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<title>Chapter Seven </title>
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<h3>Chapter Seven</h3>
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<p class="drop">
<span class="drop">“</span>Olivia?” Still no response from her. Resting one hand against the frame of her open door, Micah softly spoke her name again. She was so engrossed in her writing that she hadn’t heard him the first time. This seemed to be a pattern for them. She holed up in her room writing and him standing outside trying to get her attention. Still, he wouldn’t mind vying for her attention for a very long time to come.</p>
<p>Stepping closer, Micah said her name with more force. A startled curse rang from her lips as she jumped and knocked over a coffee cup. Fortunately for her laptop, it was empty.</p>
<p>His core sizzled when she hit him with those cornflower blue eyes. Pulsing in his jeans reminded him just how much he wanted this woman. He grinned. Now was definitely not the time to shift because while it was easy to hide his erection behind denim, he wouldn’t be quite as successful as a wolf. She’d have no doubt just how happy he was to see her.</p>
<p>“We need to talk.”</p>
<p>Her laugh threw him off until she explained. “Isn’t it the woman who’s supposed to say that? And the man is supposed to run howling into the woods?”</p>
<p>Answering her with a laugh of his own, he reached back to close the door then covered the distance between them in two easy strides. It felt so right to fold her into his arms and place a gentle kiss on her head.</p>
<p>“We were talking about something and got interrupted.”</p>
<p>Olivia grinned as she tilted her head up to look at him. “Yes, we get interrupted a lot, don’t we? But Talia is napping now. Want to finish what we tried to start?” She nipped at his chin.</p>
<p>“Olivia, you don’t know how much I want to take you to bed and bury myself in your sweet warmth. But we have to discuss the fact that you are different.” She stiffened in his arms but he tightened his hold on her.</p>
<p>“Different just like me, Olivia. Just like me. Sweetheart, you aren’t going to get what I tried to tell you, so I’m going to show you. Promise me you won’t run, okay? Promise you will watch what is going to happen and trust me. Can you do that for me?” He pressed another kiss to her forehead as she nodded at him.</p>
<p>Stepping back from her, he began to take his clothes off. A grin stole across Olivia’s face. “Really, Micah, you were scaring me a bit. If that’s your idea of foreplay, we really do need to talk.”</p>
<p>Micah didn’t answer. Concentrating his energy, he shifted into his large black and gray wolf body. Olivia’s face went white as she took a step backward.</p>
<p>“What the hell? Okay, that’s a pretty good parlor trick, Micah. Where did you go? I’m assuming this animal is tame?” Her voice rose in pitch as she continued moving until the backs of her knees hit the edge of the bed. “Micah?”</p>
<p>Shifting back took less time but Olivia’s jaw dropped even further. “This is not funny, Micah. What’s happening?”</p>
<p>Taking her hands, Micah knelt in front of her. “Liv, this is me. This is us. A monster didn’t kill your parents. You didn’t kill your parents. The shock of having you change in the backseat caused your dad to lose control of the car, but you were not responsible. You should have been with a shifter family. You should never have been with humans. You’re a shifter too, Olivia.”</p>
<p>Blonde hair skimmed her cheeks as she shook her head. “This is too much. Too much. What are you saying? Are you telling me that you can turn into a wolf? That you’re a…” Her voice shattered on the word. “Werewolf?”</p>
<p>Her sweet orange scent suddenly held an overlay of the sharp smell of fear. Micah wanted anything but that. He’d rather she’d rage at him than be scared of him. Filling his lungs with a deep breath, he nodded.</p>
<p>“Yes. Werewolf is one name for us. We prefer shifter since it doesn’t have the Lon Chaney factor built in. We are not murderers. We don’t eat children. We don’t usually steal sheep. We live and work among the humans without them knowing the truth of what we are.”</p>
<p>“We. You keep using we. I’m not like you. I don’t know why you think that, but I am not one of you!” Olivia tore her hands out of his as she scrambled to her feet. Pacing back and forth, she pointed a shaking hand at him.</p>
<p>“Why are you doing this? Who set you up to this? Are you supposed to make me think I’m crazy? Too late. I already know that.”</p>
