Jessica’s mind wandered in the haze of half-sleep, her body warm under the threadbare blanket she'd dragged over herself. Her fingers moved instinctively, tracing slow circles beneath her scrubs as the sterile hum of the hospital faded into the background. The fantasy taking root in her mind was unlike any she'd entertained before.
She envisioned herself different—not merely a woman, but a creature of strength and grace. Her body was covered in sleek fur, midnight black with a shimmer of deep brown under the light. Her hands, though still dexterous, were tipped with sharp claws, and a long tail curled behind her, swaying with an instinctive rhythm. Her senses were heightened, the imagined scent of forest earth and the musk of her mate vivid in her thoughts.
Her mate wasn’t human, either. He loomed in her fantasy, a massive figure with sharp, predatory eyes that glowed like embers. His body was a powerful blend of man and beast—broad shoulders covered in thick fur, a chest rippling with muscle. His claws were gentle yet commanding as they traced her jaw, tilting her face to meet his gaze.
Jessica’s breaths quickened as the image solidified. She was on all fours, her transformed body arching as he circled her, his presence overwhelming, primal. The heat pooling between her thighs intensified as she imagined him pinning her down, his weight pressing against her back as his growls vibrated against her ear. The thought of his claws digging into her hips, holding her in place as he claimed her, sent a shiver racing down her spine.
Her fingers moved faster, pressing harder, seeking relief as her imagined self howled in pleasure, her mate's bite at her nape marking her as his. The sensation of his teeth grazing her skin, of his body grinding against hers, ignited something untamed deep inside her.
Jessica's eyes snapped open, her chest heaving, sweat clinging to her skin despite the cold air of the break room. Her hand froze, realization dawning like a cold slap. Her heart raced, not just from arousal but from the disorienting vividness of what she’d just experienced.
She sat up abruptly, her hands trembling.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” she whispered, her voice hoarse. She glanced at the patch on her shoulder, her mind reeling. Her pulse pounded in her ears, and she thought she heard a sound—low, guttural, almost like a growl—emanating from her own throat.
Panic gripped her as she stumbled to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. She splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection, but her eyes—their irises were darker, sharper. The hint of something not entirely human stared back at her.