Page 100 of Shifted Desire

“I know. I know you don’t want me here, but I needed to come. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being alone…of suffering when I could be there for you. I’m sorry for not giving you space, but I just can’t…you can be mad at me later, just let me in. Please.”

She sounds as desperate as I feel. It tears at my heart and makes my cock throb with renewed need. Gods, if it weren’t for that fucking ward, I could claim her. She’d take me so well, my perfect mate. She wouldn’t be scared like the others. She’s mine. She’d handle all of me. She wants to help, wants to be rutted by a monster, wants my fangs piercing her throat…she’d beg me for it.

“Come on, don’t be shy. Do it. I want you to bite me. Please, I want it so bad and I can tell you do too.”

The human’s syrupy scent makes my nose itch even as my fangs ache to do as he begs. He’s willing and it’s been so long since I’ve been with someone in my monster form.

I want it. I want to feel him cry out as my fangs pierce his flesh and his blood hits my tongue. The man moans as I prowl closer, his eyes closing and head tipping back. I run my nose against his throat, scenting him, so fucking ready to stop being in control for once in my life. Then I feel it. The slight trembling of his body as he truly faces what he’s asking for. The acrid scent of his panic and last minute regret.

He’s scared. He doesn’t actually want this.

No one wants to be a monster. No one volunteers for this curse.

Did someone force him to be here? Was he coerced, like me?

Suddenly I’m in his place, tears running down my cheeks as Mom holds my hand and tells me to be brave. Dad scowls at me as I try to pull away as the fanged monster nears, snapping at me to stay in control and not fight it. Reminding me that it’s for the best. That once I got the curse, I’d be closer to them. A wolf worthy of the Dubois family name.

I snarl and push away from the man, leaving him gasping and panting. He calls out to me, but I don’t listen. I ignore the hunger and the ache inside me, running through the forest, getting as far away from him as I can before my limbs tire and I collapse, staring up at the night sky, panting and whining through my shame and desperation.

“You should go,” I rasp, staring at the door, memories flooding my mind.

“No.”

I attempt to infuse a warning growl into my voice. “Samantha. You can’t be here. Leave.”

“Absolutely not! You’re clearly in pain. I can hear it in your voice, and I’m not going to leave you to suffer alone.”

“I can’t let you in.” My mind spirals with need for her and fear of what would happen if the ward came down.

“And I can’t leave you.”

“Samantha, please…” Gods, all I want is to feel her in my arms and know that she’s safe. The pain of having her so close yet unable to touch is it’s own kind of torture.

She sighs. “If you can’t or won’t let me inside, that’s fine. But I’m staying.”

“I’m okay. You don’t need to.” The words are so shaky and weak that I don’t even convince myself.

Samantha snorts. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I drag myself closer to the door, as close as I can get without getting hit by the ward. Her scent grows stronger, like she’s sitting on the other side, only a few inches separating us. I shudder as a wave of need rolls over me, demanding that I try to tear down the barrier even though I know it’s futile.

“I hate this,” I growl, glaring at the door. “I need you.”

“I’m here. Breathe and focus on my voice.”

I let out a pathetic sigh, unsure how listening will help.

She makes a soothing noise then starts telling me about how Max’s bachelor party went, talking to me like I’m not a monster ready to devour her. Like I’m still the man she cares for.

My eyes drift close as I listen to her voice, letting the sound and scent of her wrap around me like a blanket, soothing the sharpest edges of my desire.

This time, when darkness claims me, it’s not from pain, but the comfort of knowing my mate is here with me.

37

I’m not sure when I fall asleep, but it’s long after Nathan’s heartbreaking growls and whines of discomfort fade into deep snoring. I kept talking, whispering all my hopes and fears to him through the door.

How I need him to trust me because I can’t bear the thought of him suffering.