Freeing A Lion: BBW Paranormal Lion Shape Shifter Romance (Sleeping Lions - Shifters Prime Book 2) (10 page)

Lottie lifted her head and roared, telling the world she was here, and then quickly clamped her mouth shut. Did she even want the world to know she was here?

“Don't worry, Lottie, you are almost top of the food chain over on this side of the border. And anyway, no one attacks any other animal. Lance told me it is the law now.”

She watched his face as a wave of pain slipped over it, and she took a step forward, wanting to comfort him. Instead she fell over, landing heavily on her side.

He rushed forward, stroking her shoulder with his hand, soothing her. “It’s OK. You just need some practice. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to.” He put his arms under her and lifted her up. She tried her best, and eventually stood, legs splayed like a new-born foal, trying to figure out how to coordinate four legs and a tail.

“One foot forward, then this one follows,” he said, lifting her back leg and placing it down. “Now the same the other side.”

She did as he told her to. Taking her time, getting the hang of it and trying not to get angry when she nearly collapsed, because that made her tail swish, which made her overbalance.

“You’re getting it,” he said excitedly. “Now I’m going to change and we’re going to go further, and then faster. Just relax, try not to think too much. Let your lioness take charge.”

She shook her head, wanting him to know she was afraid of letting her lioness take charge, because she might not want to let the human Lottie come back. But he just stroked her fur and said, “It will be OK.”

And she had to believe him, and so she let the tight grip she had on her lioness go, and everything became so much easier. Her body was fluid in its movements, her thoughts different, the predator taking over, letting her see the world differently, smell the world differently, and Lottie found it exciting and her joy of life returned.

Beside her, a good foot or two taller, stood Daniel, his lion impressive: big paws, strong teeth, and a thick, luxurious mane. What female wouldn't want him as her mate? And with a playful nip to his legs, she took off across the grassland wanting him to chase her, and despite a few wobbly moments, she managed to keep herself upright as the game began.

She ran in front of him, all gangly legs and swishing tail as she tried to keep her balance. He could have overtaken her and disappeared into the distance, but he didn’t want to, he didn’t want to crush her confidence. Anyway, the view was much more fun from here.

She turned around in a big circle, a challenge at first, but slowly she began to get the hang of it and he could see her looking more like a lion. Lottie was learning to let go and trust her other side, just as he had learned to let go and trust her. Once this was over, he wanted to sit down with her and discuss where they went from here; they couldn’t stay with Daphne and Lance forever. And anyway, he wanted to explore further into the Prime.

Who was he kidding? He wanted to put as much distance as possible between them and the border. Even when he was asleep, his lion kept guard, they were both acutely aware of how close to the border they were, and that they didn’t know what dangers might cross into Shifters Prime. It would be easy for someone to come looking for Lottie, wanting to finish the job of hurting her. Wanting to finish her.

Those thoughts were in his mind most of the time, even now when he was cavorting across the grasslands with his mate.

Daniel’s lion was having fun, too much fun: he ran, rolled into the grass, stretching his giant paws, before turning onto his back to give it a good itch and stare up at the blue sky, the sun shining down on him, warming his belly. A hungry belly.

He turned back over and stood up, giving himself a shake. It was time to go and get some food. But first he had to get Lottie to change back into her lovely human figure. Not that he didn’t like the lioness, but a naked Lottie—well, what could be better?

His lion nudged him, not agreeing: that was one sexy female lion, with her long legs, soft fur that he could lay his head on …
enough
, Daniel said sternly.
We need to make sure she is safe and can control the change
. His lion reluctantly agreed.

She was coming towards him, her tongue lolling out. She was thirsty and looked exhausted. He waited patiently for her to reach him, and then turned to lead her back to where they had left their clothes. Slowing he let her walk by the side of him, their fur touching as they walked. Lottie pressed closer to him, rubbing her head in his mane. He turned, licking her face reassuringly.

They made it back to where they had left their clothes, and he went first, turning back into a man, his two feet replacing his four paws. Grabbing his clothes, he dressed quickly, giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts and to try to break down exactly how he could explain to her what she had to do. It needed to be step by step, or would she be able to do it by instinct?

