Bite, My Love (28 page)

The power
within gathers, and my chest starts to rise and fall steeply. I
feel like a necromancer, communing with the ghost of Mother Nature,
allowing my wolf spirit to overwhelm my hold on the physical world
and transform me a bundle of crackling energy.

How I
long for this. How many times have I grasped my wolf these last few
days only to have her yanked away from me, our earthy union denied?
Never again.

The
quickening has me shaking with happiness. My eyes burn and glow.
The pupils dilate then contract into slits. I’m not afraid. This
new change is from the Vampire blood singing in my veins. I embrace
its darkling melody, the cursed blood transforming into something
new inside me. Tears of joy blur my vision as the familiar rush of
heat races over my skin, scorching a trail of fire through my
nerves.

Golden
hued, a nimbus of energy is sucked from the ground. It’s old magic
that halos me. It sinks into my pores and sparks the change.
Tightens. Like the strike of a match, that moment of conflagration
when the fundamental composition of my body transforms on a
cellular level is a hard jolt whipping my head back.

I’m not
sure if it’s from fear one of his family will turn to watch me, or
if the tendrils of my power have given him a nudge, but suddenly,
Daniel’s fingers fly over the piano keys. The fallen seraph shares
his celestial melody, bestowing dark blessings upon us all. The
music blends with the crashing waves and the weeping breeze. A wild
composition that en spells my senses and sets my heart soaring.
It’s primal and bold, a gothic tribute to us who are
damned.

The shift
rolls over me smoothly. The discomfort is fleeting. My limbs
shorten and sprout lush russet fur. Nose lengthening, my chin
recedes. My new jaw is heavily muscled and filled with sharp white
fangs, and my lolling tongue tastes the salt in the air. I crouch,
wincing as my organs realign, and when my hands touch the ground
they’re paws with silky pink pads. My spine lengthens until I can
waggle my new limb.

Blinking
rapidly, adjusting to the dimensions of my new sight, I stretch
languorously. My ears, now pointed and attuned to the slightest of
sounds, perk up at the music.

Daniel
smiles jubilantly, the worry easing from his stormy
eyes.

I pad
over to him, wanting to laugh at the gasps of surprise from the
Vampires, but instead make a wolfish chuffing sound. I pause when I
reach Lee, rubbing my flank along her hip. She curls her fingers
into the hair below my ear and rubs sweetly.

Ben
places a hand on my head briefly, holding it there.

Moving
away from them with a happy bark, I run a circle around Adam – who
laughs boomingly – and I bump my head into the back of Iain’s leg,
nearly giving myself a concussion.

My claws
scratch the stone as I leap onto the wall behind my mate’s head.
Standing proud, my head held high, I fix my eyes on the land I used
to call home.

The winds
tug at the ruff of fur on the crown of my head.

Throwing
my head back, bursting with emotion, I howl with the force of
feeling driven from the soul. The impassioned cry bursts into the
night. It sets off the wolves in the forest, renewing their
haunting calls tenfold.

I need to
run. Hunt. Tear my claws and fangs into something with a beating
heart.

The music
stops.

Daniel
tugs his shirt over his head and toes off his shoes. Without a
word, he rests a hand on the stonewall and vaults over.

Whining,
my muzzle dips as my eyes follow him down.

He lands
light as a feather on the grass below. Taking off, he’s halfway
across the field, heading south, before stopping and turning back
to face me.

He laughs into my mind.
‘Will you
not hunt with me?’

With a
gruff bark, I launch myself towards the door and race down the
winding staircase. The thuds of my charging paws echo through
Castle. I hurtle through the corridors, leaning into the corners
when I have to turn, and accelerate when I dash across the landing.
Shooting through the main hall, my paw clips something. Oops. Hope
Ben and Lee weren’t fond of that vase. I hit the brakes. My front
paws scramble as my butt drops. The front door blocks my way.
Growling, I scratch its base in irritation. Too hyped to
contemplate waiting for Daniel to realise I’m stuck here, I bark to
get a Vampire down here.

Panting,
I drag my claws over the door with renewed vigour, excited to be so
close to freedom.

There’s a
chilly gust of air as someone arrives at my side. My nose prickles
at the scent of the familiar male. I tip my head back to stare at
him imploringly, looking suitably abashed to be caught pawing at
the antique door.

“
Seventeenth century doors. Craftsmanship which the world will
never again see the like.” Ben groans as he yanks one side of the
barrier ajar. “Sister-mine, I’ll never be able to buff those
out.”

I slip
out, yapping my thanks.

Ben’s
warning is soft. “Be careful. Remember you are watched.”

The
cooler night air is refreshing. I sprint over the soft earth,
parting the tall grass until I reach my goal.

I speed
up and throw myself at Daniel.

The
widest grin brightening his face, he evades the lunge, but drops to
his knees and opens his arms.

Seeing
him so ready to accept me in my wolf form touches me. A new need
engulfs the desire to hunt. I lower onto my belly and crawl
forward. A few paces away, I roll onto my back, limbs kicking
playfully.

It’s like
exhaling, or releasing built up tension by shaking yourself all
over. I release the wolf and suppress her instinct, allowing my
Human self to resurface. The invigorating power thrumming over my
skin dissipates. It sinks back into the earth to once again be
absorbed by a mystic wonder I’ll never fully understand, but am
thankful to be a part of.

My wolf
form melts until I’m left hot, achy, and indubitably
Human.

A cool
hand grabs my wrist and pulls. Daniel rolls me onto him, and my
knees straddle his lean hips. Hands resting on his chest, I rub the
twin ridges of bone high on his chest. The body of my hair tumbles
forward and forms a protective blanket around our heads.

“
Why were you scared when I turned wolf? Afraid I’d look like
an ugly dog?”

“
Your wolf is magnificent. I was merely concerned for the
health of my family. The shift won’t harm the babe?”

Satisfied
he’s not hiding disgust, I wiggle my hips, not wanting to talk
anymore. “I won’t be able to shift soon. My body won’t allow it
when it becomes a danger.”

Daniel
cups my face and stares into my eyes, searching for something as
his thumbs rub my cheeks. “What are you thinking?”

“
That I’m yours.” I pause. My fingers dance over his stomach
mischievously. “You can look inside my mind whenever you want, you
know.”

“
Oh?”

“
Yours completely, so yeah, you can look.”

The
strangest of expressions passes over his face. I inhale sharply,
and grab his shoulders when inky black slithers behind the vivid
blue.

Swallowing hard, I press my forehead to his,
accepting.

“
Beloved angel,” he murmurs.

He sweeps
my hair over my shoulder, and tilts my head to bear my throat.
Berry red lips press the softest of kisses to my jumping pulse. He
sinks fang into my flesh, lips searing my skin, branding me as
his.

Lord,
forgive the one fallen under the spell of this tormented man.
Mother moon, please light our night, evermore.

***

NOTE FROM
PENELOPE

Thank you for reading this
novel.

Adam the Barbarian’s
story,
BLOOD
BRIDE
is
coming 2013.

***

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COMING SOON

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