<p>Micah’s throat tightened at the tears welling up in her beautiful blue eyes. Getting up off the floor, he walked toward her but halted when she threw a hand out to stop him. How could he get her to believe him? Her knowledge of her abilities was crucial.</p>
<p>If she didn’t know she could shift, she would go through life with black holes in her memory and the guilt of murder weighing down her future. Worse, she could injure someone if she didn’t know how to stay with her animal self. Shifters who let their animals rule were a danger to all-especially the Packs who wanted to live in secret.</p>
<p>If she refused to take control of her animal and stayed here with him, the local Pack would be well within their rights to order her exterminated for the good of all. As Alpha, even an unofficial Alpha, it would be his job to carry out that order. Micah’s hands fisted tightly as he tried to calm himself. Worrying about things that hadn’t happened, that he wouldn’t allow to happen, wasted precious time.</p>
<p>Then he realized that <em>telling</em> her again that she could become a wolf was futile. He had to show her. He had to use his power and trust that he was doing it for the right reason. He had to protect Olivia from herself.</p>
<p>“Olivia, will you come outside with me? I want to take you back to that clearing. I can prove my words to you there. It’s a special place. It’s where the Pack comes together during a full moon and other special times. It’s where we celebrate and where we play.” He poured everything he could into the request, hoping she would hear the truth and trust him.</p>
<p>
<em>Dear God. Go into the woods with a man who apparently isn’t a man?</em> Olivia questioned her sanity even as she nodded her agreement. For whatever reason, she trusted Micah. She’d always known there was something different, something wrong with her. Now here was Micah telling her-no, showing her-that there truly was more to this world than she had dreamed of.</p>
<p>Olivia paused a moment, fighting back a reluctant chuckle. Quoting Shakespeare only reminded her that she did dream of this. Every night she ran wild in her dreams. Wolves at her side. And if she were crazy, then she’d hallucinated the large wolf. She grimaced when she looked at the hardwood floor where a tuft of silver hair lay in mute testimony to the reality of what she tried to deny. <em>Wait a minute.</em></p>
<p>“That wolf the other night…the one playing in the snow. That was you?”</p>
<p>Micah’s smile warmed her from the inside out as he nodded. “I tried everything I could to get you to come outside. I’ve never felt quite so foolish.”</p>
<p>It hadn’t occurred to her that he might be taking a risk telling her about himself. She took a hesitant step toward him, hating the fear she felt. This was Micah. Yes, she’d only known him a few short days but it felt like so much more. The intensity-that scared her more than his changing into a wolf.</p>
<p>“I’m ready then. I don’t know what to think right now, Micah, but I know that I do trust you. Not sure why, but I do. Let me bundle back up.”</p>
<p>So fast it took her breath away, Micah stood at her side. His lips were warm and soft as he pressed a gentle kiss against her cheek.</p>
<p>“I know you think one of us is insane, but I promise you, neither of us is.”</p>
<p>She didn’t worry about the fact that he stood there while she changed. Hearing his breath speed up made her feel powerful in a way she had never felt before. She took her time slipping into the silk undershirt, even turning to face him when she zipped her jeans up over the silk pants. She could have sworn his tongue was about to loll out of his mouth. With a nod, she headed past him and down the stairs.</p>
<p>“Are we taking the sled?” Olivia went for the most mundane thing she could think of.</p>
<p>He shook his head and handed her a pair of skis. “I’m assuming you know how to cross-country? I know you did that article on it for that New York resort.”</p>
<p>Her head jerked in surprise and he laughed. “Yes, Olivia, I researched you before you came to my property. Here are your poles.”</p>
<p>The trip to the clearing was shorter because they didn’t have to stick to the winding path. Cutting through the trees, they sliced at the snow with skis and poles. Left ski, right pole then right ski, left pole-the kick and glide rhythm was easy to fall into. Olivia had forgotten how much work it was but reveled in the clear, crisp air.</p>
<p>She managed to work up a sweat with the sun warming her up in her layers of clothing. Finally the edge of the opening appeared before them and Olivia kicked her skis in toward one another to snowplow to a stop. Without a word from Micah, Olivia removed her boots from the skis.</p>