“Ready?” he asked. She nodded. “OK. You have to think of your human body, feel the human in you and allow her to come out just as your lion wanted to come out. Think you can try that?”

She didn’t answer; she just stood still, looking at the ground. Daniel allowed her the time and space she needed, not wanting to push her or put any pressure on her at all. Then she moved, very slowly, circling her head, as if trying to release some tension. Then a frown settled over her furry face, and he knew she was trying to turn.

Daniel held his breath. Would she be able to do it?

Slowly, and, he guessed, painfully, she began to shift, her backbone straightening, her whole body becoming smooth, and the curvy figure of Lottie emerged as if by magic.

Stumbling forward, she felt to the ground. He was too late to save her, but when he reached her he immediately dragged her into his arms. “You did it,” he said, rocking her over and over. “You controlled it.”

“I did,” she said, sounding elated. “Thank you.”

“For what? Making you a freak?” he asked, but he wasn’t bitter.

“I like being a freak,” she said. “That was something else. I mean running, so wild and free. She could smell so much more than I can. See things differently.”

He stood up, hooking his arm under her elbow to help her stand next to him. “You know, we could leave now. Travel like lions.”

She laughed. “I will slow you down.”

“We have all the time in the world. I can get some work as we go.” He picked her clothes up and handed them to her. “I would rather you walked naked, but I don’t want to draw too much attention to us.”

She took them and began to undress. He noticed the way her hands shook and helped her as much as he could. It was so strange to want to help her, to want to make things easier for her when they had only just met and were still strangers.

“Aren’t we going to your family?” she asked, as they were walking back towards the car, hand in hand.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” He looked at the sky, breathing in the warm air. “I can’t remember them. And I don’t know if it’s safe. We have run from one bad situation; I don’t want to walk into another.”

“Have you asked Lance and Daphne? About your Pride?”

“No. And I don’t intend to,” he said.

“Why not?” Lottie asked.

He thought for a moment, trying to put it into words. And when he did, they were words he would never share with another person but Lottie. “I’m scared.”

“A big, brave lion like you?” she teased, but then she moved to stand in front of him, her hands cupping his face. “I understand how you feel. But I tried to run, tried to hide and forget what had happened. It catches up with you. So I think we should go there, the three of us, because Lea is owed an explanation, or at least closure on this.”

“What if she gets hurt, or what if you get hurt?” His heart ached, past failures piercing it. “I should have protected Lea from Trevor, but I didn’t.”

“That’s not your fault. And anyway, you have me now.”

He laughed. “If you can stay on four feet.”

Lottie nudged him in the ribs. “Well then, you have until we reach your pride to teach me how to be a proper lioness and how to fight.”

“Deal,” he said. Although he wasn’t sure about the fighting.

“So that means we’re going?” she asked hopefully.

“Only because I will never hear the end of it otherwise,” he said, sounding weary.

She slid her body next to his, her hands going around his neck. “I’m yours, and if you choose not to go, I will understand.”

“I know,” he bent his head and kissed her. “Now let’s go eat. We can leave tomorrow.”

“You all take care and if you ever need a place to stay, you know where we are,” Daphne said, pulling Lea into a tight embrace. “I’m going to miss having you around, young lady.”

“I’m going to miss you too,” Lea said, her voice choked with tears.

“Well, you enjoy those brownies we made. And maybe when you make them again you’ll think of me,” Daphne said.

“I will,” Lea said, going to Daniel and hugging him closely as they prepared to leave.

“Thank you for taking us in,” Lottie said. “Thank you for helping me with … well, you know what with.”

“You’ll make a fine lioness,” Daphne hugged her close and whispered, “And a fine mother to the poor wee child.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Lottie said. She had seen the way Daphne was with Lea, mothering her, comforting her, and helping her with everything.

“It takes practice. You’ll do fine, now away with you before I start crying again.”

“Goodbye,” Daniel said, and Lance came over to shake his hand.

