Change of Heart

Domin along after him toward the car.
    "You don't hafta grab me!" I heard Domin's deep, throaty laughter. "You just say the word, and I'll follow you anywhere."
    "Shut the hell up!" Koren snapped back at him, but he didn't let him go.
    I watched them until all I could see of the car was taillights in the distance. Turning to look at the tree line, I saw Logan pacing back and forth. He would either wait around or not, but I couldn't leave. I ducked back inside to finish my shift.
    249
    Change of Heart
    by Mary Calmes
    At two in the morning, after I closed up, having sent everyone else home, I stripped out of my clothes and slipped around the side of the restaurant, already in my panther form. I crossed the street and ran for the tree line. I saw him immediately. He was ten yards from me but stopped, frozen, staring. When he took a step forward, I took one back.
    Instantly, he dropped to the ground, not moving. I did the same. After long minutes, he lifted his head in silent invitation, tipping it so I'd know that he wanted me to follow.
    I rose, and he was on his feet fast, diving forward into the deeper brush.
    It was a beautiful night for a run, and as I followed him, I felt the thrill of speed surging through my body. I was so lost in the wind on my face, the feel of the cold snow crunching under my paws, and the smells of the forest that when he was suddenly beside me, nipping at my shoulder, I was startled. I veered hard left and went up the side of a small hill. When I reached the top and saw the cave, I understood that this was where he wanted me. I had been herded to his lair.
    The cave was deep and twisted until they reached the end, where there was a small fire in a pit and a mound of animal pelts, prey animals taken during past hunts. It was warm, dry, and cozy. This was his secret place, the place that only he and his mate would ever see or know about. As I wheeled around to face him, I saw him walking slowly toward me on two legs, having shifted back to his human form before entering the cave. The man was beautiful, absolutely mouth-watering, and just seeing him, all that gorgeous gold skin 250
    Change of Heart
    by Mary Calmes
    over his sleek muscular frame, made my resolve falter. He simply annihilated me.
    "I'm sorry," he said softly, walking to the furs and kneeling down slowly. "All I wanted to do was protect you. I had no idea you were such a capable fighter or that you could do all the things you can do. I will never again underestimate you, and if you tell me you want to stand beside me, whenever, wherever, I promise I won't second guess you."
    I just stared at him.
    "That's not to say that I will ever allow you to be harmed, because I can't. I'm not strong enough to take anything happening to you."
    I moved a step closer.
    "You saved me, and by doing that, you saved us all. I'm semel-re because of you. People will come to us, and there will be challenges, and now that everyone knows... there's never going to be a dull moment, I can tell. But, Jin... I know you need time to think, but I can't even rest without you, and I need to rest. I need my mate." His eyes pleaded with me.
    "Come home."
    I knew he needed me. I needed him, too, but there was more to be said.
    He cleared his throat. "You know, I have never seen anyone shift as fast as you, and neither has my father. He's actually awed with your power, and frankly, so am I. It was really something."
    I kept waiting.
    "My mate is amazing."
    "Amazing" was nice to hear.
    251
    Change of Heart
    by Mary Calmes
    "Baby," he said warmly, "I need you. You know all the laws, who I should trust, and who I shouldn't. You're so smart, and kind, and so... so beautiful."
    I crouched down, staring at him.
    "Here, kitty-kitty." His smile twisted, became lazy and sexy. "C'mere."
    Hell no. He had to explain himself.
    "Aww, c'mon," he chuckled. "You're killing me."
    I tipped my head like I wasn't sure what he was talking about.
    His laughter filled the space around us. "Shit."
    Being in love with this man was fun. If he kept his sense of humor and trusted me, and if I could stop being afraid and had faith in him, we actually had a chance.
    "Okay, how 'bout this: thank you, baby, for saving my life."
    He was getting warmer.
    "And I'm so sorry for what I did." His voice dropped down deep into his chest, and the smile fell out of his eyes. He wanted me to hear him; he wanted me to know that his words carried weight and substance. "Please forgive me. I had no idea what