Tabitha drove down the winding gravel road with her big, dark chocolate eyes as wide as they could go. Drinking in the gorgeous mountain views that peeked through the snow-dusted evergreens lining the path. She cracked her window just enough to breathe in the crisp, crystal clear air tinged with the scent of pine that was exactly like she remembered as a little girl.

She steered her bright red SUV with caution on the icy road as she pulled into the long drive leading to the towering brick and log manor that rose up like it had been grown there in the forest. She drove past the sign that read White Mountain Lodge in letters twined with carved white roses and exhaled a sigh of relief, releasing a tension that had plagued her since almost eight months before.

As a professional figure skater, Tabitha was no stranger to working through incredible pressure, stress, and pain. But the injury that had ended her career so suddenly not even a year before had been something that even her indomitable will couldn’t overcome.

She had torn all the ligaments in her right knee after a nasty fall, and at twenty five all her dreams, everything she had spent her life working for, collapsed underneath her. In the aftermath she had realized exactly how much she had sacrificed in the mindless pursuit of that gold medal.

No friends, no family except for her grandfather who loved and supported her no matter what decisions she made. And a no-good, bastard, jerk-face ex fiancé who Tabitha had found out had been having an affair with her coach the entire time they were together.

He had the nerve to blame it on her! That she was never there, didn’t care enough, and didn’t put half as much effort into their relationship as she did her career. Which was true, she had to acknowledge. At least to herself.

The ethereal beauty of the lodge and surrounding woods, so still and calm in the early winter afternoon soothed her in a way Tabitha desperately needed. She hadn’t realized just how much the stress of the past months had been eating at her.

Pulling into the open parking spot, she glanced up into the rearview mirror. Her big, dark brown eyes flecked with gold stared back at her. Her mocha skin swept over high cheekbones and full, unpainted lips. Her features, which she was so used to seeing drawn and creased with worry and exhaustion were already softer, more relaxed. Tabitha smiled to herself in the mirror. This was going to be exactly what she needed.

She grabbed her suitcase and her old backpack and headed through the oversized pine framed double doors of the Lodge. The main lobby was empty save for an old, worn couch with a geometric print and a lovely looking middle aged women flipping through paperwork behind the massive wooden front counter.

“Hel…hello.” Tabitha gave a slight wave, still juggling her luggage and bags as she tried to get the woman’s attention. Bright blue eyes and a cheery smile looked up at her over small gold glasses pushed down to the tip of her nose.

“Oh! Hello! Are you checking in, dear?” The woman’s voice tripped some memory of when Tabitha had been there as a child. She stared closer into the woman’s features. The wide forehead, smooth cheeks, and full lips that were still curved into a welcoming smile all made it difficult to put any age to her.

“I’m so sorry,” Tabitha mumbled as she realized she had been staring for a solid minute, “you just seem so familiar to me. You didn’t happen to work here almost twenty years ago, did you? But no, that’s impossible.” Her hand fluttered, waving away her question, as she tried to pin down the sense of déjà vu that had hit her upon seeing, Tabitha squinted at her name tag, Bea. That’s all it said. Just Bea.

Bea looked at her uncomfortably for a moment before her happy grin replaced it, making Tabitha doubt she had seen it at all.

“Well, you probably mean my mother.” Bea chuckled, but it held an edge of nerves. “She worked here for years before buying the place, and now I take care of things.” She beamed again, and all Tabitha could see was sunshine.

“So, you’ve been to our lodge before?” Bea asked as she reached for another clipboard of papers. Tabitha smiled, remembering.

“Yes, when I was a little girl. I came here with my dad and grandpa when I was seven. It was the best Christmas I ever had.”

“Well, I’m so glad you are back to visit us again. Can I just have your name, sweetie?” Bea was looking at the papers as she asked, not a computer or even cell phone in sight on the big desk behind the counter.

“It’s Tabitha. Tabitha Jones.”

“Oh, Ms. Jones, of course! I hope the roads weren’t too bad getting up here. I know they were saying a doozy of a storm is on the way.”

“Nope, no problems. It seems like I got here just in time.” A different, softer type of smile lit Bea’s features.

“You know, I can’t tell you how many visitors at White Mountain Lodge say that same exact thing.” Her voice once again brisk, but kindly. She grabbed a set of keys from the wall of hooks, each with corresponding numbers.

She handed Tabitha number L14. You’ve got room number fourteen, dear. It’s really lovely, a great view of the pond, and the valley. I hope you enjoy your stay with us, and let me know if you need anything at all.”

“Thank you.” Tabitha smiled, and with another little wave, walked down the hall in the direction Bea had pointed. She took a deep breath, feeling energized, revitalized, and ready to dedicate the next week to doing nothing but relaxing. She couldn’t wait.

