Chapter 23

Sam

Meg came back out of the bathroom pensive and thoughtful. I couldn't read her expression but wanted to know what was going on behind those hazel eyes.

"Did you like being more in control once you shifted?"

Her head came up. "Definitely. I like being the one in control of myself," she replied dryly with a twist of her lips. "Sam," she started. I raised my eyebrows, encouraging her to continue. "I've never actually seen your wolf."

Wolf jumped around inside me like he was on steroids. I hadn't let him out in three days, which was three days too long for him. I needed to let him out, but I hadn't, putting Megan's needs above my own discomfort. I hoped she was asking me to show him to her, to share this intimate piece of me.

"Do you want to?" I asked, biting back hope.

"Do you mind? I am a little curious." She smirked. "In fact, I suppose I can't even be sure you are a werewolf." She was teasing me. Sarcastically, sure, but I took this as a good sign as a smile tipped my lips. I shushed Wolf, another few minutes, and he could be free.

"I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I need to let him out." Surprise flashed across her face, slowly coming to the realization that I'd been denying my wolf. Smiling, I took my turn in the bathroom while Meg went to sit on the couch.

I stripped, more eager than I'd been in years to let the wolf out. Without another thought, I leaned my shoulders back, letting them roll and pop as they moved back into my spine, my limbs lengthening and shortening, cording up with hard muscles. Resisting the urge to let go and howl, I pointed my nose to the ceiling and let myself have a tremendous shake. My silver-white fur rippled, and I shivered at the pleasure of feeling it and not my skin.

Anxious and proud to show myself to Megan in this form, I hesitated only a second before exiting the small room and coming into the light of the kitchen.

"Ooh," Meg breathed, her eyes like saucers, as fear, uncertainty, and…was that appreciation? lingered on her face.

She didn't say anything, and I slowly padded over to her seat on the couch. My head reached her shoulders as she sat, and with the slightest tilt of my head, we were eye to eye. Her hand raised, and then stopped midway. Was she going to touch me? I bobbed my head under her hand, relishing her fingers on the silky fur behind my ears. No wolf would admit it, but it was a weakness a lot of us shared. We loved having our ears scratched.

An appreciative whine came out as she scratched down a little lower.

"Aside from being terrifyingly large, you aren't that scary. I was afraid you would be."

Her face had relaxed a measure, and I was glad for it. I sat, enjoying her hand on my head for a full minute before she jerked her hand away.

"Sorry, I guess that's kind of like playing with your hair."

As if I would mind either way.

A quick knock at the door saved us any further awkwardness. It was Raven. I could smell her.

"Because this isn't going to be weird," Megan mumbled as she got up and went to the door.

"Um, hi, Raven."

"Hi, Megan," Raven replied, curiosity banked. "I've got the groceries. I'll just bring them in."

"Let me grab some shoes, and I'll help you. I can't thank you enough for doing this."

"It's no problem at all. We do stuff like this for each other all the time," Raven implied the pack without actually coming right out and saying, which I appreciated.

I ran back into the bathroom and shifted back regretfully, promising Wolf he could come out again soon, and threw my clothes back on.

"Hi, Sam," Raven said around an armful of groceries.

"Raven. Thanks. I'll get the rest."

"Okay, there's not a whole lot more," she answered as Meg came in behind her with a few more bags.

Her eyes were glazed. She had a one-track purpose now.

Raven didn't stay to chitchat, and within five minutes of the door closing, Meg had items laid out on the counter, plotting some demise for each of them as she grouped them together and organized her battle strategy.

"Meg?"

"Hmm?" She didn't turn around as she dug out a new set of measuring cups and spoons and put them in the sink.

"Do you mind if I let my wolf out for a little while longer? I'll stay here in the cabin in case you need me."

She paused and turned. "I don't mind." She hesitated. "Did you not shift because of me the past few days?"

I nodded, unsure how to answer her.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"It's fine. If it had been dire, I would have found the time. You needed me in skin." The slightest blush stained her cheeks. She nodded and went back to sorting her items on the counter.