Read Magic and Mayhem: Witch and Were (Kindle Worlds Novella) for Free Online

Patience. We treasure our mates above all else." He shifted in his seat. "Am I angry? A little. But not just at you. I'm still full of rage for that clerk and his pack that forced me into taking this drastic step without your permission. Would I change what I did? No. I would do whatever I have to to keep you safe."
    "How permanent is this mark?" I asked, a little afraid of the answer.
    "For a Shifter? Absolutely permanent. For you? I don't know. But I can tell you this. I'm not going away. It's not in me to turn away from my beautiful," he kissed my fingers, "absolutely frustrating," he kissed the inside of my wrist, "perfect in every way mate."
    Some of the anger inside me melted at his tender touches and sweet words. I was still mad, but not so much I wanted to kill him and leave his carcass anymore. Still, I couldn't just let this slide. The great unknown of what was happening to me with the shifting thing could definitely be affected by something so reckless.
    "I think I need some fresh air." I pulled my hand free and jumped out of the car. The night air out here felt fresh and clean on my skin as I walked onto the grassy area next to the car."
    "Nice night for a run." Mick had come up behind me on silent feet. Chalk that up to a serious advantage for Shifters. Of course, if I took to wearing something other than heels I might be a tad stealthier as well.
    "I wish I could try it. You know, shift and then maybe walk through the woods instead of running. Running sounds a little ambitious for someone who hasn't been to the gym in six months."
    Mick laughed and I wondered if I would tire of that sexy rumble. Probably not. He lit up my body with simple moves like that. It so wasn't fair.
    "Well," he said, running his finger along my neck. "You seem to shift when you get extremely flustered or stressed out. How about I see if I can trigger one."
    Before I could respond, his hand cupped the back of my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. His tongue licked at the seam of my mouth until I opened and gave him entrance.
    Most of the thoughts fled my mind. My focus solely on him and his magical tongue. Okay, I was being dramatic again, but the man had kissing down to a freaking science.
    My heart raced and my body heated, but when his hand slipped under the edge of my shirt and touched my bare skin I felt the warmth of magic slowly fill me. I didn't quite feel like I did when I shifted, but something magical was definitely happening.
    He broke the kiss and looked me in the eyes. "Shift," he said.
    "I can't. I don't know how."
    He reached behind me and slapped my ass. "Shift." This time his words came out on an unmistakable growl with a thread of compulsion I couldn't deny. "Shift," he said again, this time even louder with more force.
    To my surprise the magic flowed hot over my skin and I looked down to watch the orange glow. My body began to change and I tipped forward onto my hands and knees. A moment later my vision sharpened and fur burst across my skin. The wolf inside me had emerged.
    For a moment there I had the sensation it had nothing to do with a spell, but had come about as an intrinsic part of me.
    "Good job," he said. I looked up to find that Mick too had shifted and he wasn't what I expected.
    I drew back, shocked to find an oversized fox with silver fur standing in front of me. "Holy shit. That's why they kept calling you a silver fox?"
    "Why else?"
    I snickered. "I thought they were referring to the gray in your beard and the little slivers of silver at your temples. It makes you a silver fox in every way. I had no idea it was so literal."
    "A silver fox, huh? Should I be worried about my hair color now? Or my age?"
    I tried to smirk and failed. "Touché."
    "If it's good enough for me it should be good enough for you."
    I began walking around Mick's fox so I could get a better look. He was much larger than an ordinary fox. Maybe four to five times. He was bigger than my wolf. "Easy for you to say, you're a man. Humans