. But she was too focused on what was about to happen. 

You can do this, Kira. Just shut off your thoughts. Right. She could do that. She could shift and not think about her brothers or home or anything. Why not? Of course she could do that. She'd just focus on the feeling of being in her bear and running through the woods. And Nash. She could focus on the wolf. She'd never run with a wolf before. Not even close.

Kira nodded and smile to herself, feeling dramatically better. "Why didn't I think of that before?" she muttered to herself, feeling foolish for her earlier nerves.

Nash gave her a sidelong glance but thankfully didn't press her. He knew she was preoccupied with a host of different thoughts. "Ready?"

She nodded.

His mouth slipped into his super sexy signature smile. A flash of desire ripped through her the way it always did, but she didn't have time to process it because a second later, Nash leapt into the air.

The transformation was dramatic and beautiful as his long, lean body stretched forward into the air. The most magnificent wolf Kira had ever seen hit the ground. He took a few steps upon landing. His black fur, streaked with silver and gray, shimmered in the sun and Kira was thankful for the daylight so she could admire it. She stood for a moment, dumbfounded at the beauty in front of her before his large head swung around. Nash's familiar gray eyes watched her.

Nash twitched his head, beckoning her. He took a few more steps and turned to wait. And watch.

A shiver ripped through her. Kira closed her eyes, swallowed hard and started to run.



Watching Kira shift into her true form was the sexiest thing Nash had ever seen. She was magnificent in her bear. A beautiful, dark grizzly, she looked incredibly fierce when she hit the ground running.

And she was running. Into the trees and away from him.

Nash chuckled and shook his heavy head before he pursued her.

The shift would be a difficult one for Kira, especially considering it had been so long since the last time she was in her animal form. It would be exhausting and there was no telling how long she'd be able to stay in her bear. Nash wasn't positive that it was the same as it was for him, but it had to be similar. Shifting was like a muscle. The more you used it, the easier it got. And likewise, if you went too long denying your true self, it took awhile to build up your stamina again.

That being said, Kira didn't seem to have any trouble at the moment. She was moving quickly, but Nash was strong, too, and caught up with her seconds later.

How does it feel?

As if in response, Kira tipped back her head and let out a mighty roar that shook the earth, before she slowed her pace. Nash slowed with her, and howled his happiness in return because it felt damned good to feel his muscles stretch and pull. But mostly it felt amazing to be side by side with Kira who, after way too long, was embracing her true self. That felt friggin' fantastic.

Their pace slowed, and finally stopped as they made their way into a clearing where a family of deer enjoyed an evening meal. Their ears flicked toward the two predators, and a flash later they were gone.

Kira sat hard on her haunches and started to laugh. Nash looked from her to where the deer had taken off and, realizing what she was likely laughing at, joined in. There was no doubt that for the deer, seeing a wolf and grizzly together must look like a nightmare come to life.

The laughter quickly faded as he was struck once again by how majestic she was.

He dipped his head and looked away, overwhelmed with feelings he'd never felt before.

Nash.

He'd heard her say his name. But not with her voice. It was different. He'd never been able to communicate in his wolf form before.




 

 

Ever.

It was only hearing his name that Nash realized she'd heard him earlier too when he'd wondered how she felt while running.

Damn. What was happening?

He lifted his head and looked into her deep eyes, widened with as much surprise and wonderment as he felt.

Kira.

He had to know, even though he couldn't properly express what it was.