Monsters Beyond the Gate

Chapter Eighteen: Mated

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUAL CONTENT NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AUDIENCES UNDER 17. IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED BY SUCH CONTENT PLEASE DO NOT READ. 

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**LEVI'S POV**

I heard her scream from two stories above me. My heart went into overdrive as I shoved past people to reach her. I took the stairs two at a time until she came into view at the top of the stairway. For a moment I caught a glimpse of her auburn red hair. Her green eyes registered my presence and widened because of it. Her full lips made an "O" shape and then she fell to all fours and I watched her make her first change. The clothes on her body ripped apart, exposing her bare flesh for all of two seconds before being replaced by fur that was whiter than fresh snow. She blinked at me and the green melted from her eyes, changing to an eerie sky blue.

She had turned full wolf.

Panic grew in her eyes.

"Calm down, Adeline. Everything is going to be okay," I whispered and took a few steps towards her. She growled and started to back up.

I knew then that I needed to change in order to communicate with her, although the Alpha had a rule against changing inside of the Den, I did it anyway, but not before stripping off my shirt (it was my favorite. Sue me.)

I felt my body change. The transformation, which had once been agonizing, was tolerable at that point. I set my gaze on Adeline and for a moment time stopped.

To see her as a wolf while I was also one made everything look so much clearer. I couldn't deny she was my mate. I'd never be able to. I didn't want anyone but her.

Levi, what's happening? Her question echoed through my head.

It's okay, Adeline, you just made the change. Calm down and you can change back.

She shook her head, I can't. I can't calm down. My heart...it's racing. It's racing so fast I think it's going to explode. Levi, I'm scared. It hurts. Everything hurts. Her voice was a sob.

The first change is like that for everyone, Adeline. It will all be ok. Just breathe.

An idea occurred to me, let's go to the woods. If we tire you out it will be easier to change back.

She nodded and we took off down the stairs, blowing by people who looked at us with hanging jaws.

I heard someone call my name behind me. I couldn't tell who it was, but I didn't stop to check and see. I could only think of two things, my Mate and the forest.

We burst out of the front door into the waiting tree line. The world exploded into sounds and colors of nature. The scent of fresh pine filled my snout and left me a little breathless. I looked back to see Adeline and she appeared to be having a similar experience.

Faster! She cried, and the little laugh in her words made my heart catch. She zoomed past me. Her white fur nearly disappeared into the forest she was running so fast.

We ran east for a long way and then doubled back halfway before she finally slowed down to a walk. Her paws padded against the dirt forest floor and she panted heavily.

I'm tired, she said softly. She collapsed into a sitting position and before I could register what was happening her body shifted back to human form. She was naked before my eyes. My insides burned for her so badly that I had to look away. She sat up, folding her arms in front of her chest.