<p>“Okay. Now what?” Suddenly she thought about what she was doing. Out in the middle of nowhere with-she looked at Micah and took a deep breath. With a man she knew she could trust. He just smelled <em>right</em>. Shoving her doubts aside, she moved toward him until puffs of her breath caressed his face.</p>
<p>“Are you going to eat me now?”</p>
<p>Micah’s start of laughter elicited an answering one of her own. For a minute they let the silliness of the double entendre ring through the woods. Then Micah’s face tightened as his eyebrows drew together and his lips pursed in. He huffed out a breath as he looked into her eyes.</p>
<p>She marveled at the myriad colors swirling in his eyes. What she had mistaken for brown was more hazel than anything else. Light seemed to flicker in his gaze and Olivia forced herself to look away.</p>
<p>“Olivia, what is about to happen is going to scare you. I’m going to help you change. I’m going to show you what you really are. Are you ready?” He stroked her cheek, sending heat waves to her belly.</p>
<p>At her nod, he unzipped her jacket. “You’re going to need to be naked for this or you’ll ruin your clothes. I promise you won’t come to any harm and you won’t freeze.”</p>
<p>Olivia didn’t hesitate. <em>In for a penny, in for a pound.</em> She followed Micah’s directions, tucking her folded clothes into a tree branch. Despite his assurance, she couldn’t stop a shiver from coursing over her body and she could feel the cold, especially in her bare feet. “Okay, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”</p>
<p>He licked his lips as he scanned her body. She noticed a change in his smell and a tightness in his pants. Then he focused intently on her and her whole world shattered. Olivia screamed as her hands begin to twist on their own. Falling to her knees, she begged him to stop but the words didn’t come out right.</p>
<p>Her lips elongated as her jaw jutted forward. Reaching a hand up to feel her face, Olivia cried out when a paw shot up next to her. Only her cry came out as an unearthly howl.</p>
<p>Shuddering, she realized the world looked and smelled incredibly different. The colors were muted into shadows. Scents assaulted her nostrils until she wanted to bury her snout in the snow. <em>Snout?</em><em> SNOUT!!</em> Olivia jerked her head around to look behind her. A furry rump with a long flowing tail greeted her. Leaping up, Olivia whirled but the tail was gone.</p>
<p>A coughing sound caught her attention. Where Micah had stood was the black and gray wolf. He cautiously approached, bumping her with his nose. She shied away then realized she’d leaped a good ten feet from him. <em>Hey, that’s not bad! Wonder how fast I can run?</em> Before the thought fully left her mind, her feet dug into the snow as she propelled herself forward.</p>
<p>Air whipped around her but didn’t chill her. Olivia opened her mouth to give voice to the joy she felt. This was so very right-this was <em>her</em> right. The sound of pounding paws came from behind her and then Micah pulled up even with her. He shot her what could only be called a wolfy grin and surged forward. <em>Oh no you don’t, fella. I’m built for speed.</em></p>
<p>
<em>You are built for other things too and you’re the most gorgeous she-wolf I’ve ever seen, Liv. Run with me!</em>
</p>
<p>Olivia didn’t question his voice in her head nor did she answer it. Instead she poured energy into her run using every bit of muscle she had to gain ground on Micah. Finally she flipped her tail as she passed him. At the next large tree, she flopped down panting to wait for him. He came around the corner at full speed.</p>
<p>Snow flew everywhere as he skidded to a stop. Olivia waited for him to come to a complete halt before springing to her feet. Nipping at his neck, she shoulder-blocked him then hauled furry butt back toward the clearing.</p>
<p>The howls of pure male frustration spurred her to greater speeds. Micah didn’t catch her again until they were both nearly to the clearing. His body check came out of the blue, knocking her off her feet. She laughed in her head as she rolled through the snow to come to a standing position again.</p>
<p>
<em>Who’s the fastest, Micah?</em> She danced on her paws then bowed toward him.</p>
<p>
<em>You are, Liv, you definitely are. But then females are built smaller so they can run faster. Ready to go home?</em>
</p>
<p>Olivia shook her head at him. <em>Go home? This is home.</em> She wanted to run until she fell over. Chase rabbits. Plow through the snow and feel no cold. She never wanted to be human again.</p>
