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  When he was done, Luke came over to stand in front of her. He was bigger than she was, and he had to bend his head a little to touch his nose to hers. The contact was nice and she rubbed her nose against his. A moment later, she felt Luke’s wet tongue on her muzzle as he licked her face. Wagging her tail, she rubbed up against him.

  Licking her face again, Luke jerked his head toward the forest, then took a few steps in that direction before turning to look at her over his shoulder. Realizing he wanted her to follow, Heidi started after him.

  Heidi noticed that Luke kept his pace slow so she could keep up, but within minutes, she was trotting alongside him through the trees.

  Luke hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said that being a wolf was amazing. It was exhilarating. As they ran through the woods, jumping over downed trees and following trails of different animals, Heidi realized that her eyesight was even sharper in wolf form. Not only could she see more clearly, but she could see further, too. She could also smell better. While she could differentiate between each individual scent in the forest, she couldn’t identify them all yet. But she bet that would come with time.

  Her hearing was so good, it was almost scary. She could hear every little animal as they scurried around, and she figured she could probably close her eyes and track every one of them just by the sounds they made.

  Heidi didn’t know how many hours they spent frolicking in the forest, but by the time he led her back to the clearing, she was more than ready to lay down on the blanket and put her head on her paws. She was worn out. Luke leaned down to lick her face again, but rather than lay down beside her, he took a step back. A moment later, he was transforming back into human form.

  She lifted her head from her paws, perking her ears, and giving him a questioning look. He had said that her body would transform back when it was ready. But now that Luke had changed back, she was eager to as well. But what if she couldn’t change back? What if she was stuck like this? He must have sensed her impatience because he reached out to run a soothing hand over her fur.

  “Just relax. Your body will change back soon. But only when it’s ready,” he said softly.

  Relax. Easy for him to say. After all the fun they’d just had, she had a ton of things she wanted to talk to him about, not to mention questions she wanted to ask. But knowing she couldn’t do that if she was a wolf, she decided to take Luke’s advice and relax. Putting her head down on her paws, she closed her eyes and lost herself in how good his hand felt stroking her fur.

  Changing from a wolf back into her human form was easier. Then again, maybe it just seemed that way because she was much more relaxed than she had been before. One minute, Luke was running his hand over her fur, and the next he was caressing her bare skin. There was some discomfort, of course, but not really anything like before. Heidi opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her.

  “So, what did you think?” he asked as she sat up.

  She pushed her hair back from her face with a smile. “You were right. It was amazing!”

  He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears. “How do you feel?”

  “Wonderful,” she said, before leaning forward to give him a kiss. “Absolutely wonderful!” She blinked as she suddenly became aware of a familiar tingling between her thighs. “And…aroused. Is that normal?”

  He chuckled. “I can’t speak for other werewolves, but based on my experience, I’d say that it’s completely normal, yes.”

  “So you’re…” She looked down to see his cock standing proud and erect between his legs. Her pussy quivered at the sight. “Yes, I see that you are.”

  She ran her hand down his chest and over his abs to caress his cock with her fingers. He sucked in his breath at her touch.

  “You know,” she said, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I had all these questions I wanted to ask you.” She kissed him again, this time on the opposite side. “But I’m thinking now that they can wait.”

  He slid a hand in her hair to hold her still so he could draw her lower lip into his mouth and suckle on it. “Are you sure?”

  She moaned against his mouth, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders. “I’m sure. Believe me, I’m sure.”

  Luke didn’t ask again. Instead, he tightened his hold in her hair and closed his mouth over hers with a husky groan. As his tongue tangled with hers, Heidi wrapped her arms around his neck to bury her hands in his thick hair. God, she’d never get enough of him.

  He lifted his head to gaze down at her, his eyes almost iridescent in the moonlight. “Get on your hands and knees,” he commanded softly.

  Pulse quickening, Heidi did as he asked. It was the perfect position considering the night they’d just had. While it wasn’t the first time they’d done it like this, there was something about doing it outside in the middle of the forest that made it seem sexier and more primal.

  When he grasped her hips, she looked over her shoulder at him and their gazes locked. Then, with one swift motion, he slid all the way inside her.

  Even though she was completely wet and ready for him, Heidi still gasped as she felt his thick cock fill her pussy.

  Unlike their lovemaking that morning on the deck, which had been slow, this time Luke took her fast and hard, and as he pumped in and out of her, Heidi found herself crying out over and over. She felt so free and alive that she couldn’t have contained her screams even if she had wanted to.

  “Oh God, harder,” she cried. “Just like that. Harder!”

  Luke responded, pounding into her so forcefully that she had to brace herself to keep from falling forward. Of course, his firm grip on her hips kept her coming back for more. It felt so wonderful that she thought she was going to pass out from the pure ecstasy of it.

  Luke came only seconds after she did, and as his hot cum poured into her, she cried out her pleasure loud enough for the entire forest to hear.

  They both had been so aroused that their lovemaking had only taken mere minutes, but it was the most intense pleasure she had ever experienced, and as she lay in his arms afterward, all she could think about was turning into a wolf again as soon as she could so they could make love exactly the same way.

