Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Dustin shook out his thick fur and slowly came toward him, sniffing around Notalus’ thighs and groin. His eyes were darker now, almost espresso, as the beast looked straight at him as if he could see right through him. Notalus chuckled and gently reached up to brush his palm over Dustin’s head, running his fingers through the dense, soft fur that was so deep he couldn’t see his hand buried in it.
“No wonder you live on the borders of the property and you come all the way up here to shift and run.” Notalus cupped his hand beneath Dustin’s muzzle and lifted his head so he could look into the beast’s eyes. “You are a threat to every alpha down there.”
There was no hostility stirring between them as Notalus kneeled to the wolf’s height and ran both hands down the sides of his big body. “Dustin, you can still hear me in there, yes?”
Dustin didn’t nod his head or tilt it to the side like some curious dog, but the way he nudged his large snout into Notalus’ chest told him he very much understood him in that form. They got to know each other for a bit longer, meaning Notalus allowed the curious animal to sniff around him and their surroundings before he snuffed loudly and took off at a full sprint higher into the mountains. Notalus wasn’t much of a runner, but he knew a beast who was.
Notalus whispered on the wind for his stallion, and Joldryn appeared at his side, shaking his wild dark mane and rising up on his hind legs. His horse always loved the earthly realm and all of its unique wildlife that he didn’t get to see in Fhomhair. Notalus swung his robe behind him and mounted his horse, taking off into a spirited gallop, following the large paw prints left in the dirt. It wasn’t long before he caught up with Dustin, and Notalus laughed with mirth at the look of shock and then determination on the wolf’s face before he doubled his efforts and tried to run faster than Joldryn, which wasn’t humanly possible, but Notalus wouldn’t tell him that.
The two ran for miles with the cool afternoon air whipping by them, the animals testing and challenging each other, Dustin nipping at Joldryn’s long tail when he fell behind. When they were both good and tired—well, when Dustin was tired—Notalus slowed his pace until they were walking in silence. Every few steps, Dustin would nibble at the fallen blueberries, white acorns, or mushrooms on the ground. Notalus leapt off Joldryn’s back and hit the ground like a boulder, ushering his stallion to fly away until he called upon him again.
Dustin kept his back to Notalus while he dressed in his sweats and T-shirt. From what Notalus could see, the half man, half wolf god was a fine specimen, one of the most beautiful men he’d ever laid eyes on in the earthly realm. But to find out that Dustin was a descendant of an agricultural goddess, it all made more sense to him. Notalus had attempted to stay away from the Volkov pack because he could already sense his strong feelings for Dustin, but he didn’t understand the pull he had on him until he’d returned. It was time for Notalus to go back to Fhomhair, but he wasn’t leaving without what he could no longer live without.
“I thought shifters were not shy about their nakedness,” Notalus asked boldly, standing almost on top of Dustin when he turned back around.
He blinked and swallowed a lump that bobbed in his throat as he stared up at him in surprise. “We’re not,” he answered. “When the pack goes on a run, there’s a whole lot of rutting and roughhousing that happens, and no one ever worries about covering up.”
“Then why do you hide?”
“I don’t run with the pack. I prefer to run alone.”
“No wolf prefers to be alone. What don’t you want anyone to see?” Notalus couldn’t resist touching Dustin as he laid both palms on his broad shoulders.
Dustin tried to duck his head, but Notalus didn’t allow it. “Answer me.”
A slight warning growl rumbled in Dustin’s chest, but Notalus didn’t cower away.
Dustin licked his lips, drawing Notalus’ attention away from his smoldering brown eyes to his delicious mouth. “Me. I don’t want anyone to see me. My size is intimidating, and no matter what look I give to another wolf, it’s considered a challenge or demand for submission, when I’m asking for neither.”
Notalus still wasn’t sure he was getting the full truth—there had to be more, so he waited for Dustin to continue. As if he knew he wasn’t leaving those woods without confessing the truth, Dustin leaned against the thick bark of a hickory tree and started talking.
“I’m not going to say that I prefer to be a lone wolf or that I like running alone, but after the run, especially on a full moon, I’m no longer invited to join in on the rowdiness anyway. I suppose word got around to the unmated shifters after my first couple of runs here.”