4.3-Wild

Reaching the arena, I am drawn to watch Magnus shift back to human. His lion form is beautiful. Slender golden brown with its flat mane to match, not darkened by age yet. After his stunning display, I’m craving his human body now.

Magnus shifts back to human form while I watch. His muscular body flexes while he puts on just his shorts. He throws the shirt over his shoulder. He’s sweaty all over, and I can smell him. Not bad at all, almost like chocolate.

Magnus heads to the water coolers, talking to a teammate. Then he goes to the shower room, near the hall from our first meeting. I whimper as he leaves my view, hoping no one heard that.

A new burn under my skin forms as my body shifts back. Cracking and popping, I stretch once more as the transformation finishes. On all fours, I lean back on my knees and rise, grabbing my clothes and quickly dressing. Still, in lion form, Theo is working with half the shifted candidates now.

‘Theo, you’re in charge and good practice. I’m done for the day and need a shower,’ my link to him is still open.

‘Whatever you say, my stinky princess,’ Theo retorts, making me smile.

‘And you wonder why I always tackle you,’ I told him.

Theo lets out a hearty laugh through the link. I cut him off while walking towards the women’s locker room. The other lionesses are almost done showering when I enter.

“Hello, ladies,” I greet while removing my clothes again, joining the steam. I could go to my room, but I want to be here. I miss just being a warrior.

“How did everyone enjoy the run?” I ask, and they all happily purr a “once. That told me they love being shifted just as much as I did.

There are few lionesses in the program this round, as I know a lot are pregnant, including my handmaiden, who has been excused from training per my order. She’s looking forward to training her replacement for me, but we haven’t had a chance to discuss who.

My fellow lionesses finish and leave, saying goodbye. Doing so allows me silence with my thoughts. They are interrupted when I hear voices billowing from the men’s locker room. The male candidates are still talking amongst themselves about training.

“Did you see how she took out Theo so effortlessly?” I hear Magnus’ voice boom through the walls; my ears twitch as I strain to listen.

“I know, she’s so fast, cunning, and with that power,” another candidate states.

“Queen Kimarhi could best us all without help,” Magnus adds.

“She “did best you, already,” they laugh, as did I, remembering the other day.

“I could take her!” Another chides, and the others snort and chastise him.

“You could take her lunch, maybe,” Magnus stresses, and another roar of laughter follows.

People talk about me, but I never overhear it like this. When I enter a room, there’s a hush; I know I’m the topic, but this is different.

They don’t know I’m here or that I can hear them. Most would talk about wanting to sleep with me, don’t not this bunch, they enjoyed the spar. Magnus’s laughter is still ringing in my ears. I close my eyes and contemplate my move.

It’s been a while since I had a good romp; I may not get another chance with the summit coming. I hope I’m making the right call. Finally deciding to take the plunge, I link Magnus only.

‘Say nothing and meet me by the docks at pier four.’

‘Yes, my Queen,’ Magnus replies quickly and cuts the link.

“Bye guys, got to go,” I hear him say to the room while I finish dressing.

I leave when he has a good head start. Walking to the dock takes a little time. It’s beautiful here with the white sand and blue ocean as far as the eye can see.

Pier four is under construction as the last attack took it out with a fire, destroying a ship too. The dock is an easy fix. The boat will take more time. However, the crew is now preparing for the summit.

Construction will continue after, as we have several other piers and ships to work with. Walking along the beach, the water tempts me, but that’s not what I want.

“My Queen,” Magnus says from behind me.

I turn to face him now, my back to the water. He looks around as if wondering why we are here. How long has he been here?

“Candidate Magnus, thank you for coming. Follow me,” I say, and he nods.

My mind races as we slowly walk together over to the pier cabin. Primarily for storage, it has boxes of clothes for the warriors, fishing nets, and small boats here and there. I open the door, stepping in, and he follows, closing it behind us. Facing each other, I lean back against the door.

“No formalities here, Magnus. Also, nothing done here leaves this room.” I say as his eyes peeked in understanding.

“Then remove your clothes,” I sweetly command him, staring into his lust-filled yellow eyes.

“Yes, my Queen,” Magnus says seductively, lifting his shirt.

“No formalities,” I huff, looking away from his hard body.

“Yes, Kimarh, I’m sorry,” Magnus corrects, removing his shorts more quickly.

I bend my finger, motioning for him to come to me. He closes the gap between us just enough. I take a hand, gliding it down his shoulder to his chest, stopping at his ab’s. He shivers at my touch. Looking over his body, I lock eyes with him while his hands go to the hem of my shirt.

“May I undress you?” He asks with a longing look.

“Yes, you may, “I purr back.

I relax and lift my arms so that Magnus can remove my shirt, dropping it to the ground. He moves even closer to me, our bodies barely touching. It's electrifying. He takes in my nakedness, making me blush.