Tabitha set her bags down on the giant king sized bed that took up most of the south wall of her room. Looking around, she sighed in satisfaction. This really was exactly what she needed. The walls of the suite were painted a soft, muted rose that complimented the warmth of the hard wood floors. A small seating area by the door housed a loveseat with neutral geometric print and two wooden armchairs with quilted cushions.

A big, white, fluffy looking knit blanket was folded over the back of the loveseat just begging her to go over there and wrap up in it, but then she glanced towards the big arched window that dominated the entire west wall. Tabitha’s breath caught.

It was just so beautiful. The frozen pond sat surrounded by glittering pines and evergreen shrubs dusted with snow like confectioner’s sugar. She felt the prick of tears as she remembered that winter so many years ago. She had gone skating on that very pond with her father pulling her around as they played on the ice.

It had been just a few short years later when her father had died but the memory ached. Some of Tabitha’s most cherished memories of him had happened right here at the lodge. It was one of the reason’s she had decided to come, to feel closer to her past, who she used to be.

Shrugging off the melancholy thoughts, she moved toward her bag with renewed determination. Tabitha knew exactly what she was going to do first. She unzipped the bigger of the two suitcases, her long, dark fingers moving against the green and black checked fabric, and pulled out a box. Taking off the lid, she stared for a moment. Just looking at the ice skates as a familiar jolt of fear slid through her.

Ever since her accident eight months ago, she had been unable to get back on the ice and skate, overwhelmed by a sense of trepidation that made her whole body shake. The doctors all said it was a normal reaction, and she would eventually overcome it.

Tabitha swallowed, stiffening her shoulders and holding her long, elegant neck straight. Today was going to be that day. Grabbing the skates before any more second thoughts could creep in, she was out the door and headed towards the pond with quick strides.

She met no one in the lobby, not even Bea, so continued outside in the relaxing quiet of the resort. There was a sense of peace here so strong that even her newfound fear of skating couldn’t compete, and Tabitha was able to push it back with ease. To a woman used to being confident and sure of herself, that nagging disquiet was hard to countenance.

She marched up to the pond with resolve in every line of her curvy, yet muscular, frame. Spying a worn, wooden bench about twenty feet away, Tabitha strode over, kicking up clouds of powdering snow as she walked. She sat, taking her shoes off, and froze, her head whipping to the side making some of her dark ebony hair tousle loose from her high bun.

She swore she heard something. A foot step, a twig snap, she wasn’t exactly sure now, and as she watched and nothing happened she had to shrug it off. Maybe it was an animal or something. She was surrounded by acres and acres of forest after all. There was bound to be some wild life.

Tabitha finished lacing up her skates, their bright white leather a sharp contrast to the warm brown hue of her fingers as she smoothed her hands over the soft material. They were the last pair of custom boots she had bought before her accident, and they fit like a glove, perfectly molded to fit the arch of her feet.

Taking a deep breath, Tabitha inhaled the sweet, cold air, and without a single glance behind her, strode to the edge of the pond. On a giant exhale, she glided graceful as a swan onto the ice.

Sebastian held his breath. When he had accidentally stepped on that branch, the echo of its snapping ringing loudly in the peaceful stillness of the woods, he was sure he was caught. That beautiful creature had stared right at him, but concealed as he was by the branches of pine, drooping under the weight of the snow, she somehow hadn’t seen him.

Guiltily, he knew he should turn and continue on the short distance to his cabin, less than a quarter of a mile away. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t help himself, couldn’t look away if he wanted to, and he definitely didn’t.

Entranced, he watched with golden eyes ringed with amber so dark it was almost black. He drank her in like he had walked for days in the dessert, parched for the sight of her without even knowing it.

As she slid effortlessly along the ice, Sebastian’s eyes followed. They took in everything, from her thick, night black hair pulled carelessly into a bun; some tendrils had fallen out to tease the length of her neck, and he found himself ridiculously jealous that it wasn’t him.

He stalled at her features, a heart shaped face framed high cheekbones, a straight nose that curled up adorably at the end, making her look like she was always up to mischief, and a mouth that had his pulse raising. But her eyes. Framed by the longest, black lashes, her almond shaped eyes were the darkest, warmest shade of brown that he just wanted to drown in.

Her smooth, brown skin held a flush of pleasure as she twirled around on the frozen pond like she had been born to do just that. Sebastian had never seen anyone that natural or graceful on ice skates. Certainly, he would never take that chance.

He had come to White Mountain Lodge, like many other shifters, looking for a sanctuary. A respite from the pressure of keeping half of himself hidden away every day. Being surrounded by people who never really knew him, couldn’t know him. He could almost see his lion half shake his heavy mane in disdain of all the ice and snow and cold, but this was exactly what Sebastian needed.

