Chapter Seven
Felix
Reaching into someone’s mind was as second nature to me as breathing. I think this hurting fox was giving me permission—I hoped he was. The yearning to know more about him plagued my thoughts.
I touched his neck, not a necessary step, but one that helped me deepen the connection. He had some walls, but nothing I couldn’t deal with—none thick enough to keep me out.
This is my voice, Rogue. Can you hear me?
A lick to my face confirmed it before a low and smooth voice came into my mind, answering me. I’m here, Felix. And my name is Locus.
We both chuckled mentally. I still might call him Rogue from time to time—if he stayed around for a while. I hoped like hell he would.
Can you show me the last time you shifted to human, Locus?
I didn’t wait long before images of running through the forest came to mind. I actually knew the place. It wasn’t far from my lands. I could feel the damp leaves of the forest floor on my paws, his paws, as he shared the run with me. The smell of rain and damp bark filled my nose while the sounds of animals rising to the morning sun arose in the distance.
Then his body began to change as he approached a waterfall, not terribly far from my home or from Haven. I’d been there once. If my timing had been better, would we have met? From four legs, he moved to two, and I caught a glimpse of Locus’ human form in the reflection of the rushing water. He was young, younger than I thought he was now, sitting next to me.
How long ago was this?
Locus answered in my mind. So long ago. Probably more than five years. Maybe eight? I don’t know. He sounded so distressed, but wouldn’t I be if I didn’t know what time had passed? How old I even was? But I guessed he probably had a better feel for the time than he realized. And it was likely closer to eight than five.
No wonder he was having trouble getting back to human. It had been too long. Same with his animal. If we stayed human too long, it suppressed our beasts until they were in a prison they didn’t know how to get out of.
Good thing I had some keys. One might work with Locus.
Remember yourself as a human. Keep bringing me through the vision. What did you do next? Feel your human side, Locus. Remember him.
Suddenly I was thrust back to the vision. The waterfall rushing around him as he sploshed through the warm water. He sat down, and the lulling warmth came up over his head as he dipped down into the pool.
Remember skin and two legs, how that water warmed you, cleansed your skin, and relaxed your body. Call him—your human. Call to him.
Seconds went by, and I knew he was trying. He was an omega, that part was for sure. And I was an alpha, but not his alpha, at least I didn’t know if I was or not, not like this. Still, as an alpha, I would try.
His alpha could coax his human omega to emerge.
Locus, as an alpha, I call to your human. Come out and let your beast rest. See me. Let me see—let me see my omega in his human form. Your alpha calls to you.
My words were all it took. The power and connection between this omega and myself was so palpable that my body shook with its power as the fox next to me began the shifting process. Still connected to him mentally, I rode the waves of pain with him, both the physical and the pain of shifting consciousness after so long of being dormant. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy process, but it had to be done. This omega deserved a life.
The unease was so great, I closed my eyes and focused on the task at hand. As I did, he showed me some memories, rather—he showed me a horror film of sorts. So much trauma. So much hurt and anguish. He’d been so alone, in fear for his life and the lives of others…
No wonder he remained an animal. He was safer that way.
My eyes were still closed when I heard a clearing of a throat and a hand on the back of my neck, much in the way I’d had my hand on Rogue’s neck not so long ago.
“Felix.” A low voice shocked me out of his mind. I opened my eyes and gasped at the man before me. He was thin with a six-pack that most men crave. Not a shred of fat on his body, his muscles still twitched with the change. I held my breath as my gaze reached his face, knowing that he was beyond gorgeous.
He didn’t disappoint. Reddish-brown hair was his crown against deep-brown eyes that studied me even more intently than I studied him. His jaw was square and pronounced, framing full lips and an almost-perfect nose.
My stare went lower to where he tried with both hands to hide a throbbing erection. I swallowed against the lust that already pooled in my groin at the sight of it. Clearing my throat, I reached for his leg to examine it.
The change had healed it. What was broken was now solid, and all that remained of his injury were the popped stitches and a faint pink line marking the tear.
“You’re healed,” I said, still shaking but now for a different reason.
This man wasn’t just some man naked in my bed. Our connection was so strong. I knew it was more.
This man, this rogue fox, this gorgeous male, was my omega.