254- Before the Moon Claims Me
POV Elowen Grimwald:
Sava never understood my fondness for high heels, but in the few opportunities life gave me to wear them, I felt prettier, sexier, and more confident with the extra height. Maybe my taste wouldn’t change when I transformed.
In my brown leather skirt, black camisole, and matching heeled sandals, I admired my figure in the wardrobe mirror.
I stared at my necklace, and it stared back at me from one of the shelves. I suspected I would never again have the courage to put it around my neck after it had mysteriously reappeared.
The changes in my body were already happening. I felt stronger, faster, my senses sharper. My wolf, silently caged, would have been something I adored in the past, but now it worried me.
Was the little menace preparing to tear me apart and make a grand entrance?
And what if she rejected Aldren? I didn’t even want to think about that.
My late relatives had never shared the details of transformation with me, and my sister only remembered it being extremely painful. I had stayed away from her an entire night, only to find her again in our room the next morning, her clothes torn.
The truth was, if I could have chosen, I wouldn’t have been born a hybrid wolf.
Maybe a mermaid? A vampire?
Completely human, no. That was awful. Living less than a hundred years and, by seventy, not even being able to hide the fact you were aging? No, thank you.
My mind was full of nonsense because my male was taking too long—just let him find that out.
His luck was being so handsome and delicious that I would forgive a lot just to kiss that burning mouth and feel those rough hands roaming over my body again.
Better late than never, his scent arrived first, until he appeared at my door wearing his usual tunic, this time black, and dark jeans fitted to the muscles of his legs. His wet hair, combed back, elevated his seductive presence to countless new levels.
I looked him up and down and placed a hand over my heart.
“Thank the gods for granting me my first date with the most handsome alpha on this Earth.”
Aldren smiled and briefly averted his deep green eyes. I loved leaving him flustered just as much as I loved his presence. He turned his back to me and gestured to himself.
“Climb into your carriage.”
“Not before you tell me what you think of my outfit!”
I had even put on a red lipstick I bought during my visit to the market.
The two-meter-tall alpha turned back again and fixed his eyes on my body, undressing me without removing a single piece of clothing. He moistened his lips before our eyes met.
I realized I had been holding my breath when the air suddenly failed me.
“You’re beautiful no matter what, but today especially, you look stunning.” His hoarse, velvety voice sent shivers down my spine.
“Thank you. Now I can get into my carriage.” I tossed my hair back, satisfied.
With the seductive smile I loved, he turned again.
I climbed onto his back, wrapping my arms across his chest, and his strong arms secured themselves beneath my knees. My skirt rode up, but not enough to expose my backside.
“Hold on tight.” With that warning, he ran through the house at inhuman speed, reaching the door with astonishing quickness.
Part of my hair came loose, flying into my face when he stopped abruptly.
“So that’s what being fast means, gentlemen,” I whispered, spitting out strands of hair while he opened the door.
As expected, one of the guards stood outside. From my new advantageous position, I gave him a friendly wave, which he returned with a brief nod.
“We won’t be back anytime soon. You can rest,” Aldren ordered, heading for the staircase with measured steps.
“No speed now?”
“Not on these stone steps. I’m afraid of slipping and dropping you. You’d get hurt.”
“How cute and careful…”
“I prefer you with all your teeth.”
I laughed at his honesty as I watched him approach the secret entrance.
“But if I lose my teeth, won’t you want me anymore?” It was part of being a woman to ask questions like that, even if I was part wolf.
“I know how to implant a new tooth. I just don’t want to have to do that to you.” He opened the gate, and I saw the structure I had invaded when I first set foot in Valmorin.
“I wonder if there’s anything you don’t know how to do.”
“There is something embarrassing, but I won’t say.”
“Oh no! Tell me!”
“Don’t lose your desire for me, but I’m a terrible driver.” I burst out laughing against his shoulder.
“I imagine that’s because you hardly ever need to do it…?”
“One of the reasons. But I also feel like running over anyone who walks in front of me.”
“By the gods… you’re joking, right?”
“No. I hate going into the city. Humans are very careless.”
The door I had once tried to open stealthily slid open automatically for Aldren.
I was amazed by the structure assembled in that place. The brightly lit iron walls were lined with plants and shelves full of what looked like samples.
“Is this where you work?”
“No, it’s here.” He headed for a door down a corridor to the left, which, when opened, revealed a laboratory that looked more like a sanctuary.
He slowly released my legs, and I slid down from his back, standing. Holding my arm, he pulled me in front of him and, staying behind me, wrapped me in an embrace.
“Wow…”
“What do you think?”
“It’s incredible. The kind of thing very intelligent people make.” The handsome devil laughed. “What’s that?” I pointed to the large brushed stainless-steel counter, where a pink liquid bubbled inside a transparent container. A glass wall divided the two spaces.
“An experiment.” The tone he used made it clear it was something I would like.
I turned to face him, curious.
“Tell me!”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to test it in time for your transformation, but it’s an anesthetic drink that doesn’t interfere with the transition.”
Right then, I could have fainted from sheer affection. I touched the side of his face, brushing my thumb along his stubble.
“You’re worried I’ll feel pain?”
“I should have created this a long time ago…” he tried to deflect.
“Aldren Valmorin, are you worried I’ll be in a lot of pain?” I insisted.
“And if I am?” He painfully tugged my lower lip between his teeth, staining them red. I gently wiped them clean with my finger. “You’re going to take this off,” he complained.
“Only if you promise you’ll kiss me a lot, because I really miss those lips.”
“You do, huh?”
“Very much.” I stole a quick, smacking kiss.
“First, come here.”