His eyes were drawn back to the mystery woman still skating, now doing backwards figure eights, leaving lines in the ice in her wake. Every movement slid seamlessly into the next, more graceful, more elegant, than anything he had ever seen.

The predator in him went on point. Sebastian could feel the sudden tension running through his muscles as they bunched, preparing to spring into action. He had to hold himself back, shocked at the intense reaction of his body. For so long he had pushed down the animal side of himself that he had actually begun to lose that sacred connection within himself.

Desperate to regain some semblance of balance, he had headed to White Mountain in the hopes that being around other shifters, and in the peace of the wilderness would ease the ache that tormented him constantly. But one look at this beautiful, dark-skinned beauty had man and beast instantly ready to pounce.

His ears perked as an almost imperceptible sound reached him, but he couldn’t decipher it. There it was again. Sebastian took a half step towards her, instinct overruling his brain as the sound came once again, more clearly this time. He rushed forward reaching the ice just as another cracking noise, this time much louder filled the air.

The dark beauty looked over at him with surprise widened eyes, and for a moment Sebastian couldn’t breathe. The force of her gaze on his hit him with the force of a mallet to the head, and he suddenly couldn’t make sense of his thoughts.

Still rushing closer to her, only a few feet away now, he watched as her skate hit a crack forming in the surface of the lake, and stuck, causing her to tumble face forward onto the ice. He reached for her just as she made contact, bracing her from most of the blow, but he could see her right ankle twisted oddly by the skate still stuck in the ice.

She sucked in a breath, and let out a gasp of pain on the exhale as she tried to stand, but couldn’t. Sebastian took her arm, letting her rest most of her weight on his big, sharply muscled frame.

“Hey, take it easy. It’s okay. Let me help you.” Sebastian said quietly as she struggled to stand on her own.

“No, it’s not okay. My ankle is twisted. I don’t think it’s fractured, but still it’s severely strained.” She said, his body tensing at her husky voice despite his mind yelling at him to keep cool.

They tried to walk a few feet, mostly shuffling, but at her barely muffled yelp of pain, Sebastian swept an arm under thighs, the other supporting her around her shoulders as he lifted her, cradling her against his chest. He ignored her outraged squawk.

“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing? I can walk just fine on my own!”

Sebastian smirked at her obvious lie. She wasn’t able to take a single step on her own. And he couldn’t suppress the wave of possessiveness and satisfaction that rolled through him as he provided for her, easily supporting her luscious curves in his arms.

“I’m taking you to a cabin, it’s a lot closer than the main lodge, and we can take a look at that ankle there.”

She arched a delicate eyebrow at him, but refused to reply. Looking like she was trying to pretend he wasn’t there, even though his arms were wrapped snugly against her body.

It was impossible for him not to notice the delightful way her softness felt pressed flush against him. The instant desire that had raged through him when he had first spotter her flaring back to life as he inhaled the scent of her, all woman with the hint of something dark, earthy, and incredibly sensual.

He bit back a growl as he chanced a quick look down at her, gorgeous, dark eyes still glaring resolutely.

“I’m Sebastian, by the way.” He bit back a grin as she shot him another arched look, and then sighed in seeming resignation.

“I’m Tabitha. Tabitha Jones.”

Within moments they came into view of a small, but cozy looking log cabin, picturesque as it was framed by the towering mountain that gave the lodge and surrounding wilderness its name, and the densely wooded area it sat in.

With a dusting of powdery snow on the roof and a thin stream of smoke trailing out of the small pipe chimney the scene looked like something out of a painting, or a movie, Tabitha thought to herself. She avidly surveyed the surroundings.

Anything to distract her from the near constant chills that swept through her elicited by contact from the burly he-man who had insisted on carrying her. She did need the help, she conceded to herself. But he could have at least asked before going all Neanderthal. He might as well have thrown her over his shoulder and carried her off to the nearest cave.

Tabitha sighed, knowing she was being unfair. She just hated being helpless. She also tried to bank the new round of delicious tingles that erupted at the thought of being with he-man in a cave. Alone.

She sneaked a peek up at him through a thick fringe of lashes, taking in the close cropped light brown hair, just long enough on top to be tugged artlessly by the wind, making him look rugged and tousled at the same time.

His bright amber eyes, as unusual as they seemed to shift and swirl depending on how the sunlight hit them. A burnished bronze when they passed under the shade of giant evergreen, or molten gold in the full light. Tabitha thought she could happily spend days just trying to figure out their exact shade.

No! She mentally reprimanded herself. That wasn’t why she was here. She was at the lodge to find peace from the turmoil that had been haunting her life the past year, not hook up with some random stranger, no matter how incredibly handsome and devastatingly sexy he was.

She shivered again as she felt the strength of his arms supporting her as if she weighed nothing. This he-man made her body feel alive in a way Tabitha hadn’t experienced in, well, she couldn’t even remember. She thought her and her ex had chemistry, but that was nothing compared to the lust that was swamping her system.

