CHAPTER 27
CHLOE
Chloe felt… small. And she was pretty sure she didn’t have arms anymore.
She tried to take a step forward, and tipped over on a duvet that seemed a hell of a lot bigger than it had been thirty seconds ago.
“Mathis, what the hell just happened?” she tried to shout, but all that came out was a… chirp?
Oh my fucking WHAT.
*Chloe, try not to freak out. Can you hear me?*
Mathis’ voice appeared in her head, a warm, familiar murmur. In her head. Not through her ears.
She tried to shout again, but only managed a few chirps that even to her sounded panicked.
Looking at Mathis only helped a bit. The expression of concern on his face was gratifying, but not how big he was.
Oh god, Chloe thought, horrified. I’ve shrunk? And I’ve got wings? Am I a bird?
Mathis reached out one massive hand. It was the same size as she was. Flustered, Chloe pecked at it, then hopped back, embarrassed.
Shit. I should have known something like this would happen. But now?
If she’d had teeth, she would have grated them.
Mathis pulled his hand back. The look in his eyes was part concern, part—humor?
*Well I’m glad you find this funny,* she thought grumpily.
Mathis’ eyes widened. *Chloe—do that again. Think at me. It’s how we can communicate when you’re—you’re a shifter.* His mental voice was hushed with wonder. *Since when are you a shifter?*
Since… Chloe concentrated. *Since… now? I don’t know! I told you I wanted to talk to you about… stuff, right?*
*And this is “stuff”?* The corner of Mathis’ mouth quirked.
*Stop teasing me and tell me how to change back!*
Mathis reached out again, and this time Chloe managed not to peck him. He held his hand still at her side and she leaned into it, feeling her feathers—feathers!—rustling against the rough skin on his palm.
Her heartbeat slowed. Even in this form, Mathis’ touch calmed her. Made her feel like everything was all right. She took a deep breath and looked across at him.
He was frowning. *It’s been a while since I learned how to do this, but… think human thoughts.*
*Human thoughts?* Chloe chittered her beak in frustration. *I think I was thinking pretty human thoughts when this happened, actually!*
That made him laugh. Mathis covered his face with one hand, chuckling helplessly. Which Chloe could appreciate—God it was nice to see him smile again, and laugh—but, seriously. Bird.
*All right.* Mathis’ mental voice was gentle, a telepathic caress. *It happened when I called you my mate, didn’t it?*
A frisson went through Chloe. *Yes. And you kissed me.*
*Maybe that’s what woke up your shifter nature.* Mathis’ golden eyes glowed as he looked down at her. *Me claiming you as my mate.*
Chloe shivered as that strange feeling struck her again. Mathis’ mate. The idea had been the source of so much pain for both of them, but now… it felt right.
More than that. Something inside Chloe seemed to settle into place, a feeling of wholeness she never knew she was missing.
She looked into Mathis’ eyes, losing herself in their golden depths. Mathis’ mate… Harper had tried to make their bond into something cruel, a chain, but it wasn’t. It was beautiful, and strong, and she knew her mate would keep her safe forever.
She knew what to do. Looking deep inside herself, Chloe found her human form, waiting patiently for her. She slipped into it like a familiar shirt, and her body stretched and grew, wings transforming into arms, hard beak into soft lips. Lips that were so ready to be kissed.
Chloe crawled across the bed to where Mathis was kneeling. She ran her hands through his hair, and pulled him close.
“So, yeah,” she said, feeling strangely awkward. “I guess I’m a shifter. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so… quickly.”
“But you knew you were?” Mathis’ eyebrows furrowed. Chloe waited for the spark of uncertainty inside her, but it never came. She would never fear Mathis rejecting her again. She was his—and he was hers. Forever.
“I didn’t know,” she explained, stroking the back of his head. “I suspected. I mean, not at first, but after something Harper said that last day—in the tower—” Her voice shook slightly, and Mathis arms tightened around her. She let her head fall on her shoulder, feeling utterly safe and protected. Remembering how close she and Mathis had come to death that day made her throat close over with fear—but it hadn’t happened. They had gotten out. Everyone had gotten out.
“Well, it made me start thinking about things,” she said, drawing lazy circles on the back of Mathis’ neck. “I’ve always had this… thing I do. Getting people to stop paying attention to something I don’t want them to notice. And it works really well, like, so well that some of my friends call it my Jedi mind trick.” She kissed Mathis where his neck met his shoulder. “You know. These are not the shifters you’re looking for.”
Mathis rested his chin on her head. “You think that’s how you got past Harper’s hiring process in the first place?”
He understands. Chloe closed her eyes, a warm rush of love for Mathis—for her mate—filling her. Of course he understood. Mathis was smart; he only played dumb when he was being Matt Dell.
