He really didn’t think she’d join him in bed, the way she was so antagonistic, and he wasn’t sure that was a good idea anyway. But he wanted to offer, just in case she felt more comfortable staying with him.
Slowly, he started to open the door, but he met resistance as the door bumped into her. She was sitting in front of it, and he had to wait for her to back up a bit so he could open it further and let her out. She was so unpredictable, he wasn’t certain what she would do, and he tensed for the lunge. Instead, she brushed by him, tearing out of the bathroom, running in a couple of tight circles in his bedroom, then grabbing the hem of his boxers and giving them a tug, nearly pulling them off. Wolves had a hell of a grip. Then she released his boxers that now had teeth marks in them and dashed down the hallway to the living room.
Like a wild wolf, she raced around the couches. Before he could follow her, she tore back down the hallway into his bedroom.
Like a mad animal, she turned on the proverbial dime and raced back down the hallway. She needed to burn up some of that excess energy, and he was glad she wanted to just run and not attack him again. At least for now.
“When you’re done playing,” he said, tired and hoping that if he acted like this was no big deal, she’d settle down eventually, “you can join me or go back to your own bed.” He climbed back into bed and hoped she would feel better and wear herself out. Wolves didn’t like confinement. If running around the cabin got rid of some of her pent-up anger and frustration, so much the better.
He loved her howl, loved her beautiful, agile wolf form, and loved her high-spirited race through the house. If she broke something, it didn’t matter. Just as long as she didn’t injure herself in the process. He could envision taking her to the clinic and having to explain to the doctor how she had broken a leg.
Debbie raced up and down the hall, making hairpin turns in his bedroom as he folded his arms behind his head and watched her. The full moon shone through the uncovered windows. He hadn’t thought he’d ever witness a newly turned wolf running into his bedroom and out again. She looked as wild as any genuine wolf. He thought of running with her in the forest as wolves, enjoying the crisp cold night in their fur coats, but he didn’t believe she was ready for that. Not if they encountered a wild wolf pack or the hunter they still hadn’t caught.
She began to slow down, tiring, her running spirit spent. She was trotting at first, then walking, cooling down, her tongue hanging out of her mouth. She stopped to peer at him as he observed her. He didn’t smile because he knew how serious the situation was. How vulnerable her feelings had to be.
“If you want to join me, you’re welcome.” He wasn’t certain it was a good idea, but he would do anything to make her feel welcome in his life.
She still hesitated. Then, before she made the leap, he saw the sparkle in her brown eyes, the way she crouched and then sprang into action.
She jumped over him, startling him, landed on top of the bed with one huge lunge, but her jump was too strong. She ended up hitting the bed with way too much force and slid off the side, taking half the comforter with her.
He tried not to laugh, not wanting to embarrass her. But he could see learning her new wolf skills was going to take some time for her, and for him, to get used to. Those born as lupus garous learned their own strength as wolf pups, and their parents taught them limits on biting and roughhousing. With a full-grown wolf, it was going to take some work. She wouldn’t realize her own strength, and he was afraid she might hurt someone accidentally.
Which meant he’d have to turn into his wolf and teach her how to play. But not tonight. She needed to sleep. Hell, he needed to sleep.
She sat on the other side of the bed on the floor, waiting to see his response.
Still wearing a serious expression, afraid smiling would put her off because she’d think her action had amused him—which it had, but he was trying hard not to let on—he patted the bed. “Come on, Debbie. There’s plenty of room up here.”
She jumped up and landed in his lap. He groaned as her weight pressed against his groin. He hadn’t expected that or prepared for it. He didn’t think she’d planned it either.
She moved off him, then came around and licked his face—as kind of an apology, he suspected. This was much better. He ran his hand over her head and smiled a little. “If you need anything, just let me know.” He was still thinking of her needing to relieve herself outside, but he was praying that wouldn’t happen.
She moved around the bed, then around and around.