Unleashed: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Two by Betty Legend (little bear else holmelund minarik .TXT) 📗

secluded section of the forest, so I can roam freely when I want. Because of the curse, I could only shift during a full moon, but after Selene and I mated,”—his hand strokes my back, and he looks at me with adoration—“I was once again able to shift freely.” Returning his attention to my mom, his cheeks redden. “Sorry for the directness. I grew up in a wolf shifter family. Discussing mating is as normal as discussing what’s for dinner.”

“It’s fine.” My mom shrugs, her half-tilted smile pleasant. “There’s no judgment from me.”

“Or me,” Rachel adds. “As long as you treat Selene well, and you’re not a dick, I’m going to like you.”

“We’re going to get along great then.” Killian’s infectious smile spreads wide. “Selene is my mate. I’ll always cherish her.” Pulling me down to him, he kisses me, his loving gaze rendering me speechless.

“You love my daughter, don’t you?”

Killian glances at my mom. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes,” Rachel chuckles.

Snuggling deeper into his arms, I breathe in his scent while his heartbeat is a comforting rhythm against my back.

“Am I welcome to stay at your home, Claire? I’d like to be with Selene.”

My mom looks at me, her mouth curling. “If it’s all right with Selene, it’s all right with me.”

“Definitely. Emeric is staying, too, so you know.”

Nuzzling his facial hair into my neck, he kisses me. “I figured he would be.”

“So how does the actual shifting work?” Adjusting her legs, Rachel brings her knees toward her chest, then rests her feet on the coffee table.

“Either when I will it to happen, or my emotions get the best of me, then my wolf takes over. My body morphs, becoming the form of the beast inside me.”

Rachel wiggles her feet, a telltale she’s excited. “Can you do it now?”

“Um, Rach, he has to be naked.”

“Oh,” she grimaces in disappointment.

Killian shrugs a shoulder. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”

I suppose if he’s not shy about his nudity, I don’t need to be, but it’s still awkward that my mom and Rachel might see his dick—his very large, thick penis he fucks me with. Of course, they’re both staring at me with hopeful expectation. I’m going to give them so much shit for this later.

I throw a hand in the air. “All right, have at it.”

Killian pats my ass, and I stand. Turning his back to us, he removes his shirt, and it falls as his strong back muscles flex while he’s unbuttoning his jeans. Rachel bites her lip and grins as his jeans and briefs come down, revealing a round, tight bare ass. My mom’s face reddens, and she half covers her eyes, still peeking through a slit between her fingers.

Extending his hands out in front of him, he transitions—skin turning to fur, nails becoming claws. Moments later, with four paws on the cement patio, he turns his massive wolf form toward us.

“Shit,” Rachel blurts, her lids lifting. My mom lowers her hand, studying him in detail.

“That’s extraordinary.”

Killian’s wolf form pads over to me, leaning his weight against my legs, marking me with his scent. He sniffs the air, his ears perking up. I look in the direction his eyes are staring. There’s a five-foot privacy fence around the patio and a couple of acres before the next house, so I don’t imagine there’s anyone out there.

“What is it? What do you smell?”

Killian’s wolf turns away from us, and within moments, his bare ass is in view as he reaches for his jeans and briefs.

“What did you smell?”

“Blood, a fresh kill from a wild animal.”

“How far away?” My mom’s brows furrow as she looks out into the darkness.

“A hundred yards or so.”

With them distracted, Killian finishes dressing. Standing from the couch, I settle back into his lap.

Rachel tucks the blanket farther up her body as the night grows cooler.

“That’s crazy you can smell blood that far away. What else can you do?”

“Hunt and kill quickly and efficiently, rapidly heal, create thunderous pulses against the ground that can throw enemies back many feet, as well as a few other tricks.”

“This magic soul bonding… it gives you both the same powers?”

“We already have the magic in us, but our bonds link our magic and give us a stronger connection and stronger magic,” Killian explains.

My mother tightens her sweater across her chest.

“What about the mated bond?”

“How about I tell you more inside? I can see you’re both getting cold.”

My mother smiles approvingly. “I’ll start the fireplace inside.”

Killian nudges me up.

“No, ma’am, I’ll start the fire.”

My mom rises from the chair. “Thank you, Killian, but it’s a gas fireplace. It starts with a remote.”

“Oh, well, if there’s anything else you need, I have no problem helping.”

My mom glances over her shoulder, her cheeks swelling. “I appreciate the generous offer.”

Killian turns back to Rachel. Seeing her baby bump, he gives her a hand getting off the couch. Ensuring we’re all inside safely, he returns for his duffle bag. As he hoists it over his shoulder, Emeric and Griffin step through a portal. Griffin gives a polite nod to Killian, then the three of them come inside.

Griffin separates from Emeric and Killian, then hugs me. The tingling warmth of his caress strokes up and down my back. My head tilts backward as I look up into his ocean blue eyes.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

The soft pressure of his kiss drowns me in decadent bliss. Putting his head against mine, he strokes my arms and back. I exhale a relaxed breath, happy to have his familiar and calming touch on my body.

With a warm smile, he flicks a finger under my chin and thumbs my lips.

“I’m glad you invited us to meet your family.” Putting an arm around my waist, he looks at my mom and Rachel, who are snuggled into the living room couch cushions, watching us.

“Thanks for having us. It’s a pleasure to meet you ladies.”

“Hi, I’m Selene’s cousin, Rachel.” She waves at Griffin, her legs already under another blanket.

Mom stands and shakes his hand.