<p>Taking in a huge breath, she embraced the crisp pine mingled with other scents. Her ears toggled forward when she realized one of the scents was wolf and not familiar to her. Sidling toward Micah, she ducked her head under his neck. Touching him felt familiar. <em>Do you smell that?</em></p>
<p>Micah’s throat rumbled as his hair ruffled up along his neck. When he pressed his jaw against the top of her head, Olivia felt immediately safe.</p>
<p>
<em>It’s okay. It’s just Pete.</em>
</p>
<p>Olivia blinked. Just Pete? Was everyone here a shifter? Even with Micah’s assurances, she tensed when the other wolf entered the clearing. With his head down and jaws open, the smaller brown wolf turned his head slightly away as he approached.</p>
<p>No eye contact was made with her or Micah. Rolling over in front of Micah, exposing his belly, the other wolf-Pete-waited for something. Olivia didn’t know what, but suddenly his scent changed again and he leapt to his feet. He put his head on his paws, wagging his tail at Olivia next.</p>
<p>
<em>Welcome, Olivia Decatur, protected by Micah Keeps Vigil.</em>
</p>
<p>The formalness of the tone made Olivia stop for a moment. He made it sound as if she were a part of something. Allowing herself one mental sigh, she placed that feeling where it belonged. Deep in the department of long-lost dreams. There was no place for her to call home.</p>
<p>
<em>Micah tells me you won a race with him. Well done. I’m happy he has someone to challenge him now. Does this mean we will see you tomorrow night?</em> Pete dropped one eyelid at her in what could only be a wolf wink.</p>
<p>Dropping her jaw into a wolf version of a smile, Olivia wedged her shoulder against Micah’s. His solidness comforted her.</p>
<p>
<em>Thank you, Pete. It’s-ahhh-good to meet you again? Forgive me if I mess up. This is all new to me. What’s happening tomorrow night?</em>
</p>
<p>Micah’s voice rang in her head and she assumed Pete’s as well from the way his ears suddenly cocked forward. <em>Don’t worry about that, Olivia. You are vouchsafed by me with the Pack. Pete will alert them to answer any questions you have. We need to go back to the lodge now. Olivia, we’ll talk about tomorrow night when we’re back at the lodge. Thanks for bringing me the news.</em></p>
<p>The brown wolf trotted back into the woods as Olivia turned to look at Micah. He stood before her human and gloriously, stunningly, breathtakingly nude. Smiling down at her, he said, “You have to shift back now, Olivia. You need to do this on your own.”</p>
<p>
<em>I don’t know how.</em> Olivia sounded petulant even to herself. The idea of being a wolf forever was losing its appeal when the human side of her remembered Micah’s hands stroking her breasts and his mouth on her nipples. <em>Turn me back, Micah. I don’t know how.</em></p>
<p>Shaking his head, Micah pulled his jeans on then smoothed his hands down his legs. “No, Liv, I can but I won’t. You have the natural ability to control this yourself. Just focus on being human again. Grab that thought and hang on to it. Then let it flow over you until you return to two legs. I’m right here, sweetheart. Nothing bad will happen to you.”</p>
<p>His voice eased the trepidation beginning to take hold of Olivia. She knew she’d be sweating if she were human and realized from the tightness of her bladder that peeing in fear took on a whole new meaning in wolf form. Closing her eyes, she did as Micah said.</p>
<p>It felt as if she were putting a puzzle together in her head. Seeing her hands as hands first and then working her way through her body, Olivia panted in her desperation to return to human form.</p>
<p>“I can’t do it, Micah.” The sound of her voice gave lie to her words. Olivia opened her eyes to see her hands in front of her in the snow. Taking the hand he offered, she stood up, brushing snow from her knees as she did.</p>
<p>“You can and you did it beautifully. Nice job for your first conscious shifting, Liv. I’m proud of you. Now unfortunately, you’d better get dressed.”</p>
<p>Micah’s voice rang with admiration that made Olivia glow with pleasure. Then she stopped as she pulled on her shirt. One arm in and one arm out, she suddenly got it. She had transformed into a wolf.</p>
<p>“Oh my God.” Olivia shoved her arm into the shirt and hurriedly zipped up her pants. “I am a mons-”</p>
<p>“Stop right there.” Anger crackled through his voice. “If <em>you</em> are, then so am I and so are Pete and Gareth and even Talia. Do you believe that?”</p>
<p>Talia? The little girl’s face loomed in front of Olivia. She couldn’t reconcile that sweet innocence with that of a monster. And, she nodded, neither could she put Micah or his friends in that role.</p>
<p>“Micah, this is so hard.” Tears burned her lids as she fought to maintain control.</p>