  Chapter 10

  Heidi woke the next morning to find sunlight streaming through the trees. Squinting, she blinked up at it and wondered absently what time it was. Since the sun was just barely visible, she guessed it must be early.

  She stretched, feeling totally refreshed and relaxed. Hard to believe after last night. After making love, she and Luke had cuddled together talking for what seemed like hours. The whole night had been absolutely perfect.

  She couldn’t believe how lucky she’d been to stumble upon Luke. Though she supposed it would be more accurate to say that he had stumbled upon her. If the other werewolf hadn’t bitten her that day, she and Luke probably would never have met. So, in an odd way, she supposed she should be grateful to him, whoever he was.

  Stifling a yawn, Heidi stretched again, her body brushing up against Luke. He stirred beside her, and she lifted her head from his chest to smile down at him.

  “Good morning,” she said, before leaning close to kiss him.

  He slid his hand in her hair, deepening the kiss. “Mmm, good morning to you, too,” he said. “How’d you sleep?”

  She smiled. “Great, actually. I thought I’d be a little cold, but I was nice and warm. I suppose you probably had something to do with that.”

  He chuckled and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Bed warmer is just one of the many services I provide.”

  Heidi laughed. “That’s the kind of service I can definitely get used to.” She kissed him again then let out a sigh as she stretched again. “But I could use a shower. And a toothbrush. How about you?”

  He grinned. “I’m up for anything that involves getting naked with you.”

  “Mmm,” she moaned as he nuzzled her neck. “I like the way you think.”

  As they got dressed a momen
t later, Heidi glanced up from buttoning her shirt. “Last night was amazing,” she said.

  Luke’s mouth quirked as he pulled on his T-shirt. “Which part? Changing into a wolf or the sex we had after we came back from the run?”

  She laughed. “Both. Though I was talking about changing into a wolf. I still can’t believe how incredible it was.”

  He smiled. “I somehow knew that being a wolf would agree with you.”

  She watched as he picked up the blanket and shook it out then tucked it under his arm. “Do you think we can come out tonight and do it again?”

  Luke’s brow furrowed. “We can try, but it probably won’t work. The first change is really exhausting on the body, and it will usually take a while before you’re ready to do it again. But if nothing else, we can start working on teaching you how to control it so you can turn whenever you want.”

  “Like you do, you mean,” Heidi said as they made their way through the trees and back to the house. “How do you do that, anyway?”

  He glanced at her. “It’s all about relaxation and concentration, really. Do you remember that funny tingling you felt in your stomach right before the change?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Well, that tingle is sort of the trigger that you can use to turn yourself into a wolf whenever you want. I don’t really know what it is, but now that you’re a were, that feeling will always be there if you know what to look for. So first, I’ll help you learn how to find that trigger. Then it’ll be just a matter of drawing on that feeling and letting it envelop you. When I first learned, it really helped me to visualize myself as a wolf while I focused on that feeling in my stomach. You can’t really force it to happen, you just have to let it happen. But we’ll find the right technique that works for you. Once you let it take you, the change occurs pretty much on its own after that.”

  It sounded so simple, but she was sure it wasn’t. She was eager to learn how to do it, though. She didn’t want to have to wait until the next full moon to go running with Luke again. Maybe she would ask him to start teaching her after they took a shower. And had something to eat. She was famished.

  They had just walked into the house and were about to head into the bedroom when her cell phone rang. Heidi was tempted to let whoever was calling just leave a message on her voice mail, but then decided it would be easier to simply answer it. Hurrying over to the couch, she reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. Flipping it open, she held it to her ear.

  “Hello.”

  “Heidi? Thank God you answered! This is Anita Teeland. Sukie’s mother. Is she with you?”

  Heidi’s brow furrowed. “No, but I’m not at home. Did she tell you that she was going to be with me?”

  On the other end of the line, Anita let out a sigh. “No. I just thought—hoped—she was with you. She’s missing.”

  “Missing?” Heidi echoed. “What do you mean, missing?”

  “I hope not, but…” Anita’s voice caught on a sob. “She spent the night at a friend’s house and was supposed to be back this morning so we could go shopping for new school clothes, but when she didn’t come home, I called her friend’s mother and she told me that Sukie had left their house early this morning. She had ridden her bike, so I went outside to look for it, and I found it just lying on the grass along with her backpack. She’s always so careful with her things. She would never just throw them on the ground like that unless…”

  Unless someone had grabbed her. The same panic that had Sukie’s mother in its grip taking hold of her now. “Have you called the police?”

  “Not yet,” Anita said. “I wanted to check to see if she was with you first.”

  “Okay. Listen, why don’t you go ahead and call them?” Heidi suggested. “I’m at Luke’s house right now, but I’ll be there as soon as I can. Just try to stay calm. I’m sure Sukie’s fine. We’ll find her.”

  At least she hoped Sukie was fine. Flipping her phone closed, Heidi dropped it back in her purse and turned to Luke.