She sighed in relief as they approached the solid pine door, afraid if she stayed in his big arms another minute she would something completely crazy, like kiss him senseless. After entering, albeit somewhat awkwardly since Sebastian refused to put her down, and had to fish his keys out of the pocket of his down coat while juggling her as well, he gently set her down on the large white couch.

It was the only other piece of furniture in the cabin except for an equally large king sized bed pushed into the corner, and a small wooden chair next to the counter in the kitchen. This was obviously a man’s space. It suddenly clicked, and Tabitha turned to Sebastian accusingly.

“This is your cabin!”

He just grinned unabashedly and shrugged those broad shoulders of his as he moved about the sparse cabin with ease, putting a kettle of water on the small two burner stove to heat up.

“Let’s put some ice on that ankle.” He grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and wrapped it in a kitchen towel, walking towards her.

Tabitha had to catch her breath as he stood, towering over her in a way that made her hyper aware of everything male about him. And Sebastian was very male. Every line of his perfectly sculpted body screamed raw masculinity, and it made her want to stare, and kiss, and touch, and all the other things that she knew she probably shouldn’t.

That didn’t stop the fantasy from playing out in her mind before she could mentally press the stop button, blushing beneath the mocha skin of her cheeks, tinting it a warmer brown that Sebastian couldn’t fail to notice. She just hoped he wouldn’t be able to tell the reason for her sudden flush.

He placed the ice pack over her ankle tenderly, and she was struck by the contradiction of his gentle actions and the strength she knew he possessed. Tingles erupted were his knuckles brushed against her shin as he smoothed the cold ice over her bruised ankle.

She hissed at the cold, but welcomed the relief from the relentless ache.

“Thanks.” Tabitha said softly, looking up at him through her long lashes again, this time trapped by his burning gaze, bright gold this time as he stared down at her, the muscles of his jaw flexing as he clenched his teeth.

“Anytime.” His voice was rough with desire, and she felt it like a caress. There was something about this man that dared her to be bad. And why not? Didn’t she come here to relax? Although the image she had in her mind of their bodies twined together was anything but relaxing.

He stepped away, breaking the momentary spell that he had cast over her. Tabitha shook her head, telling herself to stop it, but that didn’t help the steamy images that kept flooding her mind.

Sebastian stood at the single window facing the direction they had just walked up from, his back suddenly stiffening as he craned his neck to look toward the sky. He shook his head and then turned to her with a seductive grin teasing the corners of his delectable mouth.

“Well, it looks like you’re gonna be stuck here for a while.”

“What? I have to get back to the lodge. I can’t stay here.” She really did have to leave, if she stayed she wasn’t sure what would happen. Sebastian just shook his head ruefully again.

“Take a look outside, sweetheart. That storm’s about to drop.”

Tabitha leaned forward on the couch to get a better view out the window and had to bite back a curse. The skies that had just been crystal clear were now roiling violently, a flat mass of gray that sat heavy on the horizon and she could just make out the big flurries of snow starting to fall in waves.

“I guess you are stuck.” She glanced back up at Sebastian, and he just shrugged, again, not even bothering to hide his grin any longer. “Come on, it won’t be so bad.”

Tabitha sighed, that’s exactly what she was afraid of.

The smell of onions, peppers, and garlic sautéing in the pan filled Sebastian’s nose, momentary drowning out the scent of the gorgeous, sexy woman still glaring at him on his couch. He glanced outside. The snow was coming down fast and hard, he knew they weren’t going anywhere for a long while yet.

The thought sent a surge of masculine emotion through him, and he could practically hear his inner lion’s roar of approval. He had spent almost two years trying to reconnect with his other half, and this woman accomplished what he couldn’t in a matter of hours.

Sebastian glanced at her again. Her soft brown skin contrasted against the light material of the fabric, and he couldn’t help but imagine what his skin would look like against hers. Sliding, grasping, all light and dark twined together until you couldn’t tell were one began and the other ended.

He had to hold back a growl at the thought. Something about Tabitha drove both him, and his animal half, absolutely crazy. His big palms ached to touch her, to feel every curve, every hidden place.

The scent of garlic just starting to burn forced his attention back to what he was doing. He stirred, checked that the water in the pot next to the sauté pan was boiling, and dumped in a box of linguini noodles.

In just a few minutes he had two plates piled with steaming pasta and topped with red sauce, and a bottle of red wine. He walked over to hand Tabitha one, and then pulled up the only other chair so he could sit across from her. He didn’t trust himself to sit on the couch next to her. He wanted her so bad, his hands were shaking.

