Page 15 of Hart's Redemption

When I was far enough away, Elijah lowered himself to the ground. His chest expanded in deep, even breaths while his fingers flexed in the dense layer of leaves blanketing the forest floor. A ripple passed beneath his skin in an eerie wave. His ribs heaved outward, then buckled inward. A curtain of gray hair fell around his face as he dropped his head and let out a pained groan.

I fought the urge to look away from the agony, but forced my eyes to stay open for every gruesome detail. I needed to know what would happen to me when I started my change. After about ten minutes, the process was finally complete. My heart hammered in my chest as Elijah pushed his way back upright.

It took a moment for him to regain his bearings, then he turned to look at me. My breath caught. Elijah had never let me see him transformed before. I was completely unprepared.

He’s stunning.

The Klamath Pack’s commonality with timber wolves was evident in his lush gray coat and white underbelly. Unlike theweresI’d attacked nearly six months ago, Elijah had smudges ofdarker gray beneath eyes that shone like polished copper in the dying light and a streak of rust trailing down his spine.

I longed to run my fingers through his silky mane and tell him how unbelievably beautiful he was. Before a word could leave my lips, my abdomen clenched. The fingers I’d been fantasizing about carding through his hair now dug mercilessly into my own skin. I looked up, seeking a moon that my body seemed convinced was hovering directly overhead, yet all I found was a burned sky.

A gasp fell out of me as I collapsed to the floor, heedless of twigs and pebbles digging into my knees. Every muscle tightened past any tolerable level of pain. I panted heavily through cramps determined to tear my body apart. Then, my leg cracked. My cry startled a flock of birds into flight. Their indignant calls raked along raw nerves.

I instinctively sought Elijah.

He sat fewer than five yards away. Everything about him exuded strength and patience, a confidence that I would get through this.

I dragged in a ragged breath and let it out slowly. The urge to fight what was happening lay just beneath the surface. My fingers dug into the earth as another body-shattering wave of agony swept over me.

Breath in. Breathe out.

I forced my hand to relax. Next, my arms. Then, my back. Finally, my head fell between my shoulders, not in defeat, but in acceptance. A hiss slipped past my lips as a burning itch suddenly engulfed my body. Almost as soon as it arrived, it dissipated. I huffed out a breath, surprised to find my face on the ground, and no idea how much time had passed while a whirlwind of pain consumed me.

Slowly, I pushed myself to standing. The world swam around me in a hazy dusk as I oriented to the new form. All the anxietyI’d been nursing about the change fell away. There was nothing scary or unusual about the wolf. Being him was as natural as being myself.

I took a deep breath, allowing the myriad of smells to fill my chest. The intricate concoction brought with it something I hadn’t expected in the least—elation.

Chapter 6

Elijah

Joshinwolfformwas every bit as beautiful as I remembered. His black coat hid him almost perfectly in the lengthening shadows, while the white star on his chest seemed to glow.

I marveled at how smoothly he’d gone through the transition. It had taken some time, but he’d eventually relaxed into it as if he’d done this dozens of times, not three. I met his gaze, more proud and relieved than words could convey.

His tail wagged slowly behind him, and he startled. Then looked over his shoulder as if he’d forgotten it was there.

I huffed out a laugh, and his attention instantly snapped to me. Wariness tightened my muscles beneath his intense gaze.Anxiety threaded through my chest while my heart hammered against my ribs. I diligently reminded myself of the cardinal rule when facing predators: don’t run. The message got harder to follow as Josh lowered his head and rolled his shoulders.

Dr. Lyons was right. He isn’t ready for this. He’s too dangerous. What have I done?

Without so much as a whisper of leaves to betray him, he launched forward.

I braced myself for impact, determined to hold my ground no matter what. Josh hit me hard enough to send me rolling. I struggled to regain my footing only to have him tackle me again. The instinct to kick up and rake my back claws along his belly rose to the surface, but my legs remained still, unwilling to harm my mate.

I squeezed my eyes shut as he shoved his muzzle into the ruff at my neck. Of all the ways to die, this had never made the list. I held perfectly still, praying that Josh would recognize me before it was too late or, at the very least, it would be a swift end. The breath froze in my lungs as I waited for the final snap. But no teeth came. No crushing bite, or savage claws to rip my exposed stomach.

I cracked open my eyes and found Josh standing over me.

He gave a sharp yip, and I flinched. He cocked his head to the side, and his ears wilted.

I felt like a fool. With teeth bared, I gave a strong sneeze to convey, “You scared the shit out of me,” the only way I could.

Both of his ears perked up, and he shook his head hard enough to ruffle his coat.

And… now he’s mocking me.

I rolled my eyes and made to get up only to have him push me back down. I snapped at him, and he shoved his nose back into my ruff and snuffled around. His nose prods, strong enough tokeep me on the ground, thwarted all my attempts to shake him loose.