“No one can say we’re not civil here,” Lance said, taking Daniel’s hand, and then laughed, pulling Daniel into a manly hug. “Look after these two ladies.”

“I will do my best,” Daniel said, and held out his hand for Lottie to take. “Thank you so much for the provisions. And the directions.”

“No problem, I’d lend you my car, but I need it,” Lance said.

“Don’t worry. Once we get to the open plains, we’ll shift and run like lions,” Daniel said.

Lottie liked the sound of that. Lottie had been practicing shifting into her lion as much as possible, and the thought of trekking across a large tract of land on four paws appealed to her.

“I’m going to miss them,” Lea said, turning around and waving as they walked away. “I’d forgotten what it was like to live in a proper house.”

“Don’t worry, when we get to my pride lands, I’m sure we can find a house to live in,” Daniel said.

“No more Team Vagabond,” Lea said sadly.

“We will always be Team Vagabond. Just because we have a house, doesn’t mean we can’t go off exploring. You know, your mom used to tell me that the best thing about having a home was coming back to it after you’ve been away for a long time.”

“Do you think they will accept us?” Lottie asked. “I mean me. I’m not one of you. I’m not from your pride.”

“Of course they will.” He kissed her lips, and then added, “That’s if you can gain control of those big paws of yours,” he said, and ran off before she could hit him.

“Come on, Lea, let’s go get him.” Lottie shifted into her lioness. Lea did the same, a young adolescent lioness, all long limbs and skinny, running across the grass, and Lottie could see by the expression on her face that she was laughing inside. With a roar, she increased her pace, and in front of them Daniel shifted, and their journey began.

***

“I never thought my feet would hurt,” Lottie was saying, rubbing the soles of her feet. “My hands are red too.”

“That’s because it’s transferred over,” Daniel said, handing her a cold towel to press on them. “It’s the same as if you were shot, or injured as your other side, you would carry the wound.”

“It doesn’t magically heal, then?” Lottie asked hopefully.

“Sorry,” he said. “But you’ll soon toughen up.”

“I’m slowing you down,” she said, resting back against the tree trunk, trying to ease her aching muscles.

“I didn’t know there was a rush,” Daniel said, putting some more wood on the fire.

“You look right at home,” Lottie said. “Out in the wilds like this.”

“Nora used to take me camping all the time. She used to like going into the middle of nowhere so we could shift.”

“I bet mommy was a beautiful lioness,” Lea said, stirring the stew that was cooking on the open fire.

“I bet she was.” Daniel said.

“I wish I could remember her,” Lea said sadly.

“Maybe when we get to the pride lands there might be pictures of her. You know, she was best friends with my mom. That’s why she kept me safe.”

“Do you think so?” Lea asked looking happier.

“I think so,” Daniel said.

“Then I can’t wait to get there,” Lea said.

“Is that a hint,” Lottie said lightly, shifting her weight and scuttling forward to help Lea with the dinner.

“No. If your feet hurt, it doesn’t matter,” Lea said.

“Thanks, Lea.” Lottie put her arm around the girl and gave her a quick hug. She had been trying to show her affection, trying to get used to having a child to take care of. Having been on her own for the last couple of years since her parent’s death she realised she had got out of practice at showing her true feelings. It was easy to let her barriers down with Daniel, but Lea had been a challenge. One she now felt she was winning.

“Is it ready?” Lea asked, stirring the stew and then lifting the spoon for Lottie to have a look.

“I think so. Blow on it and then taste it and let me know what you think.”

“Mmmm. It’s ready,” Lea said, pleased with herself.

Working together they dished up dinner, poured drinks, and made themselves comfortable around the camp fire. The night slowly drew in, darkness enveloping them. It was comforting, the soft rustle of the leaves in the trees lulling them to sleep. Or maybe it was all the fresh air and the amount of miles they had covered in the last three days.

“Come on, let’s get some sleep,” Daniel said when they had eaten and tidied everything away. “Early start tomorrow. I think it will only be a day or two and we’ll be there.”