Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Orion comes closer and sits on the steps in front of me. Pryce stands to the other side of me on the ground.
“Do you have to take off your clothes?” I ask as I realize Daddy is still wearing nothing but jeans.
“Nope. Our clothes shift with us,” Daddy says. “It’s convenient when we have to travel some distance and then shift back.”
I nod. Makes sense. Except what am I thinking? None of this makes sense. It’s total madness. A man is going to turn into a lion in front of me.
“It only takes a few seconds,” he tells me next. “What you’ll see will be like a shimmer as I change forms. In short order, I will drop onto all fours. I’ll be larger than the average lion, too, so don’t be alarmed when you find that out.”
“I have no idea how big a lion is,” I tell him. “I’ve never seen one.”
“Not even at the zoo?” Orion asks.
I shake my head. “I’ve never been to a zoo. My mother thought they were stupid. She didn’t take me.” Probably it was because she couldn’t afford the entrance fee or take a day off work.
“Ah, well, they’re filled with caged animals. That’s a bit frustrating,” Pryce adds. “But on the other hand, it’s helpful for humans to learn about various species. It keeps children from growing up irrationally afraid of other animals.”
I smile at him. He’s right. I never thought about it from that perspective.
“Ready?” Daddy asks. He’s standing several yards away from me. It’s interesting that he’s wearing nothing but jeans. It’s kind of chilly out here. I suspect these bulky men do not easily get cold. Pryce and Orion are wearing jeans, work boots, and long-sleeved shirts, but they don’t have jackets on. I’m glad I’m wearing a sweatshirt.
“Yes.” I nod and sit taller, trying to be brave.
Daddy smiles at me before he closes his eyes and seems to go into his head. Sure enough, a few seconds later, there is a strange shimmer that lasts a few more seconds, and then a giant lion seems to come out of thin air and drop down onto all fours.
I gasp, so startled that I nearly fall over backward on the chair. I have to reach back with both hands to support myself. All of the air leaves my lungs.
Even though he explained what would happen, I’m still too stunned for words. He’s huge. He’s also beautiful. His thick mane is long and surrounds his face, a shade darker than the rest of him. Even his paws are enormous.
This lion could absolutely leap up onto the porch and tear me into a million pieces before I could react.
“You’re safe, Brea,” Orion says. “I promise. Would you like him to come closer? You could even pet him if you want to feel his fur.”
I stare at Navin without blinking. It’s hard to believe it’s really him. He was just here, and now a lion is in his place. I slowly sit upright, forcing myself to relax. “Okay.”
Navin inches forward, head high, taking his time.
He’s truly the most amazing animal I’ve ever seen in my life. I don’t think humans ever get the chance to be this close to a lion. Not even in captivity. They can’t be trusted. But this is my mate. He has assured me he won’t hurt me.
When he reaches the porch, he plants a paw on the steps and crawls up toward me. He lowers his head when he gets close enough and brushes the top of his mane against my knees.
I’m shaking as I lift a hand and stroke his mane. It’s softer than I expected, and I end up burying my fingers in it. “He really won’t eat me?” I ask.
Orion chuckles. “No, Little one. None of us will. We’re peaceful people. Even in our lion form, we’re in control. That doesn’t mean we won’t ever go after anyone. We will defend our pride and our mates to the death if necessary, but we would never attack anyone unprovoked.”
Navin slowly lifts his giant head to look at me. He even cocks it to one side. I wonder if he sees me differently through his lion eyes.
When I slide my hand around to the front of his mane, he reaches out with his tongue and licks my fingers. I giggle. I’m not scared. He’s not going to eat me.
Eventually he backs into the clearing again, and seconds later, my mate has returned to his human form.
I’m in such awe that I’m speechless.
“Thank you,” Navin tells Orion and Pryce as they head away from the cabin. He comes to me slowly and scoops me into his arms. As we reenter the cabin, he nuzzles my neck. “What did you think?”
“I think you’re the most gorgeous animal in the world.”