27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Cain

S he shifted.

The relief that fills me is instant.

In all my years, I'd never seen, Hell, I'd never even heard of anyone responding to the shift that fast. Most transitions took anywhere from one to three hours.

I don't think she was out even ten minutes.

More like eight.

Eight. Fucking. Minutes.

Dante took almost sixty minutes, and I took about the same, but eight minutes. It had to be a record.

It also was the scariest moment I've had since I thought she'd taken a bullet on that field.

When I thought I'd lost her forever.

In the few minutes since watching her initial struggle to shift, that fear has only intensified.

Had I done something wrong?

Not given her enough?

The mind-link after helped ease some of my worry but didn't completely remove it.

It wasn't until her eyes flashed copper that I could finally relax. Once the command takes hold, she shifts seamlessly, and her wolf is beautiful.

With fur that's chocolate brown and freckled patches of black, she stands taller than most female wolves.

You're stunning.

I send in a mind-link to her when the glow of her eyes finally meets mine.

Bri: Mate.

She responds, and I know her wolf is pushing her out. She will learn to remain aware once she's done this more, but I would bet she won't remember any of her time shifted today.

My wolf pushes for control, and I allow him to speak to her.

Mate.

Very original, buddy.

His growl has me throwing my hands up in surrender as I pull off my shirt, wanting to run with her.

Before I shift, I open the cabin door, letting her out into the sunshine. Her movements are tentative as if she's testing her ability. Her coat shines in the sun, and my heart soars as I watch her scent the area.

The cold hits my skin, and I close the door behind me before allowing him to take over.

Once I'm shifted, I reach out, tugging on our bond and feeling her excitement.

Cain: Come on, Mate. Let's see how fast you are.

I send before taking off at a jog, hoping she will chase me.

The sound of her paws breaking the icy snow behind me tells me she does. Staying mainly on the path, I try to keep the route simple and steady, not pushing the pace to see how she does.

She falls into my rhythm, matching me stride for stride before overtaking me just a few minutes in and pushing the pace. Before she can get around me, I nip at her flank playfully and then allow her to lead.

She's fast.

Agile, graceful, and surefooted, but damn if I'm not struggling to keep up.

Bri: Should I slow down for you? You're breathing a little heavy there, big guy.

Cain: I'm fine

I respond, not liking how difficult maintaining her pace has become.

Bri: Of course, you are.

Her mind-link comes through just as she darts off the path and disappears.

Shit.

Nearly missing where she cut off the trail, I slide into a nearby trunk before having to regain my feet.

For the next thirty minutes, we play a large game of tag: me catching her before taking off. Her coming around to catch me. By the time we find our way back to the path, I'm panting and grinning from ear to ear.

My girl is perfect.

It's the most entertaining run I've had in years, and despite feeling like my legs might literally give out at any second, I can't wait to do it again.

When I reach the porch, I shift back, grab my shorts from where I left them, and turn to wait for her to do the same.

She circles the yard before lying down in a pool of sunlight in the front.

Watching her wolf brings me a sense of pride I've never experienced, and I don't think I could be more grateful that The Fates made her mine.

My Fated Mate.

My Firefly.

My Forever.

When I see that she's going to lay out for a while, I head inside to grab her some warm clothes and pull out a hoodie for myself. Before returning outside, I brew another pot of coffee and start the fire in the living room.

She's still basking in the yard when I come back out, and part of me wants to let her stay there, feeling out this part of her. The other part of me knows she needs to eat, and the longer she stays shifted the harder it will be for her to come back to me.

Cain: Time to come back inside before you freeze to death.

Bri: I can't even feel the cold.

Cain: Be that as it may, you need food and rest. It's been a big day.

Bri: Maybe later.

Cain: Come on. You need to shift back.

Bri: No

She replies, standing to face me. Challenge shining in fiery eyes.

Her defiance is both infuriating and hot, and I fight to keep myself from forcing her hand.

Cain: Mate…

Bri: She had twenty-two years. I think she can give me a few.

Cain: That is not how this works. You don't get to have complete control over her. It should be a partnership—a team.

Bri: Well it looks like she put me in coach, and I'm ready to play.

The second she says it, I swear she raises her eyebrow exactly like Bri does, and my patience dissolves.

Cain: Shift Back

The command flows out of me, and I step closer to her. Her head tilts, and she casually lays herself down, paws crossing in the front.

Holy shit.

Bri: Funny how genetics work.

She's a fucking Alpha.

More than that, she's stronger than me.

***

Four hours later, she's still a wolf, and I'm pulling my hair out.

She can't stay like this.

Can she stay like this?

Has anyone ever gotten stuck?

I reach back through every memory I have, and the few that have taken a while to shift have always been forced to through the use of command.

Well, that didn't fucking work!

Every fiber of my being wants to reach out to Dante, tell him what's going on. Find a solution. Hopefully before she actually freezes to death.

Thankfully, she's stayed close to the cabin, not venturing off into the woods again, but somethings got to give.

Setting my pride aside, I pick up the phone and call Ghost.

Maybe he has some idea I haven't thought of.

"I wonder if I'm going to need to increase my plan. All these calls are adding up," he says when he picks up.

"Apologies. We have a problem," I say, keeping my eyes on her as she paces the front area.

"You mean you have a problem," he retorts with a laugh. "What's going on?"

"I can't get her back," I say, defeat evident in my voice.

"You lost her?"

"No, I didn't lose her. I can't get her to shift back!" I say, irritated.

"So use command to force her," he says, like its the most obvious solution.

"Oh my gosh, what a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? Oh, wait! I fucking already tried. Her wolf basically laughed at my attempt," I say, anger flowing from me.

Silence follows my statement for several moments before uncontrolled laughter rolls out of him.

Oh, he thinks this is funny.

"Not sure your laughter is helping here," I state, glaring at the phone.

Catching his breath, he responds.

"Ha, I'm sorry, but the fact that you thought she wasn't going to be even more stubborn as a wolf is hilarious. Have you met her?" Laughter again. "Whew, thank you. I needed that after the night I've had."

"Happy to help… Now, do you have any useful suggestions?" I ask.

"You could knock her out with something. Subconscious her is much easier to deal with," he says, humor still evident in his tone.

"I'm not knocking her out," I say, rolling my eyes at the thought.

"Then your only option is food. The only time she ever shuts up or stops being snarky is when she eats. Lure her back with food. She especially likes chili," he says before disconnecting the call.

Food… It's not the worst idea.