Finally he did catch up, and pounced. He sent them rolling across the grass and leaves, nipping playfully, pinning her underneath his bulk. At no time did she feel threatened. Instead, just incredibly filled with joy, as she hadn’t been in ages. Their play was a balm to her soul.
And then it changed.
Over her, the wolf stilled. His body rippled and lengthened, and seamlessly he changed to his half-form. He was a more powerful version of Micah, with fangs and claws, fur covering his chest, arms, torso, and legs. And his cock and balls, too.
Arousal swamped her, and she changed as well with a thought. While stronger than her human form, her half-form was much smaller than his. She reveled in his power as he spread her legs, reached between them to rub her sex. He parted her folds, dipping his fingers inside to fuck her with them, and she whimpered, raising her hips to encourage him.
He’d stop if she wanted. No question. She felt safe with him, and so she didn’t want him to end things. Spreading her legs wider, she pulled his head down, loving his chuckle as he fastened his mouth to her and started to lick. God, that preternaturally long tongue was magic, stroking her core and dr
iving her wild. He laved and sucked her clit until she thought she’d go mad.
And then she exploded into a thousand shards of light, calling his name.
Jacee awakened with a start, heart pounding. Sex throbbing in the aftermath of a powerful orgasm. Wait. She’d only dreamed that, right?
Looking down at herself, she saw that she was flat on her back, naked. Her legs were spread and her sex was wet. Just as though Micah really had been there, pleasuring her with his mouth. But that wasn’t possible. She was alone.
It was a hell of a long time before sleep claimed her again.
This time, she didn’t dream.
Three
Micah felt like a complete shit.
Last night had gone so well. He’d been drawn to Jacee for weeks now and hadn’t known why—until she’d gotten close and his wolf had scented the delicious aroma of cherries and almonds. He’d begun to suspect. And then he’d gotten a taste of her when they’d kissed, and his wolf knew.
Jacee was his mate.
The idea was stunning. Frightening and exciting. Could a broken man like him actually have something to offer a mate? Surely she was getting ripped off. Bondmates had no say in the matter, because biology ensured that once they met, they would either mate—or sicken and die without each other. Some choice for Jacee.
And then he’d totally invaded her privacy after they’d gone home for the evening. He’d already ruined things by using his ability as a Dreamwalker to take advantage of her. She no doubt thought her sexy dream was just that—a dream. His conscience, however, wouldn’t allow her to go on believing a lie. Not a good way to start a real relationship. If that’s in fact what he hoped to have, biology or not.
Picking up the bottle from his dresser, he shook out two pills and downed them with a day-old bottle of water. On second thought, he shook out two more, swallowed those as well, and braced his hands on the edge of the dresser, trying to calm the building chaos in his brain before it got too bad. Gradually, he began to relax.
But there was the nosebleed and the headache to deal with before he could venture from his quarters.
Half an hour later, feeling almost like himself, he left his apartment and ventured into the hallway. Not even the slightest bit hungry, he decided to head for the hangar and tinker with his motorcycle for a while. It had been idling a little rough lately, so maybe—
Someone slammed into his shoulder, hard. Inside, his wolf leapt into attack mode.
Moving fast, he grabbed the body and threw it against the wall. Distantly, he heard a frightened cry as he pinned the man with one arm and extended his claws on the other hand. His fangs lengthened as he buried his fingers in his captive’s hair, yanked back his head to expose his throat—
“Micah! What the fuck?”
Enemy. End him.
“Let him go!”
Someone hit him from the side, knocking him away from his prey, and they went down in a tangle of limbs. The enemy on top of him was bigger, stronger. He needed to get free. Or shift. Yes, his wolf could defeat the man who was fighting him.
“Micah, get ahold of yourself!” A blow to the side of his head sent his brain reeling, scattering his thoughts.
The red haze of anger lifted, and his wolf retreated. The sight that greeted him at first filled him with confusion. Then horror.
Noah was leaning against the wall, breathing hard, eyes wide as he stared at Micah. The shirt of his blue nurse’s scrubs was torn, dots of red bleeding through the fabric where Micah had scratched him.
“Oh, my God. Noah, I’m so sorry.”