“Yeah. I used it a lot during the interviews. And after I figured out what Harper was doing with the lights—distraction techniques—and what he said… well, I asked Lance about it during the debrief, and he assigned one of his meerkat agents to check up on it. But I wasn’t sure until, well…”
“Until right now?”
“You got it.”
Mathis nuzzled her ear. “I’m glad I was here for your first time.”
Chloe’s heart melted. “I am, too,” she said. “Even if it was really bad timing. Speaking of which…” All this stroking and nuzzling was reminding her of those very human thoughts she’d been having earlier. “Didn’t you say something about the mate bond needing to be strengthened by… closeness?” she said, a wicked smile teasing at her lips.
Mathis purred. “That must have been from my very stupid period. Keeping you out of my bed hasn’t so far been an effective way of keeping you out of my bed.” He hesitated. “Or do I mean out of my head—or—”
Chloe groaned theatrically and flung herself backwards, pulling Mathis with her. He followed with catlike grace, covering her body with his own and claiming her lips with a passionate kiss.
Chloe froze, just for a second, but it was long enough for Mathis to figure out what was wrong. He chuckled. “Worried you’ll turn into a bird again?”
She growled at him. “You’re very funny for someone who’s risking being cock-blocked by my magical voyage of self-discovery.”
“Growling?” Mathis lowered his head to nip at her chin. “That’s not very bird-like.”
“Oh, should I peck out your eyes instead?” Chloe poked out her tongue. “Oh come on. You don’t even have to take my clothes off this time, I’m already—mmmf…”
Chloe’s words dissolved into a moan of pleasure as Mathis lowered himself onto her. The hard ridge of his erection pressed against her stomach, sending thrills of excitement down her spine to spark between her legs.
“Let’s experiment,” Mathis murmured into her ear. Her fingers found the hem of his shirt as though drawn there, and she slid her hands underneath, glorying in the hard planes of his abs and chest.
“Experiment?”
Mathis pulled away just long enough to whip his shirt off, and then he was on her again. The sensation of his chest pressing against her breasts was electric, sparks singing across her skin.
“We need to—” Mathis broke off, running his lips along her collar bone. “Mmm. I was saying, if you’re going to go feathery without warning, we need to experiment to see what your triggers are…”
“Oh stop it.” Chloe giggled, then hissed in pleasure as Mathis’ hand ghosted up her side. “I’m not going to shift again. I’m—mmm—definitely too distracted for that.”
“Huh. I bet you would have said the same thing ten minutes ago.”
“Hey!” Chloe tried to jab him in the chest but he grabbed her finger and bit on it playfully. “You—”
She broke off, sensation flooding her mind as Mathis sucked on her nipple, swirling his tongue around the hardened nub.
“Hmm.” Mathis glanced up at her, his golden eyes dancing. “Still human…”
Chloe let out a tsk and rolled her eyes—and then her whole body flexed as Mathis brushed his lips lower, kissing his way down the sensitive skin over her ribs to the hot cleft between her legs.
Toes curling, Chloe almost missed his next words, though she felt his hot breath on her most sensitive skin.
“Maybe this…”
Mathis closed his lips over Chloe’s clit. Her whole body was already quivering with anticipation and this final touch was too much. The tip of his tongue lapped out and Chloe came with a scream, pleasure exploding through her.
She clutched at Mathis’ hair and he raised his head, lips wet, eyes burning. When he dipped down again and ran his tongue across her sensitized skin, Chloe saw stars. Her body was still shaking with the force of her orgasm but every lap of Mathis’ skillful tongue drew more pleasure from her until she thought her body would shake apart.
Mathis brushed his thumb along the inside of her thigh and she shouldn’t have been able to feel it, not when his tongue was doing such amazing things only inches away, but she could. She could feel everything, every part of him that was touching her.
His tongue. His lips. His hands, the possessive grip of his fingertips in her soft flesh, the hard planes of his sides against her legs as she wrapped them around him.
A constellation of pleasure was building inside her, sharper and more powerful than anything she had ever felt before. Her core ached with need.
“Enough,” she gasped. “Please—I need—”
Mathis rose above her with feline speed, cupping her face in one hand. “Say it.”
“I want to feel you inside me.” Chloe’s voice was throaty with desire. “Please, Mathis, I’ve been waiting for so long—”
Her legs fell open beneath him and she could feel the hard ridge of his erection against her folds. So close. He slid one hand around her waist, still cupping her face with the other.
Chloe stared into his eyes. His pale gold irises were the thinnest ring around deep black pupils, heavy with lust. And more than that. Love. She felt an answering burst of emotion in her own heart.
“My mate,” she whispered, and Mathis thrust into her.
Chloe gasped out a breath, eyes closing automatically as she gloried in the feeling of Mathis’ cock inside her. He filled her perfectly, stretching her just enough that every nerve ending inside her flared white-hot.
Mathis’ fingers curled against her cheek. “My mate. My perfect, beautiful, wonderful Chloe. I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
She wound her fingers through his. “Me too.”
