Rose, Charlotte - Bayou Rescue [The Shifters of Alligator Bend 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (20 page)

“We need—we need to come together,” she said, so lost in her body that she could barely form the sentence. “I’ll hold—I’ll hold back—” Adele lost her train of thought as the pleasure overwhelmed her body and shut off her ability to speak. She could barely keep track of her breath, because she was so caught up in the feeling of her men, of her body compressed between theirs, of being part of them.

“Fuck yes,” Xavier groaned. Adele could feel his cock straining to release. Beneath her, Oscar’s was just as rigid. Knowing they were with her, she let her body go, allowed the energy to overtake her completely. She screamed into the night as every fiber of her being went alight with orgasm. She heard her men groan simultaneously, felt them both empty into her.

Completely devoid of energy, Adele collapsed onto Oscar’s chest and felt Xavier fall on top of her. She was in complete bliss pressed between their bodies, and stayed there until she finally regained her senses.

As Adele finished catching her breath, she wriggled out from between them. They swam back to the boat and climbed aboard and made their way to Xavier’s personal quarters. He had spent the weeks leading up to the wedding transforming his bachelor dwelling into a home. Adele gasped when she saw the large bed, big enough to hold the three of them.

“This thing looks so heavy, I’m surprised it doesn’t sink the ship,” she said with a giggle.

“Oh, it won’t sink the ship,” Xavier said with a wink. “But I’m concerned that with all the moving that’s gonna be happening in here, we’re gonna capsize.”

“Are you saying we have to tone it down?” Adele asked with mock exasperation.

“Hardly,” Oscar said, taking her by the hand and pulling her to the bed. “Capsizin’ ain’t the end of the world. You’re a gator now, anyway. You’re a good swimmer.”

Passing by the mirror, Adele stole a glance at her new eyes and grinned. She’d been afraid she wouldn’t like the change in her eyes. She loved the way the colors looked on Oscar and Xavier, but had worried about whether or not the sudden difference would make her entire face feel unfamiliar. Falling in love did not mean she wanted to lose herself. Yet when she saw her reflection, she couldn’t help but feel thrilled at the way she looked. The gold flecks in her green eyes didn’t seem strange or out of place. In fact, they looked completely natural. Even though she knew they were different, nothing looked unfamiliar. She knew she’d always been beautiful, but now it was as though her body was complete. It was as though her eyes were always meant to be this way.

But of course they were. This was fate, after all.

Adele flopped against the mattress and smiled as her men began caressing her. She never thought she’d be so happy to have changed. She never thought she’d be so happy in a life so different from the one she’d planned. But as she let the feeling of skin on skin overwhelm her, she realized she could no longer picture a life that was more perfect than one spent on the bayou with the men she loved.

I think I’m going to like being a gator after all
. As both men started to nibble her flesh, she let go and let her mind become overrun with pleasure.

Epilogue

One month later

Adele hated the days when she woke up alone, but also knew that the best time for Oscar and Xavier to get a good catch was early in the day. She didn’t begrudge them for fulfilling the responsibilities.

As she got out of bed and proceeded with her morning routine, she realized something felt off. She didn’t feel sick, and her body wasn’t feverish, but something was definitely not right. When she couldn’t put her finger on it, she simply shrugged and went about her day. Maybe it was the ever-increasing humidity.

She went to the kitchen quarters to prepare herself some breakfast. Everyone on early fishing detail had eaten together, and there was usually leftover food warming on the stove for the latecomers to pick up when they finally got out of bed. Deciding some food would probably help her feel better, Adele loaded a plate with biscuits and gravy before sitting down at the table to review her most recent round of research notes.

Someone had left the radio on. At first, Adele barely noticed it. The background noise actually helped her focus on making sense of the newest batch of data. But when she heard the announcer say Villemont’s name, she lifted her head and focused on the story being reported.

“Local entrepreneur Ferdinand Villemont, convicted for attempted illegal purchase of wildlife, has been sentenced to pay fines for his crimes. His accomplices, employee Georgina Fucher and former Aquarium of the Americas employee Ron Pease, also face fines as well.”

Adele shuddered. She knew the penalties surrounding illegal animal sales were light, but in her heart, she hoped that somehow, Villemont would get what he truly deserved. It saddened her to realize that was never going to happen.

“The albino alligators that he attempted to buy have been missing since the date of the incident. While authorities are pessimistic about their chances for survival, the Aquarium asks that if citizens find any evidence of the escaped animals, they contact animal control.”

Serafine came in, shut off the radio, and sat down, an odd smile on her face. “Don’t let that news bring ya down. Ain’t nothin’ you can do about it, anyway.”

Adele sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”

“How are things workin’ out for you? You adjustin’ to life out here okay?”

Although she was curious about Serafine’s unusual smile, Adele was cheered by Serafine’s consideration. “Great, thanks. I never thought I’d be so happy living out on the water, but now I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I thought the commutes into the city for work might drive me crazy, but I’m really enjoying the time all alone out on the water.”

“Glad to hear it. The three of you talked about children yet?”

Adele resisted rolling her eyes. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m infertile, remember?”

Serafine laughed so hard that Adele couldn’t help but frown. “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s so funny?”

