Read Online Shaping Destiny by Hmonroe - Free Book Online Page B

I want to help you understand.” Max looked
up.
    “But how do you know that
I am like you?”
    “There are too many things
that have happened: smell, hearing, the attacks. I know you want to
fight it until the very end, but there is no denying it any longer.
I’ll prove it to you; we just have to find out what triggers your
turn. For me it was anger, but I don’t think that’s it for you.
Last time we were up here you almost turned, so I thought this
would be a good place to start.”
    My cheeks burned red. I
knew exactly what made my insides heat up. I just needed to tell
Max.
    “I do,” I said
softly.
    “You do what?”
    “I know what would make me
turn.”
    “That’s great. Tell me.”
He walked toward me.
    I put my hand out to block
him getting too close as my stomach turned into knots with
anticipation. I already felt his presence strong enough just
talking to him. I didn’t need him any closer.
    “You. You are my trigger.
I can’t even get near you without feeling like I’m going to
explode. It’s just getting worse and worse every day.”
    “Me?” He took a step back.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Because of that.” I
gestured to his step back. “I didn’t want you to leave.”
    “I’m not going away. I
couldn’t go away.” Silence fell between us. “When you’re ready to
turn, I’ll help you.”
    Blush filled my cheeks.
“I’m ready . . . I think.” Who could be ready for something like
this? Thinking about my skin, bones, and muscles all moving in a
painful transformation made me want to walk back to Max’s truck . .
. until I locked eyes on him.
    That’s all Max needed to
start his way toward me. Maybe it was out of respect that he held
back any physical desire, but now he didn’t. His eyes became
lustful, yet gentle. Prickling pain started at my toes and worked
its way up slowly. His pace didn’t slow toward me, and all I could
hear were our hearts beating faster and faster. All sounds became
muffled as blood pumped through my veins. My skin boiled with heat,
my head started to spin, and without warning his lips landed on
mine. Our arms enveloped each other. His hand slowly went up my
back until it rested at the nape of my neck. I had never
experienced a kiss with so much passion, desire, and heat. I
couldn’t fight the fire much longer even though I tried.
    I yelled in pain, breaking
our kiss. Max never let go as my legs gave out. He cradled me and
gently laid me down on the ground, stroking my hair in hopes to
comfort me. I screamed even louder as transformation consumed me.
The pain felt as if I were being ripped open from the inside. My
screams turned into roars as fur lined my skin and my hands turned
to paws. There was no turning back now, even if I wanted to. The
transformation was almost complete.
    “You’re OK, Leah. It won’t
be this painful every time.” Sadness laced his words.
    Everything calmed. I
opened my eyes to reveal much crisper and detailed lines of nature.
All the trees and leaves shimmered. They lit up nature with vibrant
colors and smells. I could hear cracking of branches and brushes as
if they were breaking right next to my ears. The breeze held more
than just air; sounds of nature danced between the plants and
animal life. A mile away a field of pine trees filled my nose as
they tried to grow. Nature encircled every part of my
senses.
    Fur covered my whole body,
and I held no resemblance of being human. I knew it would happen,
but to actually see it surprised me. I continued examining my body
and turning all different directions. There was no denying that I
was a shape shifter any longer. My fur was light and striking in
color. Reds weaved between white strands. The thickness and warmth
comforted me.
    Max sat in awe watching me
soak in the surroundings. “You’re magnificent.”
    “Roar . . .” I tried to
speak.
    Max laughed. “I can’t
understand you right now.”
    So many images came to
mind before transforming. I could have become a