To be honest, she hadn’t even thought about it. Hadn’t thought farther than seeing him again. But she knew it was the truth. It felt right. It felt perfect.
Just like him.
“I love you,” she whispered, and Mathis crushed his lips against hers, claiming her with a passionate kiss.
“I love you too.” The words went straight from his mouth to Chloe’s heart.
He pulled out of her, slowly, and then filled her again. Deep need made Chloe breathless and she knew that no matter how slow he went, she wouldn’t be able to keep control for long.
And this time, she promised herself, she would keep her eyes open.
Chloe pushed her fingers through Mathis’ hair. He hadn’t cut it; it was long enough for her to grab, long enough to hold onto. Just like he’d promised the first time.
Her breath grew ragged as Mathis plunged into her again and again. She met his rhythm, grinding her hips against him with every thrust.
Their bodies were completely in sync. Mathis thrust into her harder, faster, and she moved with him, drowning in his golden shifter eyes and lost in the pleasure of their bodies moving together. Mathis was so strong and powerful, and he looked down at Chloe with a fierce tenderness that sent her straight over the edge.
Chloe cried out as pleasure pulsed through her, legs clamped around Mathis’ waist and fingers digging into his scalp. She felt Mathis tense above her and fixed her eyes on him. She wanted to see his pleasure.
He drove into her, his whole body clenched and trembling as he came. She found his lips, kissing and biting at them until he wrapped both arms around her and kissed her back, still buried deep inside her.
Chloe nipped him gently on the lower lip, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “What was that you said about spending the rest of our lives together?” she murmured.
Mathis stroked her hair back off her forehead, eyes glowing pale gold. “You must know I’m serious. I was stupid enough to let you go once, but not again. We’re meant to be together. You’re mine… and I’m yours. Forever.”
Chloe trailed her fingertips over his cheekbones, across the light dusting of stubble on his jaw. “That sounds perfect.” She kissed him again.
“You can feel it, can’t you?” Mathis murmured against her lips. “The connection between us. The mate bond. Since you’re a shifter—”
“I think I’ve felt it since the moment I first saw you,” Chloe admitted. Her hands ghosted down his shoulders, along the muscles of his back. Even panting and sated, she couldn’t stop touching him. “Even before I knew what I was. Which is… uhh… you know, I didn’t exactly get a good look at myself…”
She didn’t feel self-conscious; she didn’t think she’d ever feel self-conscious again, not with the knowledge of Mathis’ love lodged like a burning ember inside her heart. But that didn’t make it any less strange that she was a shifter, and didn’t even know what she shifted into.
Is that weird? she thought, and something inside her ruffled its feathers in a way that clearly meant: Oh, hell yes it is.
Mathis grimaced. “Honestly? I grew up here in the city. If it’s not a pigeon, I don’t know what it is. And you’re not a pigeon.” He rolled over, pulling her on top of him, and flashed her a very cat-like grin. “Why don’t we take a photo next time you shift, and put it on your social media for the world to ID you?”
“Oh shut up.” Chloe batted him gently on one ear, hiding her grin in his shoulder. Mathis combed his fingers through her hair.
“You know I’ve been fielding calls about that all week? Everyone wants in on this secret Harry Potter Fight Club movie I’m apparently starring in…”
“Nooooo,” Chloe moaned into his shoulder.
Mathis laughed out loud. “I’m not mad. And if anyone gets mad about what you did to get us off that island, they’ll have to answer to me.” He grabbed her chin and gently pulled her face to his. “You—” He kissed her. “—are—” Another kiss. “—beautiful, and smart, and the most amazing woman to ever walk on Earth. Or fly above it, when you figure out how to fly.”
“Oh my God.” A smile of pure wonder stretched across her face. “I’m going to fly.”
Mathis put his hands behind his head, smiling up at her with hooded eyes. “You know, it’s going to take some getting used to, you being a shifter. What if I don’t recognize you when you’re in bird form?”
Chloe narrowed her eyes back at him, pushing herself up with her forearms on his muscular chest. What is he getting at?
“I’m going to need to get something to identify you by. Something like one of those ID bands rangers put on endangered birds. Something like… a ring.”
Chloe’s breath caught. “A—a ring?” she squeaked. “You mean—I thought—do shifters—?”
Mathis cupped her cheek in one hand. “Shifters will know you’re mine because of the mate bond, but I want the world to know. I want everyone to know how much I love you, Chloe Kent. Humans, shifters, the whole world. Will you be my wife?”
For a moment, Chloe couldn’t speak. Her heart felt like it was about to burst, she was so happy.
Then she realized she didn’t need to speak. Not out loud, at least.
She focused, pouring all her feelings of love and happiness down the mate bond toward her beloved. *I love you. I love you so, so much. Of course I’ll marry you.*