“The eyes are a warning.” Dom smiled wolfishly as the boys leaned forward eagerly. “To run.” They leapt back as Dom snapped his teeth, their fear turning to giggles as he growled for their entertainment.
He wrestled with them until Monster begged him to shift into a wolf. Dom glanced at me, a question in his eyes and I shrugged. It didn’t matter to me if he shifted for them. I could understand Monster’s fascination. He’d begun to hero worship Dom and knowing one day he’d be able to do the same thing had to be thrilling.
“Alright,” Dom agreed, throwing me a smirk as he hooked his thumbs on the waistband his shorts. “I’ve only got the one pair,” he told me nonchalantly.
I waved my hand with the loftiness of a queen. “Proceed. I find myself curious as well.” I tucked my hands under my butt after that so I wouldn’t chicken out and cover my eyes. I’d learned that nudity among shifters was normal, it just wasn’t my normal. Add in the fact that it was Dominic and I could excuse the fact that my breath came a little faster.
He arched his eyebrow at my comment, but I kept my gaze steady and he nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He turned slightly, giving me a side view as his shorts dropped, and my lips parted as a gasp escaped. He was the same golden color all over, and while I’d never considered myself a fan of butts, his was the exception. The taut buns flexed as he glanced over his shoulder at me, smirking when my gaze stayed glued to the magnificent display.
The air seemed to shimmer around him and I watched in awe as a huge black wolf shook himself. There was definitely magic in the shift, I decided as the boys made admiring noises. They stood still, uncertain how to approach the massive wolf whose head stood higher than their own. Dom looked at me, those familiar yellow eyes all too human as he shot me a pleading glance.
How? The thought pierced through me with a sense of helplessness. He didn’t want to scare them even though they’d asked to see him shift.
Lower yourself, I told him. You’re big. It’s intimidating.
Do I intimidate you? The question came at me with the speed of a freight train and I sat stunned as he lowered his belly to the ground in front of the boys. Jess?
No, I answered, my response automatic. But I knew it was true. He didn’t intimidate me. He never had even when he’d tried. The boys crept closer to Dom, pushing their fingers into his fur and he rolled over, showing his belly as his back wiggled in the grass. I snorted back a laugh. Yeah, I’m super intimidated by you, Dom.
He gave a low rumble, the sound more contented than menacing as the boys sat next to him, petting the wolf that could snap both their necks in an instant if he wanted.
I watched as he rolled around with them, letting them clamber all over him. I was distracted when a familiar person started jumping and waving their hands over their head trying to catch my attention. I glanced at Dom but he seemed to be occupying the boys so I stood up and walked over.
“Is there a reason you couldn’t come over?” I asked pointedly, glancing back as her son rolled over Dom’s back.
“I’m not ready,” she whispered, never taking her eyes off her brother as he played with his nephew for the first time.
“He’s going to be at the party tonight.” I paused. “Your dad too.”
“I know,” she answered, her face tight.
“Are you going to hide in your room then?”
“No,” she said sharply, finally looking at me. “You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t because you won’t tell me. Kind of like you didn’t tell me where you were going this morning.” I raised my hand. “And don’t say the store because we both know that’s a lie.”
She had the grace to look ashamed but she also didn’t answer.
“He loves you, you know.”
“I know,” she replied defensively. “Its hard.” After a few minutes of silence, she looked at me, her eyes glossy. “It was my fault. I was the one that turned my back on them. How do I ask them to forgive that?”
My eyes went back to Dom and the laughing boys tumbling over him. “I don’t think you have to ask,” I answered finally.
A van pulled into the parking lot then, cutting our conversation short when I saw who was driving. “They’re back,” I said unnecessarily.
Sam eased back, her eyes lingering on her brother for a second before she said, “I’ll go help them unload.”
I nodded, moving to rejoin the boys when I caught sight of who was in the passenger seat of the van. I stopped, slipping to the shadow of the building as I watched Anna climb out of the van. I’d given her Trent’s number earlier that week, but I hadn’t realized she’d used it.