Page 31 of Flint's Arrow
The snake moved closer, that massive head nudging against Arrow’s chest with surprising gentleness. Arrow laughed and ran his hands over Flint’s scales, learning the texture and feel of the unusual form.
His wolf was fascinated and not threatened at all. Flint was their mate - small and fierce as a human, massive and deadly in his animal form. Both sides of Flint were perfect.
The snake pulled back slightly and made a soft hissing sound, then nudged Arrow again. Arrow understood.
“You want to see my wolf?”
Another nudge.
Arrow stepped back, giving himself room before he pulled off his clothes, and let the shift take him. His wolf surged forward eagerly, bones reshaping and fur sprouting. The change was familiar and easy after years of practice. When he stood on four paws, he shook out his gray coat and looked at Flint.
The snake was watching him with those too-intelligent eyes, head raised. Then Flint began to move, gliding through the undergrowth with fluid grace. Arrow followed, his wolf delighted to finally be close to their mate.
They moved through the forest together, Flint’s snake navigating fallen logs and dense brush while Arrow padded alongside. Sometimes Flint would pause to investigate something - a rabbit burrow, an interesting tree - and Arrow would wait patiently, content just to be near and constantly checking the air to make sure no one else was around.
His wolf wanted to touch and to claim. But Arrow kept that instinct leashed. Flint had done him a great honor, showing Arrow his world, letting Arrow into another part of his life. The claiming would come later, when Flint was ready.
After an hour, Flint led them back to the clearing. Arrow shifted first, turning his back and putting on his clothes, while Flint changed and dressed as well. When he turned around, Flint was pulling on his shirt, his expression uncertain.
“Well?” Flint asked quietly.
Arrow crossed the distance between them in three strides. He stopped just short of touching, his hands hovering near Flint’s shoulders. “Can I?”
Flint nodded, his eyes still wary. Arrow pulled him into a gentle hug, hanging tightly onto his control, making sure that he wasn’t grasping or grabbing, despite how badly he wanted to hold on and never let go. Flint was warm and solid against him, fitting perfectly under Arrow’s chin.
“Your snake is amazing,” Arrow said into Flint’s hair. “You’re amazing. Both sides of you. Thank you for trusting me enough to show me.”
Flint’s arms came around Arrow’s waist, holding on tight. “You really mean that.”
“I really mean that.” Arrow forced himself to loosen his grip, to step back even though it physically hurt. “I also meant what I said about not being pushy, though. We should probably head back before I embarrass myself.”
Flint looked up at him, his huge eyes dark with want. “What if I don’t want you to go?”
Arrow’s heart stopped. “Flint…”
“I’m not saying we claim each other tonight,” Flint said quickly. “But maybe you could stay for dinner? Meet everyone properly instead of while they’re threatening to curse you? And then if you wanted to stay over…just to sleep…my guest room is…”
“Yes,” Arrow said. “To all of it. Absolutely yes and thank you.”
Flint didn’t say anything, but his wide smile spoke volumes.
Chapter Eleven
Flint guided Arrow toward the gathering of benches near the grill pit, where smoke rose in lazy spirals, and the scent of searing meat filled the air. Calvin and Levi stood at their twin grills, massive forms backlit by flames, arguing good-naturedly about marinade techniques.
“It’s the brown sugar that makes the difference,” Calvin insisted, flipping a rack of ribs with practiced ease.
“You’re out of your mind,” Levi shot back. “The acid in the apple cider vinegar is what breaks down the fibers. That’s basic chemistry.”
“Since when do you know chemistry?”
Storm appeared at Flint’s elbow, pressing a cold beer into his hand. “Your wolf looks less like he’s about to combust.”
“He’s trying really hard,” Flint admitted quietly.
“Good.” Storm watched Arrow through narrowed eyes. “He screws up again, and I’ll eat him.”
“You’ll have to get in line behind Pax.”
