Behind the hard slits on his face, Aric’s eyes rolled and darted. I knew he heard me, but I didn’t know if my words alone would be enough to save him.

Chapter Twenty-seven

On our fourth night in the cabin, my exhaustion level reached an all-time high. After managing to build a fire, I immediately crawled into bed. Aric was already asleep, his long body draped across two of the sleeping bags. I kissed his head and cuddled next to him. Although I tensed in anticipation of another long night of seizures, I drifted off almost immediately.

Sometime during the night, I awoke to an explosion of light and a strong wind blowing against my back. I sat up and glanced around. Everything appeared unchanged. Outside the forest was still. No wind or rain rattled the trees. The only sounds came from the river and a couple of noisy owls in the distance. I dismissed the experience as a dream and rose to add another log to the fire.

I checked on Aric and adjusted the sheet over his back. The wet cloths I’d applied over his eyes had slipped off. As I replaced them, I noticed his eyes stared ahead, devoid of any awkward movements. His trembling and twitching had also ceased and his muscles and breaths appeared more relaxed. He seemed…at peace.

I wrapped my arm around him. “Are you feeling better, love?”

Aric didn’t respond.

My fear was he’d grown too weak. I watched him for a long while wondering if I should try to wake him. When his condition didn’t deteriorate, I decided it was safe to return to sleep. Lying close to his fur made me too hot. I removed my shirt and snuggled against his back.

I awoke not long afterward to Aric sniffing my neck. Instead of feeling the rough texture of his scarred face, soft fur stroked against my skin. I turned and scrambled away when I saw what he’d become.

Aric blinked back at me in his human form. His dark Irish skin glowed against the firelight, smooth and absent of scars. Short, thick dark hair covered his head and beautiful brown eyes glistened back at me. I crawled forward, my eyes widening and my breath quickening with each movement. “Oh my God.”

What I initially mistook for soft fur was actually a full beard, the length of his short hair. I reached out, skimming my fingertips over his face. Aric’s gaze followed my hands as I traced them down his neck, chest, and arms. Silky, unmarred skin stretched over dense bulging muscles. He was…perfect.

I could see and feel his metamorphosis, and still I couldn’t believe it. After several passes over his skin, I finally accepted his body had mended. My words broke through my tears. “Baby, you’re cured.”

Aric tilted his head, as if working to understand. He may have resembled his former healthy self, yet something about him seemed off.

Using extreme care so as not to scare him, I returned my hands to his face. His beard mimicked the soft whisper of newborn hair. To my relief, he continued to welcome my touch. He rubbed his jaw against my hands and caressed my face—mirroring my movements. I kissed his lips as tears streamed down my cheeks. Aric didn’t kiss me back; instead he watched me with curiosity while I stroked his hair and took in his magnificent scent.

My hands slipped down to his chest. Aric leaned forward to sniff my neck once more. I laughed. He stopped just to smile at me. My heart soared at that familiar grin…only to stop when he pushed me down into our bed and climbed on top of me. He ran his tongue over my throat and across my jawline. His licks were un-wolflike—sensual, with enough heat to make me quiver. Goose bumps spread the length of my body. But he wasn’t well—not completely—so I thought it best to discourage his behavior.

“Um, Aric. I don’t know if you should—”

I startled when his tongue found my left nipple. Aric stopped to stare at it, deeply fascinated and evidently impressed with how the tip responded to his affections. He continued to experiment until it hardened to his satisfaction, then he moved to the other. Arousal shot through me like blazing bullets, stiffening body parts that made me ache and groan. It had been a long time since he’d touched me that way.

Aric’s nostrils flared. He’d scented my passion. His excitement built, knocking hard against my thigh. He abandoned my nipple and searched for the source of my heat. I screamed when he found it with his tongue.

My back bowed. Okay, I officially like the beard.

My moans grew as he continued. Still I questioned whether our lovemaking was appropriate in his given state. I tried to squirm away. Aric wouldn’t allow it. He hauled me back and spread my legs further. Suddenly, our roles were reversed. He held me as I convulsed out of control. I screamed and thrashed, my hands searching blindly for something to grasp as ecstasy ripped through my core.

I reached for him, but Aric refused to relinquish control. He flipped me over and placed me on my hands and knees. Even after all the times we’d made love, he still had trouble penetrating. His moans of pleasure resonated over mine as he pushed his way inside me. His rhythm was slow at first, but then became quick and needy. I turned my head to see the perfect outlines of our shadows against the wall. Watching made the moment sexier. I rocked my hips, driving him crazy. He thrust faster and faster until we reached a very loud and enjoyable end.

Aric and I collapsed in a sweating mess on our sides. He pulled me close, nuzzling my neck. “Celia,” he moaned before I succumbed to sleep.

—

I’m not sure how late I slept the next day. A strange scent forced me to open my eyes. Aric had gone grocery shopping in the woods. Under one arm, he carried about five dead pheasants. In the other, he held a large pot from the kitchen shelf. I peeked inside. Mushrooms, chives, and dandelions lined the entire bottom. In his teeth, he carried a mouthful of cattails by the stems. He grinned, thoroughly impressed with himself. His good humor abandoned his strong features when I ran to the sink and proceeded to vomit.

I leaned against the edge. Freaking morning sickness.

Aric dropped everything and alternated between pacing and nudging me with his head—just as he’d done as a wolf, this time appearing more distressed. Crap. You’d think he’d be used to it by now.

“It’s okay, love…don’t be scared. I’m all right.”

He didn’t believe me, but why should he? Sweat dripped over my cold and clammy skin.

I brushed my teeth and rinsed my face. I turned to meet Aric’s deep furrowed brows. His hands touched my face, demonstrating the same adoration he’d shown me last night. I kissed his palms. “I’m fine, baby. Just tired.”