“You’ll see. You want some tea? I was gonna put on a pot.”

“That would be great, thanks.” Adele’s mind was still curious, but she didn’t push. She knew perfectly well that there was no way to get an answer out of Serafine if the woman didn’t want to give one.

Suddenly, the odd feeling intensified. It wasn’t illness, but rather a strange trembling throughout her body. She wasn’t cold and wasn’t nervous, but she couldn’t stop shaking. Then her muscles and bones began to stiffen, and she realized the change was happening.

Her mind quickly returned to the shifting lessons that Serafine had been giving her over the course of the past several weeks. She took deep breaths and focused on what she looked like in human form in an attempt to stop the transformation. But despite regular success when working with Serafine, this time, the change wouldn’t work. Her skin turned tough and green, and she felt her teeth grow and sharpen, and she felt her tail grow. The more she tried to fight it, the faster the transformation worked. There was nothing she was able to do to return her human form.

Serafine stood over her and chuckled. “Come on over to my quarters. Hurry now. We don’t have much time.”

Adele wasn’t sure what was so time-sensitive, but Serafine’s lighthearted attitude did little to ease the panic that was taking hold of her mind. Still, she knew that the sooner she followed Serafine, the sooner everything would be back to normal. Adele crawled out onto the dock and slipped into the water, heading straight for Serafine’s tiny houseboat. It took some effort to get up there, because her muscles were feeling oddly tense after such a short swim, but she made it onto the deck and waited for an explanation.

“Come on inside,” Serafine said.

Adele had barely gotten in the door when she was seized with a strange force. It was as though her body was possessed. Her muscles throbbed, and she didn’t know why. All four of her legs began to tremble, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could remain standing. The wooden planks of the floor suddenly looked extremely comfortable.

Serafine raised her eyebrows. “Your body works fast. Come on.”

She pointed Adele to a pile of straw and reeds tucked in the corner of the room. Adele wasn’t sure she could make it on her unsteady body. The boat was small, but it still seemed to be an impossible distance. Still, she began to crawl as fast as her aching muscles would allow. Halfway across the floor, she paused and looked up at Serafine. She needed a breather, and she wanted some answers.

“Don’t tell me I forgot to explain this to you.”

Adele shook her head, wishing she had a better way to express herself in gator form. Serafine had explained it.

But it’s impossible
.

“You really haven’t figured it out? That’s a nest. You’re layin’ eggs, girl. Go on now, make yourself comfortable on the nest.”

Adele tried to hurry over, but the tremors and tension coursing through her body slowed her pace. Her crawls got slower and slower with each step, and it felt like an hour passed before she finally arrived at the nest. All the while, she kept thinking that Serafine had to be wrong, that it was completely impossible for her to be able to have children, whether they were humans or gators. But then her muscles began to strain even more, and she couldn’t deny it any longer.

Every single nerve was pushed to its limits. Soon, Adele had no mental space left to panic, or to insist that this was impossible. Her body took over everything, letting nature take its course. After an hour of exhausting work, Adele suddenly regained her human form. She tried to stand up, but her knees buckled. Her body was completely exhausted. Serafine brought her a glass of water, a towel, and a change of clothes.

“Just relax. It ain’t easy, especially the first time.”

“How long did you know about this?” Adele asked, gasping for breath. “I mean, how did you know before I did? This is just—I can barely believe it.”

“I got the message last night. I felt it in my heart. You forget, I have a spiritual connection to each an’ every member of this congregation. The second I had the vision, I got to work. Was up half the night buildin’ that nest.”

“Why didn’t you come right out and say something? I was terrified. I’m still kind of freaked out.”

“Would you have believed me?”

Adele sighed. “No, I guess not. I’m not sure I still believe it even now. I’m not supposed to be able to have children, remember? This doesn’t make any sense.”

“I told you back when we met. Bein’ turned changes the body. You ain’t the same person you were a month ago.”

Before Adele had a chance to respond, Xavier and Oscar burst through the door.

“Don’t you boys know to knock?” Serafine asked.

“Didn’t someone think to radio us when our mate started layin’ eggs?” Oscar retorted.

“It’s okay,” Adele said with a smile. “Serafine helped me.” She lifted the blanket covering the nest to reveal the cache of three oblong, brown-speckled eggs. “I can’t believe that in two months we’re going to be parents. This is kind of scary. I’m not sure I know how to be a good mother. It’s not like I ever even gave it much thought. I mean, for most of my adult life, it hasn’t even been a possibility.”

“But you’re happy
’
bout it, right?” Xavier asked, worry suddenly clouding his face.

“Of course I am,” Adele said. “I’ve gone my whole life thinking I could never have kids of my own. To actually have that chance is amazing. I’m just worried that I’ll screw up somehow.”

Oscar squeezed her shoulder. “Baby, I know you’re gonna be amazin’. I can’t wait till they hatch.”

“Is it safe to move ’em to our quarters?” Xavier asked.

Serafine shook her head. “They shouldn’t be moved. Don’t need nothin’ but to keep ’em warm, anyway, so it ain’t like they’ll be in my way.”

“But what if we miss them hatching?” Adele asked. “I’d never forgive myself.”