I couldn’t stop smiling at the sense of freedom I felt, even though I knew what lay ahead of me. This time with Mason had truly been an elixir to my soul and helped restore a lot of the confidence I’d lost. My feet flew across the ground as I tried to watch for holes and fallen logs. The last thing I needed was to stumble and injure something.
I expected him to pass me because he was definitely the faster of us both, and when I didn’t hear him coming, I figured he liked the “view” better from where he was. I tried to put a little wiggle as I moved, but when I almost fell, I gave up sexy for speed. Problem was I still wasn’t hearing him behind me. He was stealthy, but not so good he could move without making a sound.
I came to a complete stop and whipped around, my hair flying everywhere and I had to take a moment to pull it away from my face. All I could see was forest. No Mason.
A black wolf flew through a batch of low hanging leaves and I realized that the rotten punk was cheating. It reminded me when challenging a werewolf; make sure I was specific because they’ll look for any loophole to win. I hadn’t said how we’d race home so he changed into his wolf form, having the ultimate advantage. There was no way in heck I’d beat him unless I quickly shifted myself.
I worried it would take longer to change this time. All the shifting of muscle and bone takes a toll on the body and where magic alleviates most of the strain, there was a limit to just how much it could do.
I reached out to my wolf, getting a sense of how she was feeling. I expected some sort of lethargic energy, but she was rearing to go. I puzzled over it, and discerned a power I knew instantly as Mason’s. He was channeling some of his own Alpha power to me, lending me the strength so I could catch up. I didn’t quite understand the gist of it all, but being Alpha came with some pretty amazing abilities and I couldn’t wait to learn more about them.
I signaled quietly to my wolf that we could change and felt the process begin. It happened rapidly this time and before I knew it, I was barreling as fast as I could after Mason, quickly gaining on him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was pacing himself, not really exerting much of an effort.
With a howl of exuberance, I breezed past him, my tongue lolling out the side of my mouth as if to mock him and I kicked up dirt in my eagerness to beat him home. I could hear him pick up speed when he realized I stood a real chance and knowing he’d never live it down, he almost caught up.
You’re a cheater Mason O’Connor. I laughed as I sent a scandalous image to him with my mind. There was a loud bang behind me and a quick glance told me my trick had worked. Mason was a tangled ball of paws and fur, having run into the gate that secured the property. That’d teach him to mess with me.
That was a dirty trick, Darcy.
Well, I’ve learned from the best. First one home gets all the hot water.
I broke into the yard and entered the house to the squealing of everyone I passed. It wasn’t unusual to see the young cubs in wolf form, playing around, but not so much the older wolves.
“No running in the house, you two,” Daniel bellowed as I barged past him, almost pushing him back over the chair. “Oh I’m sorry, Your Most Impressive Duke of All Things Furry. Proceed as you will,” he directed at the wolf directly behind me. His comment almost undid me as I imagined the face Mason would’ve pulled had he been human.
A yelp of pain and a rapid burst of cussing told me he’d taught the irreverent jokester a lesson in manners, and I was able to make it into my room with moments to spare. The shift back took seconds.
A snout became visible around the doorway, and I rushed forward with the intention of slamming the door and locking it before Mason could enter. Somehow I managed and I leaned back against the hard surface, gasping for breath.
The door handle rattled as I felt someone pounding against the door. “Let me in, Darcy. That wasn’t a fair race so I deserve to have the shower first.” He beat on the entryway again for extra emphasis.
“Fine then, go to one of the other four bathrooms. Heaven knows, we don’t have to share.” The idea of bathing with Mason after the passion stirred earlier started a slow burn in my body. I shook my head as I moved away toward the bathroom entrance. I had no idea how we would last until the mating ritual.
“Now go be a good wolf and get changed so we can take care of business. Leave me in peace and I’ll meet you outside in ten minutes.” Judging from the silence on the other side of the wall, Mason had already moved on, seeking his own shower.
Nerves began to twist in my stomach as I closed the curtain and turned the faucets on, testing the temperature with my right hand. The water was hot and the room quickly filled with steam. I let out a loud groan as the beating of the heated spray started to melt away the tension.
I began to scrub my hair, lathering it up with my favorite scented shampoo, and with my eyes closed, I reached for the loofah. Not finding it hanging where I usually placed it, I began feeling around and gasped when I found something unexpected.
“All the other bathrooms were taken,” Mason’s voice was low and rumbly. I felt him move slightly before he began to scrub my back. He applied just the right amount of pressure and I let out another groan of appreciation. He moved down to the base of my back before crouching down to wash my legs.
“We don’t have time for this. Any longer, they’ll send out a search party, Devlin in the lead.”
“No need to panic.” He laughed, taking the time to apply more of my favorite body wash and creating suds. “Just let me wash you. It’s about me taking care of you and one last chance to pamper my beautiful mate. I want no doubt in that mind of yours how much you’re loved.”
I grinned at him, careful not to get soap in my eyes and relaxed into him, enjoying the feel of his strong hands moving me about as he tended to me.
“Repeat after me. I am loved and I am cherished.”
I opened my eyes to peer at him and I met with a serious expression.
“Come on, say it.”
I took a deep breath and sighed. “I am loved, and I am cherished.”
“Good. Now turn around and let me get your front.”
It didn’t take too long after that before he had me wrapped in a large towel as he rubbed me dry before pushing me back into the bedroom. I quickly grabbed a pair of faded jeans and t-shirt, a comfortable silence between us. After running a brush through my hair, I turned around to find him ready with his game face on.
Silently, we exited and headed toward his office, hand in hand. With each step we took, I could feel a different kind of change come over us. I mentally prepared myself for the questions that would be asked and for the memories that would resurface as I retold the story. I prayed I would remember it all and not leave out any important detail. I was scared about what it all meant, but as I looked at the fierce Alpha beside me, I knew I’d be okay.
Mason’s expression lost all playfulness as a seriousness settled over him. Decisions would have to be made and I knew he worried about the safety of the Pack. It was up to him to make sure everything was okay, and that any threat to him and his own be quickly exterminated. He didn’t like violence, but accepted it as a natural part of his life.
We reached the door, but as I went to move forward, Mason stopped me.
“Remember. It’s you and me—there’s nothing we can’t get through together. Take your time and don’t let anybody bully you. Do the best you can and know I’m proud of you.” He quickly kissed me before pushing open the door. The noise of the room hushed and I heard everyone rise to their feet in respect for their Alpha.
Taking a deep breath, I centered myself. I am loved and I am cherished. I could do this.
Empowered, I walked through the doorway and smiled. I was ready. Bring it on.
Chapter Eleven