He opened the bottle and poured some into the white coffee mugs, the only cups in the cabin. He took a swig, trying not to chuckle at Tabitha’s look of disdain as she accepted the mug full of wine, but hummed in appreciation as she took a sip. In fact, Sebastian noticed, she made little noises throughout the meal, driving him insane and making it impossible to focus on his own food.

She would put a bite to her lips and moan as she tasted the tang of the marinara, or make some other sexy sound that threw Sebastian for a loop every time. All he could picture was her making those husky noises with her sweet lips wrapped around him, or riding on top of him, or taking her from behind while Tabitha was on her hands and knees.

That was one fantasy that triggered all of Sebastian’s male instincts, and he had to stand up and walk to the window until he could make his body calm down.

“Hey, who turned out the lights?” Sebastian turned around at Tabitha’s question, thankful for the sudden darkness that enclosed the inside of the cabin, hiding the evidence of his arousal.

“The storm probably knocked the power out. It happens all the time.” He was already walking around the room, lighting candle after candle until a soft, golden glow spread out over them, casting long, dark shadows as they flickered.

“So, we’re stuck here, and the power’s out, and I can’t walk because of my stupid ankle.”

Sebastian assumed an exaggerated contemplative look, then grinned at her, mischief shining in his amber eyes.

“That about sums it up, yeah.”

Tabitha couldn’t help the chuckle. He was so ridiculous. And handsome. And sexy. Oh, so sexy. Dangerously sexy. The turn of her thoughts had her blushing again, and Sebastian noticed, despite the dim light cocooning them in a feeling of intimacy.

She felt so comfortable around him, it didn’t make sense. The easy banter, the way he made her smile despite herself. Before she could stop herself, Tabitha wondered what it would be like to have a long term relationship with this mysterious man, so unlike all the others she had dated.

She roughly pushed that thought aside. But if she couldn’t have anything else, at least she could have tonight. Here, in this cabin, stuck with him in the candle lit dark, the storm raging outside blocking out the rest of the world and the rest of her problems, she couldn’t think anything she wanted to do but surrender to the feeling growing stronger inside her.

She had spent most of her life sacrificing the things she had wanted for her career, to be the best. But now, she wanted, and there was nothing stopping her from reaching for it with both hands.

“Sebastian,” she had to clear her throat as he turned from the window to her prone form.

“Sebastian, come over here.”

He took a step towards her before the words even really processed. Maybe it wasn’t what he hoped it was, thought it was. Maybe she just need more ice for her ankle, he told his overwrought body. It had stood to full attention at the sound of her roughly whispered words.

“Tabitha, I…” He trailed off, unsure of how to finish his sentence, not even knowing what he had meant to say as she reached up and stopped him with a small, delicately fingered hand to his chest. Although it landed more on his abs, making all the muscles there tense as pleasure from her touch flooded his system.

“Sebastian, I want you.” Her voice was so soft he could barely hear the words.

“I want you.” This time, her words stronger, there was no mistaking her meaning and he could have howled as the beast within him leapt, desperate for a taste of this delectable creature.

Sebastian gently scooped her up off the couch, walking the short distance to his giant four poster bed, and laid her down, being careful not to jostle her ankle.

“That makes me so glad to hear you say that. Because, darlin’, I’ve wanted you since the moment I first laid eyes on you.” He heard her breath caught as his raspy words tickled the side of her neck, just below her ear.

He leaned in, unable to resist the temptations of the curve of her neck, kissing sweetly with gentle pressure and then a sharp nip that had her gasping and writhing beneath him.

She was incredible. The way Tabitha responded to the slightest brush of his lips on her skin made him crazy, made him desperate to hear the sounds she would make when he was buried deep inside her.

Without waiting for another moment to pass, Sebastian had his shirt, boots and pants off, leaving him only in navy boxers. He made just as quick work of Tabitha’s clothes, and soon both of them were writhing against each other, the air ripe with sexual tension that left no room for teasing touches.

With a brutal kiss, Sebastian claimed her mouth for his own, leaning his hard body against all of her softness, but being careful to avoid her ankle. He couldn’t wait another minute to be inside her, filling her. He felt like an inexperienced cub, but this woman drove him crazy with the insistent tug of her fingers and husky moans tickling his ear.

They were both out of patience, not that they had much to begin with, and they kissed, pressing their bodies against each other in a desperate attempt to get closer. Feeling his control start to slip, Sebastian grasped the edge of her tiny lace panties and tugged, feeling them rip and then throwing the material to land somewhere on the floor with the rest of their clothes.

The head of his thick erection nested at her opening, and he panted, striving to go slow when all he wanted, all the beast inside him wanted, was to ravage her. Tabitha had other ideas. Sensing his intention to move slowly, she wrapped her thighs around his hips, and pulled him closer with her arms around his shoulders, simultaneously moving up to meet him.

