“More than anyone in my whole life. Which, seems as how we’ve only just met, seems strange,” Kane said.
Frasier laughed. “Come on, let’s go get you two settled. My guess is you won't be getting much sleep tonight. The lion in him isn’t the only thing that is about to be uncaged.”
“What the hell does he mean by that?” Kane asked.
Amara hid her face again; her cheeks were flaming red at the thought of their first mating being here in the middle of this small settlement.
Maybe they should find a nice dry cave instead.
“Amara, why won’t you just tell me what’s bothering you? Is it because you think I might lose control when I change?” Kane asked.
“A little,” she said. “But maybe not in the way you think.”
“Then in what way?” Kane asked, they were alone, Frasier had gone to fetch the key to their cabin, and they were waiting by the truck with their luggage.
“OK. Part of being a shifter is this thing where we know who our mate is.”
“Your mate. You mean like a husband or a wife?” he asked.
“Yes, but it’s maybe a little stronger than just fancying someone. It’s more like you are connected on some deeper level.”
“Like love at first sight. I think I understand, because when I saw you under the moonlight, I had this feeling. I can’t explain it, but I felt a connection between us.”
“Right, but however you felt then, once your bracelet is off, once my collar is removed, well—it will be ten thousand times stronger.”
“Love at first sight, times a thousand. Wow, humans don’t know what they are missing.”
“What I’m not sure of, is how much control we are going to have.”
“You mean over our feelings?”
“I mean over our bodies.” She looked at him nervously. “Your body in particular.”
“You mean you're scared I’m going to force you … into sex.”
That word, on his lips, was like an aphrodisiac. Her body awoke, tendrils of desire threading through her veins.
“No, she means she’s not sure if you're going to throw her to the floor and fuck her in front of everyone here,” Frasier said coming back with the key. “Sorry, my bear can hear very well.”
“Is that it?” Kane asked. “That is what you are frightened of?”
“Yes.”
“I won’t lose control,” Kane said confidently.
“Kane, you have worn that bracelet all of your life, you have no idea just how strong the urge will be,” Amara said.
“Whatever happens, I won’t hurt you, Amara.” He touched her cheek, stroking it lightly, this time the electric current passing between them ignited a flame of desire deep inside her, that kindled and then flared into life.
“I know,” she said, her body reacting to his words in a very sensual way.
“This has got to be the weirdest, messed-up world ever,” Kane said.
Frasier slapped him on the back with his huge hand, spoiling the moment. “Yeah, but it’s also the only place in the world you’ll ever feel at home in once you change. Isn’t that right Amara?”
Amara lifted her head and took a breath of air, wanting to be free to run as her lion. “Yes, it is. Shall we get started?”
13
“Do you think this is far enough?” he asked.
After dumping their bags in the small cabin, Amara had been eager to get out into the foothills and help him release his lion. Kane wasn’t quite so eager. The thought of getting stuck as a lion and never being able to turn back into his human form was scary.
“Yes. I think so,” Amara said. They stood together, looking out over the valley below. The small group of cabins were hidden from view along the lower slopes, and in front of them all they could see was a vast plain, with animals dotted here and there. Some were lying in the sun, some running; they couldn’t make out what species they were, but by their movements he could tell they weren’t your usual cattle or sheep.
“They just go where they want?” Kane asked.
“Within reason. There are territories, pride lands, my pride has its own valley and plain, and if any other herd tried to take it, then our leader would fight for it. But mostly those things are in the past. Most people have settled down and are simply trying to make a new life for themselves and their families.
“So much to learn,” he said, feeling tired. “How am I supposed to go and take back my father’s pride lands if I don’t even know how everything works?”
“Your uncle gave you the basic knowledge, the life lessons you need. You will rule in the same way you run a company,” she said, reassuring him.
“Only I have to defeat a big old lion first,” he said. A thrill of excitement was beginning to grow inside him, at the thought that he was about to experience his own lion for the very first time.