Legend Has It Book I ~{COMPLETE}~

Chapter 10 Her First Shift

GENEVIEVE

I was completely mesmerized by the moon as she made a full appearance on the horizon.

“We will have company shortly,” Josephine noted as I felt what I now know was the presence of others.

I was only half conscious of them, though, as the Moon commanded my attention. I felt as if she grew for me and felt myself illuminated in her silvery glow. I stood naked and proud before her, giving in to the hypnotic beams and freeing my mind. She made it easy despite my wolf’s growing excitement. Lady was growing more frenzied as the moon crept higher and I felt a howl escape our throat as I became aware of every tooth, nail and hair on my body.

I became aware of another howl in response to mine.

::He’s coming::

I sensed the thought more than heard it. I didn’t know who HE was, but apparently my wolf did. My last thought as felt my body began to shift was, “I hope this fanny pack stays together because we’re naked as a jaybird!”

{~>*•**•*<~}

GENEVIEVE

As Lady took over and I was just a spectator on the sidelines in our mind, the moon’s glow seemed to flow right through me and I reveled as power surged in my veins. My eyesight improved, my hearing sharpened even more, and I was aware of a lone howl, answering Lady’s howl, and knew the moment I came into his sight. He was off to my left, several yards behind me, but closing in fast.

I caught a foul scent.

::Rogue. Our mate’s Beta will take care of that.::

Thousands of images flashed in my mind, images, I somehow knew, were Lady’s memories from her past lives. I felt anguish and despair, but also love so powerful, it transcended time and… species.

As I felt the power awaken I also sensed relief that he was here. He was HERE!!

I wouldn’t have been surprised if lightning had flown from our fingertips… er, claws.

Holy s**t! I was a wolf!! The shift was complete. I was only remotely aware of the presence of others and of another energy reinforcing the protective shield Josephine was struggling to hold in place.

Because Lady only had a care for one, I, too, only had a care for one.

Lady turned towards him, and I saw what she saw. A massive speckled black wolf with glittery silver eyes. He was a formidable sight to behold! I’d looked at a lot of pictures of wolves but this beat all.

The average normal wolf was 2 and a half feet tall. The average werewolf was 4 feet tall. This wolf looked to be at least 5 feet tall and I suddenly understood why dogs wanted to hump everything. He was absolutely gorgeous and I embarrassingly felt Lady’s urge to mate.

I knew I needed to grab the reins.

::Please, not here. We don’t know him yet:: I pleaded with her.

I quickly realized my mistake as I sensed her scoffing.

::Ok, ok, we don’t know his HUMAN side yet::

It was a struggle to maintain control, but one thing I had read repeatedly about werewolves was to maintain control. I commanded her to shift. She started to fight me, but from somewhere off to my right, I sensed another command to shift back. I felt Lady grudgingly let go and our body began to change back. I momentarily forgot about my nakedness.

Lady and her mate had exchanged several emotions. Emotions I didn’t yet share with his human counterpart, but I sensed his approval and lust. I’d seen myself from his point of view and I felt no shame knowing I looked like a centerfold queen in his eyes.

My wolf was beautiful, too. A medium, reddish blonde close to my natural hair color and eyes that appeared vividly green like emeralds in the Moonlight. Unless the shift had enhanced the color, they didn’t look that green in human form unless I wore green. I wasn’t sure exactly how tall he was, but I guessed I was about a foot shorter than him in wolf form.

The feelings were immense and indescribable. Ancient knowledge I would spend the rest of my life trying to comprehend had flowed between us in what was only seconds.

Our gazes were locked. He shifted back after I did and I was able to take in his naked human body. The moon wasn’t as bright as she had been, but my eyesight was definitely enhanced. We were probably 10 yards apart. Was he moving closer, or was I?

At least a couple inches taller than me, his dark shoulder length hair intrigued me. He was completely ripped with what could only be goddess sculpted abs and…

I didn’t know a lot about the male anatomy, but that dangly thing between his legs looked rather large.

I heard a familiar throat clear itself from behind me.

I caught her scent, a fragrance embedded in my mind, now mixed with something I didn’t quite recognize but somehow didn’t dare disobey. I tore my gaze from my… mate and turned toward this almost unwelcome intruder.

“Mary?!” She was older and taller now, but still had the same sweet childish face I remembered. I saw ancient wisdom there now, too.

“Yes and you may remember these two.” Catherine and Francis came forward from the line of trees behind Mary.

“Sophia and Rhett are here, too, and send their love, but they stayed back.” She nodded towards… I didn’t know his name. My mate…

::Mate!:: Lady gushed.

“Why are you here?” He asked us all as he shortened the distance between us. I instinctively sensed his Alpha status and the power that radiated from him.

“These girls were my—“ Mary held up a hand indicating silence, which I felt compelled to obey.

“You can fill him in later. We came to ensure that you both know who your wolves are and what you’re up against. We need to get back to your rental. That little moonlight show may attract attention and I doubt that the rogue was a random spectator.”

Mary exuded the confidence of a goddess. I wanted to hug her, but also really wanted to explore this gorgeous hunk of male flesh that was standing... close enough to touch now, I realized. I dared tilt my head to look upon him. He stood, as if a little confused and in awe, himself. One hand slowly lifted towards me, in an almost beckoning way. His other hand in an incomplete stopping motion towards Mary, seemingly conflicted between commanding her as an Alpha, yet suddenly unsure of his rank.

Both were beautiful sights to see. I’d missed my “little sisters” who suddenly seemed like angels I should bow to.

I hadn’t known what to expect, but this was quite unexpected.

At some point, I became aware that my mate wasn’t alone, and like Sophia and Rhett, his companions were hanging back, awaiting commands.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from his, bluish gray in human form. I wanted what my wolf wanted. To devour this beautiful man towering next to me. The human side of me suddenly realized how very naked we were and I remembered the fanny pack around my waist. I finally lowered my eyes, only to feel an electric shock down my spine as he gently touched my chin to make me look back into those pools of blue dreaminess.

“What is your name?” He asked softly. “I am Phoenix.”

“Genevieve,” I managed to respond as he suddenly knelt at my feet and took my hands in his.

“Genevieve.” He repeated my name back to me and it was music to my ears. “I am very honored to make your acquaintance.”

“Phoenix,” I cleared my throat nervously. “I am very honored to make your acquaintance as well.”

“Ok, you two,” Mary gave a slight giggle. “I realize we’re probably being quite intrusive right now, but grab some clothes and let’s go before we are seen.”

Humans would remark for years how bright the moon had been that Beltane and, unable to resist the lust that overcame them that night, several new humans were born nine months later.