That was all it took. Once he felt the sweet heaven of her hot pussy, he was completely lost, completely wild. Tabitha moaned in short gasps every time he thrust deep. He loved the way her soft skin felt wrapped around him, his hip pistoled in a wild rhythm he couldn’t control. His body was on fire, the lion inside him roaring for his mate as the friction of her tight heat brought him to the breaking point.

Suddenly, Sebastian pulled out of her snug center, a groan ripped from his chest at the amazing feeling. But before Tabitha could protest he had sat up, and wrapping his hands once more around her waist, had her flipping over onto her stomach, before rising up to kneel in front of him.

He thought he whimpered, but he wasn’t sure. The sight of her ass curved up at him, begging for him, made him loose the little sliver of control he had left. Just as

Tabitha arched her back, he lined up behind her, smoothing hot hands over each hip, and gripping with a gentle but firm touch.

In one swift move, he was seated all the way inside her, as deep as he could go, and he was rewarded by another one of Tabitha’s deep, husky moans of pleasure. He was lost. The line between man and animal faded completely and the only thing running through his mind were the words mine, mine, mine, over and over with each thrust.

Some emotion caught in his through as a wave of something darkly possessive swept through him. He leaned forward, curving his body around hers, touching as much as he could as he felt her entire body tense as she released a scream of ecstasy that had him howling in satisfaction.

Her sweet, wet pussy clenched down on his thick cock and triggered his own release, unable to hold back any longer. He groaned low and load as he came explosively, every ounce of pleasure ripped from his body. Tabitha collapsed bonelessly beneath him, but before he could follow her he felt a sudden shift under his skin.

He jumped up in surprise. Really. Now! After almost two years of trying to shift into his lion form, it decides now of all times to cooperate, after the best orgasm he had ever had. And he wasn’t near finished with this incredible woman.

He leaned down to touch his lips gently to Tabitha’s warm cheek, her eyes still closed in bliss, and she just mumbled incoherently at him. Quickly grabbing his coat, he flew out the door of the cabin and into the storm just as the change overtook him.

Tabitha turned over, searching out the warmth that was missing on the bed next to her, but found nothing but rumple sheets and the smell of sex. She cracked an eye open and saw that it was quite dark in the cabin now, the candles blown out. She sat up, searching the darkness for Sebastian.

She must have fallen asleep after their bout of lovemaking. And, oh my god, that was incredible. She had never felt that sort of explosive reaction with anyone before, not even the man she was going to marry. She shuddered at the thought. In a way, she felt relieved, especially now knowing what true chemistry felt like.

She tried to deny she felt anything more, but Tabitha had to be honest with herself. What she had experienced had been more than just lust, that she knew, but the feelings were too new, too fragile, to put any title to.

Curious now as to where Sebastian had gone to in the small cabin, she got up and lit a few of the candles, but the space was empty save for herself. His jacket was missing, though the rest of his clothes were still laying haphazardly around the floor where they had been discarded earlier.

Where the hell was that man! She caught a flash of something big outside the window and moved closer to see what it was. She stood absolutely breathless as she watched the most beautiful creature she had ever seen running outside in the snow.

The large animal had fur the color of straw, but more luminous, and a giant tawny mane that ruffled with every leap through the snow. The tracks it left behind were massive wherever its paws travelled.

Tabitha finally released her breath. She didn’t realize there were any lions out there, and it seemed so out of place in the winter wonderland setting. She was caught off guard again as she realized it was playing. Pouncing in the snow, shooting up clouds of the powdery white stuff. He leapt trying to catch snowflakes in his giant muzzle.

She couldn’t help the delighted laugh as it crouched as if to pounce, and then leapt up into the air reaching for a drooping pine branch, pregnant with pinecones. He knocked one loose, and batted it about like he was an oversized kitten. Tabitha was enchanted.

She wondered briefly why she wasn’t the least bit afraid of this dangerous creature, but shrugged it off. It was almost like she knew him, he was almost familiar to her. The way he sat in the snow, tongue lolling as he panted, and the look on his feline face seemed to be grinning out at the forest.

A charge of trepidation surged through her as the enormous beast sauntered closer to the cabin. And kept getting closer. She gasped as he walked right up to the door, but she lost sight of him as he passed out of view of the window.

The sounds of something rubbing against the wood panels of the door had her breath suddenly coming in short gasps as she hurriedly looked around the cabin for something to defend herself with just in case the creature decided to try and come inside.

All she could find was the heavy pan that Sebastian had made dinner for her in the night before, and she held it up above her shoulder like a baseball bat, ready to swing.

Another scratching sound, and then a soft whine preceded the door handle being jostled. Lions didn’t use door handles did they? They didn’t even have opposable thumbs!

