Free Black Velvet by Elianne Adams

in wolf form with family surrounding her. The full moon was rising, and to top it off, she’d get to see Warren’s wolf for the first time. She hadn’t gone to the pack runs in the months since her arrival, but now that she was taking her stand, she wouldn’t miss another.
    Yips and barks sounded all around her as shifters arrived and left their human forms behind. No one would run until Warren got there, but she could tell they were anxious. She’d gotten a ride with Nickie and Jamie, hoping to gain a bit more of the omega’s trust. She hadn’t been invited to see the classroom yet, but she was still hopeful it would happen soon. All she had to do was give the omegas time to get used to the idea.
    Far in the distance, she could see the glow of the city, but out here, it was nothing but wilderness. The trees, moss, and fresh air flooded her senses. She could ignore the faint odor of oil left behind by the machinery. It wouldn’t be long before it disappeared now that they had stopped working in the area. She shrugged out of her sweater and shimmied out of her jeans.
    “Now that’s a sight for sore eyes,” Warren’s voice slid over her from somewhere behind her.
    Turning, she reached back and undid the clasp of her bra. “I’m glad you approve. Will you show me yours if I show you mine?” she asked even as she let the bra slide down her arms.
    He grunted and reached for her, but she scooted out of his grasp.
    “If I show you mine, we’ll keep the pack waiting. For hours. They won’t be too happy with us.”
    She pouted, and hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. When his gaze dropped there, she slipped them off, holding them between her fingers when she stood and let them fall to the ground at her feet. “Too bad, I was looking forward to it,” she winked up at him before letting her wolf emerge. Even though it had been a long time since she’d shifted, it was smooth and seamless—natural.
    She sat, tilting her head to the side as he grinned. He didn’t hurry, in fact, he took a lot more time than needed, teasing her with little glimpses of skin as he undid his buttons, one by one. By the time he removed his shirt, she wished she was back in human form so she could run her hands over his muscular flesh. He brought his hands to his jeans, popping the snap, and lowering the zipper before finally pulling them down and off. Need pulsed through her. Maybe after the run, she would ask him to her apartment where he had Dom privileges.
    Warren shifted in seconds. His wolf was huge. Dark gray fur would make him difficult to spot in the moonlight. She stepped toward him, sniffing him, rubbing her body against his side. He gave her one long lick before he threw his head back and howled.
    Unable to contain her happiness, she joined him. When she finally stopped, Warren was looking at her. She gave a little yip, then bolted. He was much bigger, and would cover the distance quickly, but Joy was fast. She always had been. She might not win the race, but she’d give him a run for his money.
    Joy didn’t bother looking back as she dashed into the forest. He was behind her. She could feel him as surely as she felt her muscles bunching and contracting as she ran. The sounds of the pack dispersed, but never quite went away. They wouldn’t stray far from their Alpha.
    She sniffed the air, finding the smells of the forest she’d missed so much since her arrival in Timmins. Trickling water sounded up ahead. Nothing major, maybe a creek, or a brook, but it brought memories of her old life back. When the days had gotten too warm for the young Akino wolves to stay indoors, the omegas had begged for some relief. She’d taken them all to the lake and let the kids play in the water. The sounds of their laughter still rang in her ears.
    Not paying attention, her paw caught on a root, and she stumbled. It wasn’t much, but it slowed her down enough that Warren caught up. His big body slammed into her, knocking her