Claiming His Need by Ellis Leigh

to be modest when you’re transforming your body into another species.”
    “I’m not concerned, per se.” The wind blew a little harder, lifting the curtains and giving me a glimpse of Gates. He stood in front of the open door, his hands against the screen, his eyes dark and hungry as they watched me. “I’m more interested in preserving the sanctity of the ancient mating rituals. I’ve made our mating bond public; I’m not supposed to see you naked before I officially come for you and your father approves the union. If you disrobe, you’ll be breaking the rules.”
    “The rules don’t say I can’t be naked,” I slid my other arm out of the fabric and allowed it to fall just enough to show the tops of my breasts. Gates sucked in a breath as I slowly walked toward the open door. Once I reached it, I pushed aside the curtain and placed my hand against his where it pressed into the screen.
    “The rules say nothing of the mated female hiding her nudity. It would be near impossible given the nature of our shifting.” I leaned forward as Gates matched my movements. Our noses brushed through the screen, breath mingling and hands pressing harder against one another. With a sigh, I pulled away and turned my back on my mate.
    “The rules only say the mated male is to avert his gaze when nudity is required.” I dropped my cloak and stepped over the pool of scarlet fabric. “I assume your gaze is averted?”
    “It’s…something.”
    I smiled. “Good boy. My heat seems to be coming early, and my body aches from that, plus the stress of all the shifting today. Any sort of nightwear would make me more uncomfortable than I already am.”
    As Gates’ growl grew louder, I climbed onto my bed and crawled across the mattress. I moved every part of my body in a deliberate fashion. Swinging my hips, rolling my shoulder to turn in such a way as to show him a hint of my breast. I could practically feel his eyes on me as I teased him. The sensation ramped up my heat, burning me from the inside and making my body ache with a need I was unfamiliar with. I groaned when I finally slid between the sheets.
    “Are you in pain, princess?”  
    “A bit, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
    “I’m an old shifter, my sweet. Should you need relief from the irritation of your heat, I may be able to assist you.”
    I turned and met his eyes through the screen, loving the way his more formal words aroused me. “I will not be bedding you before our courtship, Gates of the Feral Breed.”
    “There are more ways to ease an unfulfilled heat cycle than just…sex.”
    Sex. The word rolled off his tongue seductively, making my skin tingle in anticipation. Licking my lips, I ran my hands down my stomach to rest on my hipbones.
    “What are these ways?” My voice came out husky and warm, even to my own ears.
    “Are you asking for my assistance?” Gates slid his hands up the screen as his eyes bored into mine.
    “No. Just curious, really.” I grinned as he dropped his head against the screen. “Why? What are you offering me?”
    Gates lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine once more in a stare so intense, I could practically feel it like a weight against my chest. “When you’re past the point of curiosity and need relief, I’ll show you.”
    “Tease.”  
    “Right back at you.”
    I giggled, knowing he was right. “Goodnight, my mate. Thank you for respecting the rules and allowing me a hint of modesty as I made myself comfortable in this big bed.”
    Gates chuckled and stepped away from the screen. “It was my pleasure, princess. Sweet dreams.”

EIGHT

Gates
    The familiar rumble of engines roaring through the still, morning air startled me awake. I jumped to my feet with a snarl, instantly alert and ready to protect my new mate, but the sound was too far away to be an immediate danger. Though it was coming closer.
    I stretched out the kinks in my back from sleeping on the hard balcony floor and then peeked inside. Kaija