Tabitha felt panic and adrenaline rush through her as she started backing away. Suddenly, the door flew open and there was…Sebastian. He stopped as soon as he saw her standing, leaning her weight against the couch to avoid stepping on her hurt ankle just a few feet in front of him, breath labored, holding his cast iron pan like a weapon. And she looked ready to use it.

“Hi, Tabitha.” Sebastian looked around uncomfortably, shifting nervously as he stood in nothing but a coat thrown over his broad shoulders.

“Hi, Sebastian.” She still hadn’t put down the pan. “What the hell is going on?

“Just, put that down, okay?”

“No. I don’t think so.” She shifted her hands to get a better grip.

“There was a lion outside. I saw it.”

Sebastian’s face went completely blank, an expression that looked so unnatural to her. Grinning, teasing, yes, but not this emotionless mask.

“Are you sure? There aren’t really lions out here.” He tried to chuckle but it sounded forced, and he gave up with a sigh. “What else did you see?”

“Well, there was a lion. He walked up to the door, and then.” Tabitha had to pause so she could swallow past the lump forming in her throat. “And then, you were here, opening the door.”

She finally let the weight go as she lowered her arms.

“What does that even mean, Sebastian?” She just looked at him, confused and a hint of fear shining in her big, dark eyes. He hated seeing that fear, knowing that he had caused it.

“Ouch!”

Sebastian rushed forward at her sound of pain as she accidentally put weight on her injured ankle without realizing it. He scooped her up, ignoring her protest, and laid her in the bed again. Their scent still lingered, distracting him for a moment as he tried to figure what to say, how to explain. How to tell this woman he found himself falling so unexpectedly for that he was a lion.

She stared up at him with those dark chocolate eyes and he wished he could just undo the last few minutes. But for all of that, he still felt the joy of the shift surging through him, filling him with happiness and a sense of peace that he had been missing for almost two years. And it was all because of her.

Sebastian took a deep breath.

“I’m a were lion.” He looked at her under lowered brows, but continued when she didn’t say anything. “I am half man, half lion. I can shift into my lion form, which is what you saw outside.” He paused, giving her a chance to take it in, to say something, anything. But she remained silent, just staring at him.

“It’s actually kind of a miracle. You see, I haven’t been able to connect to my shifter form in almost two years. Too long keeping it hidden, pushing it away, and then, when I saw you at the pond, I could feel it. Him. My other half.” He slowly took a step closer and sat on the edge of the bed, his hip next to her calf. His amazement turned his eyes a burnished gold, shining with sincerity as he tentatively took her still hand in his.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but you saw it, with your own eyes.” His gaze was glued to Tabitha’s face.

“You…saved me. You made me whole again,” he stopped, overwhelmed by the emotion.

“I can never repay you for that.”

Sebastian was startled by Tabitha’s quick chuckle, more an exhalation of pent up breath than a true laugh.

“You carried me back here, and took care of me when I hurt my ankle, made me dinner with candle light,” she grinned a little at that, some of the tension in her shoulders easing.

“And made me…the way you...I’ve never,” Tabitha paused, her blush running like fire over her cheeks, trying to get the right words out.

“What I mean to say, is you made incredible love to me, and I’ve never felt that way with anyone. That is a true gift.” Tabitha shrugged, “I think we can call it even.”

Sebastian grinned as he crawled up the bed towards her.

“Sooo, you’re not freaking out about the whole lion shifter thing?”

“Oh no, I am definitely freaking out. We are going to have to talk about that. A long talk. And you’ll have to show me. I want to see it happen, so maybe I can make sense of everything. But first…” Tabitha grabbed his shoulders, pulling him down on top of her, “First, I have something else in mind.”

Sebastian’s grin somehow widened, became more sensual as his lips brushed hers in the softest, sweetest kiss.

“I like the way you think, Ms. Jones.”

Tabitha drove down the winding gravel road with her big, dark chocolate eyes as wide as they could go. Drinking in the gorgeous mountain views that peeked through the snow-dusted evergreens lining the path. She cracked her window just enough to breath in the crisp, crystal clear air tinged with the scent of pine that was exactly like she remembered as a little girl.

The pine boughs were heavy with last night’s snow fall, making everything look perfect and clean, almost pristine. She could just make out the tiny foot prints of small woodland creatures that had been out scampering in the early morning and it made her smile to herself.

As she continued up the icy road, she slowed as the White Mountain lodge peeked into view. It stood solid, cheerful, and beautiful. As much a part of this wilderness as the trees of the mountain itself.

Tabitha pulled her red SUV into the parking spot with her name on it and parked. Getting out of the car, she grabbed her oversized tote from the back seat and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet pine scent that always permeated the air around the lodge.

After a year, she still couldn’t believe that she had found this place. Or that it had found her. The lodge had become her new home, offering her a beautiful space to stay, and permanent position teaching five to ten year olds how to ice skate.

