A few nights later, Lara was curled up naked next to Griff. Moonlight crept through the lopsided curtains. She wanted to write a story about being a shifter, but so far, her book didn’t have the end she wanted.

Griff’s thumb brushed over her nipple, and she shuddered.

“Griff, we’ve mated several times.” She couldn’t hide the frustration in her voice.

He nudged into her neck and slipped inside her. “And you’re disappointed?”

She gasped. “No. But I haven’t shifted.”

He rolled on top of her and squared his hips between hers, his cock slipping inside her already wet core. “Have you tried?”

She was trying to concentrate, but his breath was blocking all rational thought.

“What do you mean?”

He kissed her parted lips and slammed his cock inside her, thrusting again and again until she had another mind-rocking orgasm.

“One of these days, I’m going to have a heart attack with you inside me.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t fuck you to death.” He licked her face. “You’re a tiger.”

She frowned. “No, I’m not.” She lifted up one finger. “I haven’t shifted once.” She kept thinking of Cora and couldn’t help feeling jealous.

“Then, let me help you.”

He slid out of her. Her inner core was satisfied and spent. He clasped her hand and pulled her out of the tangled sheets and on to the hard floor.

“Now, watch me. Draw on your tiger strength and transform.”

“I’ve tried and nothing works.”

He lifted her chin and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Since we’ve mated, have you felt any fear?”

“What?”

“Have you?”

She thought of the past weeks. Before they’d mated, she’d been afraid of every shadow, every noise, every heat source, thinking she’d be burned alive or shot again.

But not now.

“No, I guess not.”

He ran his hands over her arms. “Your arms and legs are more defined than before. That’s the signs of the tiger growing inside you.”

She glanced down at her arms. God, why hadn’t she ever noticed? She hadn’t been working out except for acrobatic sex with Griff. Her arms and legs were muscular, her tummy flatter.

“Call forth your tigress. I promise she’ll come. Tell her to come see me.”

He transformed to his magnificent tiger form and sat, waiting patiently.

She stared into those golden eyes. “Come see our mate.” She took several deep breaths and closed her eyes. Her heart fluttered, but then it became stronger. Blood surged through her like a liquid river. Her muscles rippled and her bones stretched.

Griff growled, but it was more of a hunger.

She opened her mouth, but instead of words, she let loose a snarl. She jumped, not believing the fierceness in her own throat. Her heartbeat was faster and stronger than normal.

She twirled around. Oh, shit. She had a long, beautiful tail. She was a freaking tiger, but she didn’t have gold and black stripes like Griff. Hers were white and black. She scampered into the bathroom and put her large paws on the sink. She looked into the mirror and sucked in her breath. Her eyes were crystal blue, not gold.

Griff purred around her legs. She climbed down from the sink and nuzzled her head against him. He’d changed her world, turned it upside down. Her life would never be the same again.

Griff nudged her to follow him. He led her back to the bedroom, then transformed back into a man.

He unlocked the door. “Let me take you out into the night where you can unleash your beast.” He rubbed his hand down her fur and tingles moved through her. Her breath quickened.

“You’ve changed me, Lara. I thought I was another tired tiger, waiting to bite the dust, but you brought me back to life. Now let me show you your new life.”

Her heart and pulse raced at his words that warmed her insides. She purred like a cat that just had its fill of sweet cream. His cream. She licked his hand, savoring his manly taste that she’d never stop craving. She whipped her tail around his strong thighs. He was back into tiger form in an instant.

He leaped in front of her and out the door. She followed, knowing she’d always follow him. He had her heart. He was her mate. She’d never let anyone harm him, and he’d would never let anyone harm her. No matter what the future brought, they would rise together, ready to defeat an enemy. One thing she knew for sure, even in a world of darkness, true love survives.