“It’s still me.”

“I know but I like you this way so much more.” She knew he worried about her safety and, as a beast, he could move faster with four legs instead of just two. “Damn. I’m going to need a drink later.”

He chuckled. “I have a fully stocked bar at the cabin.”

“You really are perfect. Okay.” She forced a nod. “I can do this. I can.”

“It’s like riding a horse.”

“I lived in L.A. I never had access to one. I don’t count being strapped to that asshole when he kidnapped me as a fun experience either.”

“It will be a fun adventure with me.”

“Right.” She sighed. “Let’s do this. The faster, the better, before I chicken out.”

“You’re being very brave for me and I appreciate it. I know you’d prefer not to see me that way.”

“It’s not really bravery motivating me. It’s the fact you told me you have a Jacuzzi tub that urges me to deal with you in fur a lot faster. Plus, I really am starving. I’m assuming you have food at home.” She hesitated. “Your eyes turning pure black scare me more than the hair or the deadly looking claws do. I also feel a little sick when I hear the transformation. It’s kind of a yucky sound. I don’t want to offend you, don’t mean to, but I want to be honest. I think I’m doing good though, considering a few days ago before the crash I would have just run screaming if I saw you in fur.”

Drantos lifted up a little and gently withdrew from her body. She hated the feeling of him separating from her but didn’t protest.

“I can’t help any of that. I know my eyes turn black. It’s me though. Just remember that, and yes, I have food at home. While you enjoy the tub, I’ll make you a wonderful dinner. This won’t be so bad. Just wrap your legs around me and hug my neck. Hold on tight.”

“Okay but don’t ever ask me to do you in fur because ew You’re damn hot in skin but not the other way.”

He laughed, lifted totally off her to his knees, and then held out his hand. “You have my word.”

She put her hand in his. “Good because yeah, that’s just too freaky for me.”

“I swear.” He chuckled. “It doesn’t do it for me either. Some VampLycans have sex in their animal form but I never have. Not a turn on.” His heated gaze darted down her body. “I love creamy, soft flesh.”

“Well, I have that in abundance.”

“I’m happy about that.” He easily pulled her to her feet and then rose to his.

Chapter Twelve

Dusti walked into the woods to use the bathroom and when she returned, she faced Drantos in fur. His massive beast body stood perfectly still while he watched her silently with those black eyes that still made her shiver. No sign of the man she loved lurked in their dark depths.

She realized she’d jerked to a halt. She took a deep breath, moved to the discarded shirt, and bent to shake it out before slipping it over her head.

“Give me a minute.” She glanced at him. “I need to do something about this sarong thing. I think I came up with a way to make a kind of diaper shape with it, which would be good because I’d like something between my pussy and your fur. No offense but that’s why I trim down there.”

He sat on his haunches and she swore he grinned when his mouth parted to reveal those wicked-sharp teeth. She smiled at him.

“You still look terrifying. I don’t suppose you’d consider wearing a collar one day? I can’t tell you apart from the others when you’re like that but you do look bigger.”

He softly growled.

“I guess not.” She untied the two ends of the sarong to put it between her legs, and then she tied both sides of the ends tightly at her waist. Her thighs were exposed high on each side but it functioned the way she wanted it to. She focused back on Drantos. “Okay.”

He eased up to stand on all four of his muscular legs. She held still as he slowly stalked forward. When he reached her, his head lowered near her hand and nudged her palm. She hesitated before running her fingers through the soft black fur behind his head. She refrained from making any jokes, even if she was tempted to call him a “nice doggy”. He didn’t appear to resemble one, besides the shape of his head and the pointed ears. His muzzle turned to bump against her thigh.

“Got it. Climb on. Okay.” She studied his broad back. “Like a horse. Right.”

She moved to his side. He wasn’t as tall as a horse on all four legs but his back was still as high as her stomach. She gripped him with both hands and threw her leg over. He lowered just enough to help her straddle him and then he rose up until her toes left the ground. She lunged forward to press her chest against his back.

“Can we go slow at first?”

He turned his head to peer at her. The sight of his pitch-black eyes didn’t scare her as much as before. His fur was soft and comfortable. She knew he wouldn’t bite into her or claw her. This is Drantos, she silently reminded herself. He straightened to face forward.

When he took the first few steps, she realized she needed to wrap her arms around his neck. She hugged him tightly. He paused, and one of his front clawed hands gently pushed on her shin just enough to clue her in that he wanted her to hook her legs under his belly. She hoped she didn’t accidently kick his genitals but his torso seemed longer in this form than in his human skin. His hand dropped away and that quickly, they were moving.

* * * * *

Drantos couldn’t deny how proud he felt that Dusti rode his back without fear. She hadn’t exactly accepted all of him yet but it had gone far better than he’d imagined when she saw him in his animal form the second time.

He slowed, sniffed the air, and avoided the main body of town when he approached his village.

Worry rose but he had no time to consider what sort of punishment might be dealt to him. He had rescued his mate, carried her safely to clan lands, and soon he’d have her secured inside his home. She needed a warm bath to remove the chill from her skin and a full belly of food to alleviate her hunger. He would inform his family he’d returned after she was cared for.

Dusti shivered once again, her arms slack around his neck now. He knew exhaustion had set in. He paused, waited for a sentry to pass without detecting them since he kept downwind, and then crept forward. He relaxed when he stepped onto his own property where his cabin rested. He crouched down by the front door and started to transform without giving his mate a warning.