Page 69 of Howlin’ For You

“I’m with you, Nick. Let’s do this.”

With one last look at my face, he backs up. The moon rises above the tree line, and I take my own step back.

Will this hurt him? We never spoke about the actual transformation. Will it take a long time?

He shoots me one more nervous smile before his head snaps back, and his body launches forward instantaneously. It’s so fast that I can’t see the actual transformation. In his place stands a gorgeous wolf with the fur the same soft brown shade as Nick’s hair.

He huffs, shaking out his coat. It’s so shiny it reflects the moonlight.

“Nick?” I ask the giant creature. “Are you okay? Did that hurt?”

The wolf pads forward slowly, cautiously, as if giving me time to run away. He butts his head against my chest, nuzzling against me. He’s nearly as tall as a regular human, even on all fours.

“Oh,” I exhale, tangling my fingers in the soft fur. It might be a different form, but it’s still Nick. I can see it in his clear, kind eyes, the ones I adore so much.

Nick barks as if he’s laughing. Can wolves laugh? I’m not sure. But the way he gazes up at me? That’s all Nick—that devotion, care, and love.

“Shall we join Georgie and Dane?” I ask, scratching him behind the ear. “I probably should have met him before this, huh?”

He huffs an agreement, leading me to the woods. He’s fast enough that he has to pull back to a little trot so I can keep up.

“Oh well. I suppose I’ll give him a proper greeting when you all shift back.” We walk through the trees, the animals seemingly accustomed to wolves. Squirrels run around as if this is just a normal day.

Are there other werewolves in the area? “Wait. You took all your clothes off before you shifted. Does that mean a bunch of naked people will be walking around in the morning?”

He meets my gaze and gives the wolfy equivalent of an eye roll, which I’ll admit I kind of deserve.

“It’s a valid question for a newcomer.” I cross my arms, secretly reveling in how even in wolf form, Nick can do a snuffle-laugh.

A soft howl comes from behind a tree, and a slightly smaller, red-coated wolf walks toward us.

Georgie.

I’m not sure exactly why I’m so confident, but I am. That’s my best friend.

Best friend.

I’m so happy she trusts me enough to see her like this. As vulnerable as this is for Nick, it’s vulnerable for her, too.

“Hey Georgie,” I softly say as she gets close. “I love your fur.”

Georgie stands taller, shaking her shoulders just a little to show off how the red glows in the moonlight.

“You’re welcome,” I chuckle. I move to give her a little pat, but Nick butts my hand away, standing in front of me with what I can only describe as a pout.

Okay, then. No touching anyone but him.

“You’re a possessive puppy, aren’t you?” I lean down and kiss the tip of his nose.

Georgie’s bark fills the forest, startling a group of birds who caw and yammer as they all fly away.

An annoyed rumble rattles through Nick’s chest and into mine, but his eyes are soft and…happy.

“You know, it’s really quite weird being the only one who can talk,” I say. “Oh, well.”

At that, one last wolf enters our little clearing. A solid black wolf that would be utterly terrifying based on his sheer size and unfamiliarity, if not for his warm golden eyes.

“Dane?” I turn to Nick.