Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 47

It was late when we arrived back at the air strip. While everyone was heading out of the jet, Warren tugged me back to him and I landed on his lap with a plop. 

"What's up?" I giggled. 

"Perhaps you will let me revel in the knowledge that you remain safe by my side?" he teased, raising one raven brow. 

I snuggled against him and mused, "You worry too much."

He wrapped both arms around me and sighed, and we drifted into contented silence until we heard engines start up. Warren kissed my forehead and released me, and I took that as my cue to head out as well. He was right behind me and the moment we appeared on the steps Axle saluted us, flicked the visor on his helmet and shot out.

"You guys coming or not?" Roger demanded testily, making Ashley giggle.

Warren's hand closed over mine and he twined our fingers, tugging me closer. His eyes were tender on me as he called, "We will join you on the morrow."

"What?" I asked.

He turned me to him, using the full power of those emeralds on me. "Stay with me tonight." 

I couldn't speak. My cheeks burned and the only thing I managed was a nod. 

He smirked and looked past me to Roger and Ashley. Ashley was looking at me worriedly but when our eyes met, she smiled widely and waved. I waved back and watched them drive off – then realized that there was no other car waiting. 

"So what're you up to?" I asked curiously. 

Instead of replying, he kept my hand in his and we went down the plane stairs and out of the hangar. The moon was barely up but it gave ample light for my night vision. 

"How is your shifting, my love?" Warren asked casually. 

"Um, I've pretty much nailed it by now," I replied, tucking my hair back. "Why?"

He'd been leading me into the fields surrounding the hangar but at my answer he let go of my hand and crouched, quickly shifting into the huge panther I was always so drawn to. I breathed a laugh as he gazed at me, then shrugged and leaned down to shift too. I was startled when the bag holding the dagger tumbled to the ground between my paws. 

"Love?" Warren queried.

"It's nothing," I said quickly, taking the bag in my mouth. "I'm good, let's go."

I could tell that he was holding back a laugh, probably thinking that I'd forgotten the bag while shifting. But as we raced into the forest, I was distracted by this puzzle. I had definitely kept both the bag and the dagger in mind as I shifted, so they shouldn't still be present in this form. Was that part of the dagger's magic? Did it simply resist everything about what made us shifters? I'd have to test that as soon as possible. 

Warren suddenly barreled into my side and I yelped, losing my balance. We tumbled a little way down a short slope and I ended up on my side. Warren had one paw gently pressing me to the ground as if to pin me there. I sat up and shook my head. He was actually laughing his head off at me!

"What the hell, Captain?" I grumbled. 

"You were wandering from me," he accused happily.

"And you chose violence?"

"I desire your full attention this night," he demanded, finally taking his paw off me.

"Don't you always?" I mumbled to myself. 

He pounced on me and I yelped but wasn't in time to keep him from closing his teeth over my shoulder playfully. He had me pinned again and there was a low growl in my ear as he demanded, "Care to repeat that?"