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I peered around Lincoln. “Is that so bad?”
Lincoln winced as his knee gave out. I gripped him tighter, and between Mark and me, we eased him onto the ground so he wouldn’t fall.
Lincoln pushed to his hands and knees. I put a hand on his back, but Mark yanked me away.
I glared at my brother.
Mark pointed at Lincoln as a crack rippled through the air. “You don’t know if he’ll be able to control himself. Stay back.”
I pressed my lips into a thin line and chewed on my thumb as I watched. Lincoln trembled. Sweat beaded over his body.
His back was misaligned, the shift having already started, but for the moment, it looked like he was stuck.
I held my breath, my cheeks puffed out as my heart hammered.
Another bone snapped. Lincoln pitched forward while his arm started to change. A guttural sob ripped from his throat as his left arm and leg broke.
Tears pricked my eyes. He panted, and a pained moan escaped his lips.
Mark held me tight. I gripped his arm, glad that he was here. Every grunt and cry of pain was like a knife to my heart.
The rest of his bones crackled and began to realign until he had fully shifted, then Lincoln fell over on his side. His legs kicked out, and he rolled, getting to his feet. Then he darted off.
“Lincoln!” I shouted after him.
But he didn’t stop running.
Ten
Sloane
I blinked a few times, watching as Lincoln disappeared into the trees. He wasn’t stopping or turning around. He just kept running.
Heat spread over my chest as it tightened. I screamed Lincoln’s name again, but he didn’t respond. Oh no. What was he doing? Where was he going? He didn’t know these lands. There were drop offs ahead that could sneak up on you. What if he fell over one? I had to get to him.
I ripped my tank top off and then kicked my pants off at the same time I sent my shoes flying across the lawn. I jumped forward, transitioning midair into my wolf.
The second my feet hit the ground, I took off as fast as I could. My paws pounded against the earth in time to the frantic staccato of my pulse.
I inhaled, catching Lincoln’s scent, and charged after him. I reached out to him through our link, calling his name repeatedly.
The longer he went with no answer, the more concerned I became. He’d been unwell for so long. What if he’d gone mad? I’d heard stories of it happening. Usually, it happened in youngsters who had their first shift. They took off and didn’t stop until they were too exhausted to continue.
Oh god, but Lincoln had been at death’s door not that long ago. What if this pushed him over the edge?
No! I wasn’t going to let that happen.
I pushed myself faster, sprinting harder until my lungs and legs burned.
The trail led me right to the lake, where the water rippled from the small current. Down by the shore sat Lincoln’s wolf, staring out at the crystal-blue water. I slowed to a trot and came up to him slowly.
Lincoln?
The wolf turned to me and blinked, and then his eyes narrowed as his ears twitched. His gaze darted around before turning back to me.
Sloane, I didn’t realize I’d run so far. I’m sorry.
I closed the distance and nuzzled his neck. It’s okay. I was just so worried when you took off. How are you feeling?
