Therian Prize(78)
He smiled and warmth illuminated his dark-green eyes.
“There is one last thing I need to say.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“If everything goes the way we expect it to, I want Landon’s blood next. I’ve always thought of myself as a wolf and I don’t want to lose that heritage. My father might be an asshole, but I don’t want to completely abandon who I am.”
“Absolutely. I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
“Good.” The last of her apprehension loosened and she sighed.
“Then let’s get started. The sooner you’re defined, the sooner we can go back to bed.”
She laughed. “As if we haven’t spent enough time there already.”
“All right. We can try out the couch instead, but a lot of people have stayed in this house. There’s no telling what went on there.”
“Eww! Thanks for that mental image.” He took her by the hand and headed for the door leading to the basement. “We’re doing this downstairs?”
“You won’t have a lot of control at first. I don’t want you to trash the furniture.”
Each step they descended retied the knots in her belly. She’d dreamed about this day, longing for the freedom yet terrified of the man her father would ultimately choose. Then she’d forced herself to accept Carlos and the situation had gone from bad to worse. By the time they reached the basement she was shaking and her mouth was so dry she could barely swallow.
Jake turned around and pulled her into his arms. “Lower your shields, angel. We’re going to do this together.”
She buried her face in his throat and inhaled his scent, letting his familiar smell surround her. It took a moment for her to calm down enough to open her mind to him. Then his fiery strength flowed into her and melted her inhibitions. She felt secure within his arms, protected and safe. She took a deep breath and lifted her head.
“I’m ready.”
He kept one of his arms around her waist and caressed her face with his other hand. “I’m honored that you chose me as your first.”
She chuckled and turned her head, biting the heel of his hand. “You make me sound like a virgin.”
“This will be more intense than losing your virginity.” He paused and blanketed her mind with encouragement and energy. “But you’re safe with me. I won’t let anything harm you.”
Her skin tingled and the room swelled then contracted. She blinked, trying to focus through the dizziness. Blood seemed to rush through her ears, sounding almost like the wind. Had he started the ritual or was she reacting to the injection?
“It will feel natural to resist but don’t fight it. The more you struggle, the more painful this will be.” He began a rhythmic chant under his breath and her vertigo intensified. He guided her to her knees and knelt as well, still facing her. “Your body knows what to do. Surrender to your Therian self.”
He released his tiger just enough to transform his teeth then pricked the pad of his thumb. Blood beaded on his skin and he quickly pressed his thumb against her lips. She parted for him, gently sucking as she waited for a sickening gush. A faint metallic taste was all she received.
Jake chuckled and pulled his thumb out of her mouth. “We’re not vampires. It only takes a few drops to trigger the change.”
She leaned against him, accepting the support of his strong arms. The room gradually stopped spinning and the rushing in her ears faded to silence. Darkness closed in all around her until she saw nothing, felt nothing. She hung suspended in blackness, surrounded by the vast emptiness of time and space.
Am I dead?
As if to answer her question a wild surge of power shot out from deep within her chest. Every muscle in her body flexed and her body arched. Then she sensed her animal self, stretching, stirring, awakening as never before. For just a moment she recognized her ancestral wolf, the blood of long-dead generations. The spirit that had saved her twice.
Thank you. She had no way of knowing if the animal would understand but she had to try to communicate her appreciation.
The wolf lowered its head and she sensed acceptance and encouragement.
Suddenly a tigress surged past the wolf, not suppressing or devouring the other animal, just becoming much more powerful.
With ruthless focus the tigress shredded its metaphysical confinement and rocketed toward the surface. Heather braced for impact, knowing pain was inevitable.
Don’t tense up, love. Let it come. Give yourself over to your tigress.
She tried to relax, tried not to fight the change, but survival instincts were strong. Energy hit her first, blasting through her with excruciating intensity. She soared for a moment, sailing along until pain burned away her good intentions. She screamed and turned like a salmon struggling against the overwhelming current.