Maybe I am? That would explain so many things.
I put my foot down and force myself up, but the underbrush is slick, and I slip on it, falling back. My ass bounces on the absurd amount of dead leaves, and I wince. “Fucking fuck,” I hiss.
The wolf makes a sound, a sound that... feels like laughter? Okay, the head wound may be worse than I expected. Its maw hangs open, and its tongue lolls out, and I swear the animal looks like it’s smiling. I squint at it, but before I can study the phenomenon, the animal approaches again.
I raise the branch. “Don’t come near. I may go down, but I won’t go without a fight.”
It stops, but just for a moment. Then it steps closer once more, stretching its body and sniffing my boots. I let it. It might decide I’m no good and leave me be. I meant it when I said I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I may die, but I’ll take an eye with me. There’s no way I’ve lived through all this shit just to die here, like this.
The wolf pulls back and drops on its front paws, raising its hind part. The open mouth now really looks like a smile, and its tail starts to wag. It huffs, then dances around, tail out of control like a freaking overgrown Labrador.
Why can’t things stop getting weirder?
The wolf stomps around as I get to my feet, still clasping my weapon close. Then it stops, ambles closer, and sits on its haunches. I blink twice, then do the craziest thing I could think of. I reach out and touch its head.
I mean, I’ve never touched a wolf. That’s badass.
The soft fur slides between my fingers and my lips curl into a smile. This isn’t so bad. Maybe I’m getting lucky, after all. Is this the moment I get a pet? Like a badass pet that will follow me in my adventures and stuff? That would be so good. I would even let it sleep in my bed.
Just as I’m scratching its head, white, glittering light pours from its skin like glittery sweat, and then the wolf changes. Grows. I’m still holding onto its ear when it becomes a man. The man smiles down at me.
Fuck, I can’t get a break.
I jerk my arm back, blinking at him. “What the fuck.” It’s not a question. I’m just tired.
He laughs, and the sound is so open and easy my shoulders relax against my will. His smile is perfectly white, and his straight teeth don’t look like he was a predator a second ago. Long, slick black hair frames his face, and the sun bathes his golden skin. His dark eyes are almond-shaped, angled in the corners, and, wow, he is good-looking.
A good-looking shifter, I guess. Unlike what my imagination served me, he’s not naked. No, he changed from a wolf into a very hot, yes, but dressed man. Jeans, boots, and a relaxed flannel shirt that doesn’t hide his defined arms.
“Sorry,” he says, humor in his voice. “I didn’t know how to warn you.”
“You could have stepped away or something,” I go on, curling my nose in mock insult. “At least I wouldn’t be holding your ear.”
“It was cute.”
“It was pathetic.”
He shows his teeth in a smile. “Name’s Ren, mate.” And he offers a hand.
I glare at his hand. “Wait. What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Shake it.”
“I mean, you just said I’m your mate.”
“Yeah!” He throws both hands up like he’s about to burst with energy. “Isn’t that crazy? What are the chances?”
I shake my head. This guy is too happy-go-lucky to be my mate. Besides, there’s another problem. “Listen, Ren. I can’t be your mate. I already have a mate.”
His brows press together in what looks like pain, but it’s only a moment. They rise in confusion. “Another wolf? Impossible.”
“Well.” I shift from one foot to the other, wincing a little when the left one complains. It’s almost a hundred percent. Keyword: almost. “Not another wolf. He’s a dragon. I’m new to this. I don’t know if it makes a difference.”
Ren cups his chin in thought. “It shouldn’t.” He touches a hand to his chest. “But there’s no mistake. My wolf knows it’s you. The other guy might be mistaken. Or you’re one of those who have several mates.”
I curl my nose. What does he mean by ‘one of those’? I shake my head, my entire brain hurting. “You know what? Let’s pin that.” I mimic pinning something into the air. “We’ll discuss it some other time. Sometimes I’m not worried about the others being dead.”
Ren’s shoulders pull back, his spine steeling. “What happened?”