Moonstruck

Chapter Seventeen

*Zev*

"Liana?" I knelt down, putting my arms around her. I looked up at the adults. "What's happening?"

"It's all hitting her at once," Lorelei said in concern.

"Zev, she's going to shift. Her wolf has been contained for so long, she won't be able to control herself." Konrad warned.

Now that she was free from the amulet that had hindered her, I knew for sure she was my mate. Moonstruck hit me and I could scent she was my true mate. Everything seemed to be still and all I could see was her. She was my forever, my air, my world. My wolf was screaming it, demanding me to help her. Demanding to claim her, to bite her so my scent would forever be on her. I sucked in a breath, trying to control myself.

*Liana*

I felt my body begin to change and I looked into Zev's eyes pleadingly. Mate. My eyes widened as I took in his scent. Mine! Something snarled in me. For a moment, I felt no pain, all I could see and feel was him. He was my everything. I was aware of no one else, only Zev. I wanted to be claimed by him, marked as his. I wanted to mark him as mine so everyone would know he belonged to me. Then the moment faded as another surge of pain hit me and I gave another cry as bones seemed to twist and break and I dropped on all fours. I could hear the others talking, telling me I would be okay, to keep calm.

I shook my silvery white fur and looked up. Wait, fur? I looked down to see paws. Paws! I was a wolf! Finally, free! I let out a howl and took off, not sure where I was going but wanting to run. I didn't notice Zev beginning to shift as I jumped out the open window and headed for the woods.

I could smell the leaves, hear the stream of water nearby. I could hear the animals walking and when I saw a rabbit, I gave chase. Free! Free! The ground felt wonderful under my paws. My wolf was taking over and I felt strong as I ran so fast I was almost flying. This was everything I could ever want and I gave a satisfied howl into the wind. I halted when a black wolf jumped in front of me. I snarled. However, my snarl was nothing compared to his. He stood taller, was bigger and had an air of authority. I had a sudden urge to cower, or to offer my neck in submission but I also felt defiant, wanting to run and not be interrupted. I snapped my sharp teeth at him.

The black wolf flattened his ears in anger and growled warningly.

I snorted and turned around to start running again. Where did that rabbit go? Hey, was that a squirrel?

The black wolf moved quickly, jumping back in front of me and staring into my eyes. Mate!

I tilted my head. Mate?? Mine! I stepped closer, inhaling my mate's scent. I pressed my nose into his neck, breathing deeply. A feeling of being complete settled over me. I gave a whine as I stepped back and tilted my neck, an offering. I gave a satisfied rumble when he nipped my neck gently and then I nuzzled my nose back into his neck. He gave a satisfied rumble as he nuzzled me back, then licked my face.

I looked at him in surprise and at the playful look in his eyes, I crouched down, wagged my tail and pounced on my mate. We tumbled together through the bushes and I gave him a playful nip on the chin when we landed, with him hovering over me. He gave me a goofy, wolfish grin and I snorted in amusement. This was wonderful, freeing and we could stay like this together, forever.

The black wolf stepped back and disappeared into another set of bushes, pulling out clothes and carrying him in his mouth. He dropped them on the ground and pushed them towards me with his nose.

I wrinkled my nose at the human smelling clothes. Why would I want those?

The black wolf seemed to sigh and blurred, transforming back into a human and sliding on a pair of sweatpants. "Shift, Liana," He urged, holding out at-shirt and shorts to me.