CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next morning I wake late, much later than I've woken before.
I don't know what time it is since the alarm I borrowed from Jenna is missing from the bedside table.
But from the bright light outside, I'm guessing it's ten, maybe eleven in the morning.
Does this mean I no longer have to make breakfast for the pack?
It doesn't take me long to work out that between me falling asleep by the lake with Dayne's body curved around me, at some point he must have carried me back to the house and tucked me into bed.
I'm still naked, which doesn't come as a massive surprise when Dayne seems to prefer me not to wear clothes in bed.
Since Dayne is probably in the office with Luka and I'm ravenous, I decide to head downstairs, grab some breakfast and then deal with having a shower a little later. The smell of sex clinging to me isn't terrible, and I'm finding I don't mind wearing Dayne's scent a little longer.
But almost as soon as I rise from the bed, I get a very sudden need to change. One I can't ignore.
I need to shift, and now.
Hesitating for the barest second, I go to the bedroom door and ease it open a crack before I sink into a crouch and let the change sweep over me.
It's fast, much faster this time than before, and it's another sure sign that Dayne might be right about me since only alphas can change with the speed I just did.
How come I never noticed that before?
I easily pick up Dayne's scent and track the most recent to his office, where I smell Luka's as well; his is a mix of cedar and chocolate, and my wolf finds it warm and reassuring. I guess she likes him as much as I do.
After I pass the den, I pause at Savannah's bright lemon and fall leaves scent. Curling my lip, I consider hunting her out and finishing what I started at the BBQ, and inside my wolf's body, I tense at the thought.
But Savannah isn't in the house, and that's when I realize none of the pack are. Although I can tell they were here not too long ago, maybe a few hours only, their scents aren't as fresh as Luka and Dayne's are.
Once again, sighing in relief that there's no one here for my wolf to harm, I pad over to the office and lift a paw to scratch at the door.
Seconds later, Luka is tugging it open. I slip past him since he doesn't interest my wolf as much as the soft sheepskin rug in front of a low burning fire.
I don't remember falling asleep but I must, because when I next crack my eyes open, there's no sign of Luka, and Dayne is sitting cross-legged in front of me with one hand buried in my fur.
The light outside has shifted again. It's less intense, and my stomach is grumbling. It must be early afternoon and it should concern me that all this time-hours have passed and despite my hunger, despite knowing it's not safe to remain in my wolf shape for this long, I can't find it in me to care.
I could end up trapped in this shape, with my wolf in the driving seat, forever. Much like what I did to my wolf side. But even as I think this, I feel not the slightest desire, or the need to shift back to human. Which is… more than a little worrying.
"You're spending too much time as a wolf," he tells me.
He's right. But I'm not about to tell him that the urge to shift isn't something I've got a great deal of control over right now.
Thankfully, my wolf seems to have forgiven him for pinning her and forcing my change earlier, so at least I don't have to worry about her attacking him, which is a relief.
Since he's already had to put down an out-of-control alpha, the last thing I want to do is tell him he has another one on his hands.
If he's right about me being an alpha, that is.
Instead, I huff and close my eyes so I can continue my nap.
Only his hand slides around the back of my neck, and he tightens his hold briefly. "Change."
I snarl and attempt to shake off his hold. Telling him without words I have no intention of shifting.
"Talis, change." His voice is harder now. That of an alpha laying down the law.
Still, that isn't enough to stop me from trying to shake him off.
He'll think this is about his trying to control me, getting me to submit, but he won't know that even if I wanted to, right now I can't change back.
Trying to jerk out of his hold proves useless. If anything, his grip tightens and I see his muscles tense as if he's getting ready to lunge at me.
"Shift. Now."
I glare at him, and then suddenly the change is rippling over me, and Dayne is releasing me.
When I'm human, seeing his frown and knowing he's about to question me about my shifting, or even worse, about Uncle Glynn, I shove him onto his back and reach for his pants.
He doesn't stop me.
I feel the weight of his stare as I unbutton his pants and jerk them down his hips. And then, seeing he's hard already, I throw my leg over him, before sinking down on him and making us both groan.
Tossing my head back at how good he feels, I rise a little and sink until he's seated deep inside me. Only then do I lower my head and meet his eyes.
They burn.
His hands stroke over my hips and breasts, teasing my nipples into hard points as we find and settle into a smooth rhythm.
"Talis." Dayne's voice is a rumble of sound as he meets each one of my downward strokes with a firm thrust upward.
"Mmm." Throwing my head back, I lift my hands to cover his, squeezing, trying to ease the ache as I ride him on the ridiculously soft sheepskin rug.
"We need to talk about this." Dayne bites out between gritted teeth.
I shove my body down harder, increasing the pace.
"Talis… Fuck!" His hands go to my waist and his fingers find the bruises from last night as he moves me at the speed he wants. Harder. Faster.
The need to come surprises me.
One minute Dayne is driving into me as a heavy fullness gathers in my belly, not feeling any real urgency yet. And then my breath is catching as I grab at his shoulders. Not realizing until it's too late that my claws are out and I've broken skin.
Dayne rolls me. His hips pumping more urgently now, as if sensing how close I am.
My legs lock tight around him as he lowers his mouth to mine, our lips melding and our tongues dueling together. It's a hot and needy kiss that has me moaning into his mouth, even as I arch my back and come with a shuddering gasp.
Dayne lifts his head after swallowing my gasp, and framing my face with his hands, he continues to plunge into me, his eyes staring deep into mine.
He comes with a harsh groan, his gaze still locked with mine, as each new desperate thrust sends him deeper and deeper inside me until I can't tell when he ends and I begin.
I feel him in every single part of me, and it feels so perfect, tears are filling my eyes and I grab at his face to kiss him again because I need him in every single way I can get him, and he clings to me, kissing me with a desperation I can feel in my bones.
Deep inside, I feel the flutters of the mate bond flaring between us. Awakened by this new closeness between us.