Page 34 of Claimed

Of course, I know it’s awkward, only shifting when all five of them were surrounding me. I’m not sure what else I can do but wait and hope it all works itself out, like Maddox keeps telling me it will.

I hear splashing and turn my eyes back to the pool where Chase and Hunter are walking out in their human forms, completely naked.

I don’t know what comes over me at that moment; I have always made myself turn away when they’ve been changing or shifting, but for some reason, this time I don’t.

Chase steps out first, and my eyes take in his chest. It’s large, not as big as Bain but still extremely impressive. The best part is the artwork covering it. Intricate designs cover his muscles, making him look like a work of art. My eyes catch the movement of the water, trailing down between his legs.

I feel my mouth grow dry at the sight of his package. He must shave because there isn’t a hair in sight. He’s not hard, but the size of it is much bigger than I expected. That thing is going to get bigger? And grow a knot?

I’m pretty sure my body is much too small to accommodate that. It’s a third leg, not a dick.

“See something you like, blue?”

My eyes dart up to his smirking face. He pushes a hand through his wet, pink hair, not bothering to cover himself up. I guess he has nothing to be ashamed of after all.

Hunter steps up to his side, and my eyes move to him. He has similar tattoos on his chest to Chase, but also covers his left arm. He’s not as large as his brother, but every inch of him looks delicious. Why do I suddenly have the urge to lick him?

I search for the well of magic inside me to help me shift, but it’s still a slippery little prick, slipping from my grasp and keeping me stuck in my wolf form.

My eyes find their way to the juncture between his thighs, and I'm somewhat delighted to see that in this aspect, he is identical to his twin.

He clears his throat, and my eyes trail back up his tantalizing body to meet his amused brown eyes. If I were in human form, I know I’d be blushing. My body is feeling flustered, and I don’t like it. I feel trapped, unable to do anything about it.

“How about we go in and get a snack?” Hunter suggests, thankfully changing the subject as he grabs towels from a nearby lounge chair, tossing one at Chase before securing his around his waist.

Bain and Maddox stand, and I follow, walking beside Bain in his wolf form back into our new home.

I drink some of the water left out for me while the others get dressed.

“Gage, how’s it going?” Maddox asks as he cracks open a beer and brings it over to where Gage is seated at the kitchen table, a pile of books covering half the surface, passing it to him.

“Thanks,” he says, taking the offered beer. “I’ve learned some new things, but nothing helpful to us yet. I’m still hopeful that there will be some answers in here.”

“Why don’t you take a break? You’ve been at it since yesterday, and you barely slept.” I move over and lay my head in Gage’s lap, hoping to encourage him to relax. He always thinks better with a fresh mind. He strokes my head and smiles down at me.

“How can I say no to this face?” he asks, as he pushes his chair back to make more room to pet me.

“You can’t,” Hunter says as he pulls open the fridge doors. “Now, what are you in the mood for, Cherry?”

“Hey, we should play a game,” Chase says with excitement as he pulls down a bag of jelly beans and places them on the counter.

“What sort of game?” Maddox asks with a concerned frown.

“All of you stand over there,” Chase says, pointing to the living room, “and I’ll toss things for you to catch. If you catch it, you have to eat it. I will say what it is as soon as I release it in the air.”

I move over to him, excitedly dancing on my feet as I lick my lips.

“You like that idea?” he asks in amusement, and I bark before pointing my nose at the bag of jelly beans.

“Take her into the living room,” Hunter tells him as he starts to look through the pantry. “I’ll throw the food.”

“Come on, pretty girl,” Chase says as he moves around to the other side of the couch and beckons me over. I stare at him then look back at the bag of jelly beans, wanting one now.

“Bain, get over here,” Chase says in a bad attempt at a whisper. “She’ll play if you do.”

I watch with interest as Bain sighs, but steps over to stand beside Chase, his hands shoved into his jeans pockets. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow in question. But I get momentarily distracted when I look at him. He’s wearing a white T-shirt that’s so tight it looks painted on, with an open blue plaid flannel over top. Today, he reminds me of the nickname I gave him when I first met him, my lumbersnack.

“Are you coming?” Chase asks, breaking me out of my stare. I move toward him, and he lifts the coffee table and moves it out of our way. The only thing between Hunter and us now is the couch and the kitchen island.