Chapter 39

The black beast is over me now, turning me gently with massive clawed paws, so I face those glowing amber eyes to fall into his safety and care. He calms from snarling teeth to human form instantly. In a blink, from ferocious to handsome and familiar. Suddenly smaller, naked before me, in the night sky and a look of utter despair washing over that furrowed brow and tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry.” It’s all I can splutter as I cough up blood and shudder with the effort, too consumed with fatigue to do anything else. Colton stifles a sob, scrunching his face up, and cradles me close. Picking me up as carefully as he can and pulling me against him gently, his pain at me being like this filtering back to me and weighing upon me tenfold. Sharing our agony, I can feel his heart shredding for me. The devastation is tearing through him at what he sees. I know he must feel my physical pain, too, but his emotions are overpowering that for both of us. “You have to turn, please. It’s the only way yo