Chapter 12. An Unfamiliar Aroma

Her tears finally ceased, but neither of us moved. She lay supine between us, utterly still and relaxed. After several minutes passed in silence, he began to rise. She let out a small whine and rolled onto her back, turning her face toward him, her fingers tangling in his thick fur to hold him close.

He froze, mesmerized by her and by her Wolf erupting to the surface. Her once-mossy green eyes deepened into rich pine, and as her fingers sank into his coat, he shuddered. This was more than just a touch: it was the first time he’d ever been caressed by a woman’s bare skin. Though he’d tolerated other women when I occupied his body, he’d never cared for any of them when he was fully himself. But with Elizabeth, he ached for her warmth; he craved the feel of her skin on every inch of him.

She continued stroking his face gently, gazing up at him with transparent adoration from both her human self and her Wolf. Her love for him tore at me—not because my heart wasn’t big enough