  “Sukie’s missing?” he asked before she could say anything.

  Heidi didn’t even question how he had been able to hear her conversation with Anita. “Yeah. Apparently she stayed over at a friend’s house last night and didn’t come home.” She glanced at him over her shoulder as she started for the bedroom. “I told her mother that we’d come over and help out with the search.”

  “Actually, it might be better if you stay here,” Luke said. “I’ll go.”

  Stopping, Heidi turned to look at him in confusion. “What? Why?”

  “Because it’s possible that the were who attacked you also grabbed her.”

  She blinked. “What would make you think that?”

  He ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. “I didn’t mention it to you the other night because I didn’t want to scare you, but I’m starting to think that he’s been stalking you ever since he bit you.”

  She frowned. “Why would he do that?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m still trying to figure that out.”

  “But why grab Sukie?” Heidi asked. “What does she have to do with this?”

  Luke shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe he tried to break into your apartment again and she saw him. Or maybe he has been following you long enough to know that you two are close. Maybe he wants to use her to get you to come out of hiding. Which is why I want you to stay here where you’ll be safe. I’ll go look for Sukie.”

  Heidi watched as he picked up his wallet from the counter and shoved it in his back pocket. “Wait a minute, Luke. Sukie may be in danger because of me. I’m not going to just sit here and do nothing.”

  He reached out to cup her cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to her, Heidi. I promise. Now, please say you’ll stay here where it’s safe. I won’t be able to find her if I’m worried about you.”

  She chewed on her lower lip, not liking the idea of him confronting the other werewolf on his own. “What about you? If you’re right, and that other werewolf does have Sukie, you could be in as much danger as she is.”

  The corner of his mouth curved. “I think I can handle myself a little better than Sukie can,” he said, before bending his head to kiss her gently on the mouth. “I’ll give you a call the moment I find out anything.”

  He gazed down at her for a long moment, then grabbed his keys from the counter and started for the door.

  “Luke.”

  He turned to look at her, his hand on the doorknob.

  “I…” she hesitated, the rest of what she wanted to say stuck in her throat. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but now just didn’t feel like the right time to say it. She wanted it to be special when she did. “Just be careful.”

  He flashed her a grin. “Always.”

  After he left, Heidi stood there in the empty kitchen, listening as the garage door opened, then closed. Now that she was alone with her thoughts, they immediately started running wild. What if Luke is right and this is some kind of trap? What if Sukie is already dead? Oh God. She didn’t even want to think of that. Dammit, she should have gone with him.

  Muttering under her breath, Heidi turned and hurried into the bedroom, unbuttoning Luke’s shirt as she went. Tossing it on the bed, she quickly put on her bra and panties, then pulled on jeans and a T-shirt. She was halfway out the door when she realized that her car was back at her apartment. She’d completely forgotten about it. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  She threw her purse down on the couch. “Dammit!”

  Heidi chewed on her lower lip, wondering if she should call a cab when the doorbell rang. Startled, she whirled around to stare at the front door, her heart pounding in her chest. She really needed to calm down.

  Shaking her head, she walked over to the door and looked through the peephole, only to frown when she saw the park ranger Ryan Ackerman standing on the other side of it. Unlocking the door, she pulled it open.

  “Ryan!” she said. “What are you doing he
re?”

  That came out sounding rude. He didn’t seem to notice.

  He gave her a smile. “I ran into Luke in town and he said something about you guys being worried about that girl you teach art to, Sukie? That you think she’s missing or something?”

  “Yeah, that’s right.” Her brow furrowed. “You and Luke know each other?”

  Ryan nodded. “Fish and Game work pretty closely with the rangers up in Chugach.”

  “Oh.” She reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. “So, what about Sukie? You haven’t seen her, have you?”

  “Actually, I just picked her up on the road on the way out here. She’s out in my truck right now.”

  She glanced at his extended-cab pickup sitting in the driveway, then looked back at him in confusion. What would Sukie be doing all the way out here? She was about to ask Ryan that same thing when she picked up his scent. Her eyes went wide. Ryan Ackerman was the werewolf who had attacked her. “Oh, God.”

  Ryan smirked. “Wow, that took a while. I was wondering when you’d finally figure it out.”

  For a moment, Heidi just stood there, frozen in place. Then pure survival instinct took over and she tried to slam the door in his face. But Ryan anticipated the move and put his arm against the other side, shoving it open with such force that she was thrown back.

  Heart pounding, Heidi turned to run, only to have Ryan grab her arm and yank her back. Desperate to get away from him, she tried to pull free, but her increased strength was no match for another werewolf, and she cried out as he tightened his grip on her arm and began to drag her out the door.

  “Why are you doing this? Where are you taking me?” she demanded as he steered her down the steps and across the lawn to the pickup parked in the driveway. Oh God. She couldn’t let him get her inside his truck. If she did, she’d never get away from him. Panicking at the idea, she renewed her struggles, trying to yank her arm free of his hold.

  “Stop it!” he ordered, tightening his grip. “Dammit, Heidi, I don’t want to hurt you.”