<p>His arms around her destroyed her tight hold on her emotions. She sobbed against his sweater as he stroked her head and back. His voice vibrated his chest but she didn’t listen to the words-just held on to the emotions she could feel from him. Safety. Calm. Sanctuary. Desire.</p>
<p>Desire? Pushing herself back from his chest, Olivia tipped her face up to his in wonder. “You still want me?”</p>
<p>Breathing deeply through her nose, she smiled. Cinnamon raged spicy and sharp in his scent. Stroking a hand against his cheek, she smiled at him. “What is it about me crying that gets you all hot and bothered, fella?”</p>
<p>A shudder shook her when he stroked the back of her hand where it rested on his face. She felt as though she’d never been truly touched until this moment with this man. Rising up on the balls of her feet, Olivia wrapped her arms around Micah’s neck to pull him down to her. She wanted to fall into his luscious soft mouth and drown.</p>
<p>Micah’s responding groan along with the press of his erection told her all she needed to know.</p>
<p>“It’s my turn, Micah. I want you now.” Olivia reached for her zipper only to be stopped by Micah’s hand.</p>
<p>“Liv, it’s below freezing out here. You don’t know how to control your body temperature yet. We need to go back to the lodge.” Dipping his head, he tasted her again. “We need to go back right now so I can taste the sweetness I can smell between your legs.”</p>
<p>Micah stepped away from her and went for his skis. As he kicked the supports into place, he bit his lower lip and looked at her.</p>
<p>“I’d love to have you in the sauna. Hurry, Liv, before I explode.” His words floated back at her as he began to push toward home. Olivia scrambled to catch up to him. It took her a few minutes, but she did manage to draw even with him.</p>
<p>Shooting her a look that reminded her of the one she’d given him as a wolf, Micah bent his head as he put all of his muscles into what had suddenly become another race.</p>
<p>Her laughter split the quiet when she realized she was up to the challenge he presented in more ways than one. Olivia suddenly felt more at peace than she could ever remember. She gritted her teeth as she set her pace to catch up and try to pass the handsome man.</p>
<p>Even though she failed to win this race, Olivia felt like a champion since she was afforded a view of Micah’s ass and strong legs pumping up the path in front of her. Letting her mind wander as she followed, Olivia imagined the way those muscles would work as he stroked into her.</p>
<p>Smoke billowing from the main chimney was a welcome sight. Olivia kissed Micah in congratulations. “Well done, Micah! But next time, if it’s a fair race, I think I’ll win.”</p>
<p>His grin was infectious. “I don’t doubt that, Liv. A man has to take advantage where he can. You’re good on those skis. Your rhythm is very natural.” His voice dropped as he leaned in to whisper, “And I can’t wait to feel your rhythm under me. Come join me in the sauna, sweetheart.” Nipping at her chin, he shot up the steps and into the warmth of the lodge before she could think of a rejoinder.</p>
<p>Olivia stacked the skis against the porch then toed her boots off at the door. Padding in stocking feet, she eased the door open looking for Micah. No sign of him, but she self-consciously sniffed the air to catch his scent and follow him to the back of the lodge.</p>
<p>She went into her own room and removed all her outer layers. <em>Just to ensure there isn’t any interruption this time. I want to make love with Micah and the fewer clothes I’m wearing, the easier that’s going to be.</em></p>
<p>Slipping into a silky robe, she felt the material brushing against her semi-aroused body and bringing her senses to a fever pitch. Tightening the robe, she left her room and followed the discreet signs leading to the sauna.</p>
<p>This room more than any other gave off an old-world feel. Dark paneling lined the walls and the heat from the enclosed section in the middle of the room felt almost stifling. Olivia smiled at the trail of Micah’s clothing leading straight to the closed door.</p>
<p>The solid wood door stood as a silent boundary. Placing her hand on the door to push it open, she hesitated. If she went in, her life was going to change in more ways than just finding out she could grow a pretty tail. <em>It was a pretty tail. I wonder what I look like as a wolf.</em> Shoving that thought aside for later, she opened the door to the sauna. Steam billowed out around her and then Olivia caught her breath at the absolute feast set before her.</p>
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