It was a dream come true, and when she thought back to where she had been a year ago, she almost didn’t recognize the stressed out, hyper tense person she used to be. She was so much happier now, sometimes she had to pinch herself just to make sure it was real.

Tabitha walked inside and saw Bea standing in her usual spot behind the massive wooden counter that served as a front desk. Bea looked up as Tabitha neared, beaming at her, her robin’s egg blue eyes shining merrily in welcome.

“Lovely!” Tabitha always smiled when Bea used her nickname for her.

“How are you, dear?” There was a warmth that emanated from the older lady that never ceased to amaze her. Especially after finding out the truth. As it happened, Bea had been the same woman working there when Tabitha was a little girl. As a dragon shifter, she had a much longer life span that humans, or even other species of shifters.

It took Tabitha a long time to get over the shock of that discovery, but as she continued to work at the lodge she soon realized that Bea was the most kind-hearted person…er, dragon, that she had ever met. She always had a nice word and a hug for everyone, and the work that she was doing at the lodge was astounding.

The shifters who came to White Mountain Lodge needed sanctuary, and peace. And Bea always knew what to say, or how to act, to make everything better. It was a skill Tabitha hoped she could pick up on.

“I’m doing great!” Tabitha set her big bag down behind the counter with a clunk as her skates rattled together inside.

“I was hoping to get a little time in on the ice before the little ones get here.” She checked her watch, she had just over an hour before her first class started arriving.

Bea stepped closer, a knowing smile on her face as she patted Tabitha’s rounded belly, just starting to show under her tight athletic long sleeved shirt.

“And what about this little one, huh?” Bea’s voice softened as she whispered to baby, “how are you doing, sweetie?”

Tabitha rolled her eyes, albeit good naturedly. Ever since she had announced her pregnancy, Bea had made this her daily morning ritual. Whispering words to the little baby growing inside her. In six short months, Bea would get to ask the baby itself, instead of talking at her stomach.

She grabbed her skates from her bag, waved a goodbye to Bea, and set off for the pond. Walking the now familiar path up the small incline, she took a moment just to stare at the beauty of this wild, magical place.

There was nowhere else like it, and Tabitha loved the fact that it was unique, and that she had finally found her place here. Spying the bench on the other side of the pond, she trudged through the freshly fallen snow, and scoped out the ice on the pond. But it looked like someone had already been there to clear it off, and now the ice was smooth and shiny, glistening in the mid-morning sunlight.

Tabitha sat, taking off her boots, and replacing them with ice skates, the leather warn from use but soft and molded perfectly to her feet. She thought back to that first day here, so long ago. She had tried to go skating, but it had been too early in the season and the surface had cracked, causing the blade to stick. She had twisted her ankle and Sebastian had been there instantly, carrying her around like some he-man.

The memory made her chuckle, and she cupped her arms around her burgeoning middle. Before long she would have to take a break from skating, but for now, the ice looked perfect.

She slid gracefully onto the ice, not trying any complicated tricks or jumps, simply enjoying the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that always came over her when she was skating.

The bright morning sun made everything look hazy in the beams of light, like she was still dreaming. She looked over at a noise, but didn’t see anything. Tabitha continued skating in lazy circles before calling out.

“I know you’re there Sebastian!”

He appeared from behind some trees and sauntered towards her.

“How do you always know when I’m there? I’m the one who’s supposed to have animal hearing.”

“You’re not very graceful?” Tabitha tried with a shrug. It was a blatant lie and they both knew it. He moved with all the grace his king of jungle side had. Which was a lot. It took her breath away sometimes, watching him move, the gleam in his golden eyes when he looked at her. Just like he was looking now.

“What are you doing out here by yourself? I thought you promised you would be careful.” He walked onto the ice, the tread of his boots providing enough traction that he didn’t slide as he moved towards her. When he reached her, he wrapped his big arms around her, hugging her from behind so his hands rested on the swell of her belly.

“We have a little cub to take care of now.” The pride and joy in his voice was unmistakable, and warmed her to the core despite the chilly morning breeze.

“I’m always careful.” She scrunched her nose up at him, and he laughed, grinning that silly grin of his that always made her heart feel like it was doing cartwheels in her chest.

“Uh huh, sure. It took you two extra months to heal that ankle because you refused to stay still.”

“I can’t help it, I’m used to moving.”

“Oh baby, you know how much I like it when you move.”

“Stop it, Sebastian.” Tabitha turned in his arms with a laugh. “My class starts in less than twenty minutes, the kids are going to start getting here.”

His only reply was a husky laugh and a sexy grin.

“Well, we better move fast then.”

Tabitha’s grin matched his as he swept her up into his arms, just like had almost a year ago, and started in the direction of their cabin. She couldn’t hold back the shriek of laughter as he broke into a run, and she threw her arms around his neck. She had no intention of letting go.