Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
I kissed his forehead and told him how much I loved him as he caught his breath. I flinched when Brandon gasped and exclaimed, "Talon, look!"
I followed his gaze and smiled; from my chest emerged floating specks of red light, appearing as the seeds of a dandelion blowing in a breeze. "Spirit lights," I whispered in reverence. "They appear when a fated couple bonds, and represent the core characteristics of each mate, and what we need from each other. Red is the color of passion, courage, and protection."
"They're so beautiful." He smiled as he watched them bob and sway between us. "What do I do?"
"Breathe me in."
Brandon took a deep breath, and the specks floated between his lips and disappeared. Then, dancing orbs of yellow light emerged from his chest.
"Yellow signifies creativity and kindness," I explained, and breathed in the lights, taking them into my lungs. Brandon and I watched in awe as our chests glowed with soft orange lights - the combination of the best parts of ourselves - before they dimmed away. "We are forever connected," I whispered to my mate. "I love you so much."
Brandon batted his glassy eyes when replied, "I love you too."
We kissed and cuddled on the rocky river bank until the growl of my stomach cut into our beautiful moment.
"We better get you home so you can eat Cedric's muffins," Brandon suggested before huffing a laugh. "I can't believe all of those guys are lions."
"I'll blow your mind even more; Cedric can get pregnant." Brandon just stared in disbelief until I snorted and patted his shoulder. "Come on, let's get rinsed off before we head home." He shook his head and followed me to the water's edge, where we cleansed the sticky seed from one another.
After Brandon pulled on his underwear and jeans, he gave me a curious look and asked, "Can I see your lion again? I was too scared to get a good look the first time."
"Of course, sweetheart. Just remember; it's still me. I'm in control no matter what form I'm in. I can't speak when I'm in lion form, but I can understand you just like when I'm in human form. Are you ready?"
He pulled on his sweater, placed his glasses on his face and stepped into his shoes. "I'm ready." His jaw dropped and his eyes bulged as he watched my body morph and bend until I stood before him as a strong, proud lion.
"Holy shit," he breathed as he slowly approached me. "Does that hurt?" I shook my head no and he smiled. "Good." Brandon lowered himself onto one knee and examined my face and mane. "Talon, you're gorgeous."
I nudged his nose with mine and nuzzled our cheeks together as he laughed. Brandon hugged me around the neck and a happy rumble sounded in my chest. "Oh my god, I knew you could purr!" I chuffed a laugh and he hugged me tighter. "Do it again!"
He hummed his approval when I purred even longer. "I want to fall asleep to that sound every night." Brandon pulled back and looked at me with an awestruck gaze. "I get to sleep with you every night." My mate was adorable; I'd just shifted into a different species and bit a claiming scar into his neck, but he still had butterflies over sharing a bed.
Brandon narrowed his eyes in confusion when I grunted and tossed my head to the side. "I don't understand." When I lowered my stomach to the ground and jerked my head again, a wide smile spread across his lips. "Are you serious?" I nodded and he climbed onto my back. "Holy shit, I'm riding a lion. This is so cool!"
I chuffed again and when I was sure he had a good grip, I stood up and took off like a shot towards the lodge. My paws kicked up dirt as I pounded down the path, leaping over fallen branches while Brandon cheered and squealed on my back.
When we reached the clearing where the lodge sat, I planted my paws on the ground, threw back my head and let out an earth-shattering roar. Within moments, the rest of my pride burst out onto the porch. When they saw Brandon perched on my back, they whistled and applauded before running over to give my sweet mate hugs and officially welcome him into the pride.
It no longer bothered me when my friends showed him kindness or even touched Brandon, because he was bound to me. He was mine for all of eternity; nothing or no one could ever come between us.
While the group continued to hug my mate, joyously celebrating our bond, I shifted and jogged over to the treeline to pull on a pair of sweatpants from the box. My other clothes were still in the forest, but I'd get them later.