Free Undertow: Building Sanctuary, Book Two by Moira Rogers Page B

barely had time to kneel before the spark of magic in her flamed and grew, bringing the change in a rush of heat and power.
    In what seemed like moments, she stood on four legs, pawing impatiently at the floor. When he joined her, they could run, hunt.
    Strong fingers stroked her head and the fur at the back of her neck, and Victor chuckled as he reached for the door. “Run. I’ll catch you.”
    He didn’t have to tell her again. Wherever she ran, he’d find her, sniff out her scent and chase her down. She almost lost her footing at the thought, then launched herself past the tree line and into the woods beyond the small clearing.
    Almost immediately, gentle rustling and the scent of rabbit perked up her ears. She could stage a chase of her own, procure a gift for her future mate.
    And then they’d hunt together, make this tiny island their own as the full moon strengthened in the darkening sky.

    Victor ran them both hard.
    Part of it was the need to explore the boundaries of their new home. The island was large enough to support animals and a dense forest—good news for them in case they ended up having to stay until spring. The thick layer of snow on the ground made running a challenge, but it also made tracking fresh game laughably easy.
    They hunted under the full moon until Simone’s energy began to flag. She was a beautiful wolf, small and graceful and full of boundless enthusiasm. Satisfaction flooded him every time he looked at her, every time she came close and licked his chin or butted her nose against his jaw.
    She was his, and she knew it.
    Shifting back to his human form too soon would leave him feral and edgy, but staying a wolf too long would exhaust her. After a few hours, Victor began to herd her back in the direction of the cabin, willing to deal with his own discomfort to spare hers.
    She caught on, but stopped short with a yip, and he had to nudge her on before she moved again. She paused again as soon as they cleared the trees by the cabin, watching him carefully.
    He huffed and nipped at her flank, and she danced away and bounded to the door. He’d propped it open before shifting, so she had only to push it wide and run inside.
    Magic rippled through the air as he ran in, and he found her already kneeling by the banked fire, her pale skin glinting in the dim light. “We’ll have to stir this up.”
    Victor nudged the door shut and let her see to the fire. She had the advantage now. Freed from the call of the moon, she wouldn’t fall victim to it again unless fear or pain brought the wolf to the surface.
    He had a harder battle to fight. The moon hung heavy overhead and dug claws deep into his soul. The wolf struggled, demanding another chance to run and revel, to be free and wild.
    Long minutes passed before he knelt trembling on the floor, sides heaving with rough pants.
    “You didn’t have to come back in,” she murmured. “You could stay out. I’ll be fine.”
    “So will I.” Eventually. “I wanted to come with you.”
    The flames jumped and crackled as the fresh logs caught, and Simone stood slowly. “Can I help?”
    She was naked. Beautiful. His to take. Even with pain lingering in his body, his cock stiffened. “That depends. Do you still want me?”
    She tilted her head, and a coppery curl fell over her cheek. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want you.”
    The answer was everything he needed. He rocked to his feet and crossed the space between them, stopping a foot away to admire the wicked curves of her body. Full breasts, flared hips, soft, pale skin… “You’re so beautiful.”
    She closed some of the distance, her fingertips skimming his arms as her gaze drifted down his body. “So are you.”
    He had to make it worth the wait. He had to make up for every moment of pain he’d caused her, erase it all and leave pleasure in its place. The bed was close enough to the fire to benefit from its warmth, so he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the