Chapter Ten
“What if I can’t switch back to human form?” Adalyn asked, terrified that her wolf might not let her change back. Being stuck in wolf form may be fine for some, but she liked her human self—way too much to even consider being stuck as an animal for the rest of her life.
“All you have to do is picture yourself as a human and you’ll change back. It’s that easy. I promise.” Wade tried to reassure Adalyn, but she was still hesitant to give the animal within her control over their body.
“Are you going to give back control when I want it back?” she asked her wolf.
“Yes. I just need to be set free. Please!” her wolf begged. The animal would agree to anything asked of her just for the chance to finally be free of Adalyn’s mind.
Adalyn sucked in a deep breath, contemplating her choice. Remembering the images of the wolf she’d seen in her mind over the years, she couldn’t help but wonder if that’s what her wolf actually looked like. The hazel eyes and mahogany fur. Could that image be real? She didn’t know why the image would flicker in her mind. Now that she knew her wolf was something more than just a voice in her head, the image kind of made sense.
“So, the wolf I’ve seen in my head over the years? That’s real? I mean, that’s what my wolf really looks like?” she hesitantly asked Wade.
“Yeah. That’s your wolf.”
“I never once thought the wolf in me was a real animal. Not until I saw the wolves in the field. I always thought it was just a spirit with me, not the actual wolf.”
“Our majik is special. Not because we are witch or wolf, but both. It fuels every ounce of our body, mind, and soul,” Erin explained.
A sense of pride filled her when Erin spoke. It was the first time in her life someone had said something positive about her dual heritage. She was used to being ridiculed and ostracized because of who she was.
“It’s okay to be nervous about shifting. Just remember, we are here to help,” Wade said, offering encouragement.
One last deep breath. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
She couldn’t back down now. The possibility of being allowed to run free had the animal bouncing around in her mind like a monkey on crack. She looked around at the clearing and at those who had gathered around to watch her shift for the first time. Of course, it couldn’t have been just her and Wade. Oh no. Everyone had to show up. Their presence made her feel like more of a freak than she already had.
“I know it may seem scary, but your wolf knows exactly what to do,” Rafe said, trying to reassure her as much as Wade had. Though she sensed honesty in their words, she couldn’t help the doubt and fear that continued to seep into her mind.
“The change is as easy as breathing.” Now it was Grace’s turn to comfort her.
They were all being nice, too nice. Even Rafe, who had wanted to rip her head from her shoulders only hours ago. Was there something that would happen after she shifted? Some mystical wolf bullshit that she was unaware of? Maybe she should have asked, but she couldn’t bring herself to mouth the words, not wanting to feel like even more of an idiot when it came to pack life.
Adalyn had never been claustrophobic until everyone had lined up in a circle around her. Her witch screamed in her mind to protect herself. Zap everyone around her into piles of pixie dust, but she was sure it was nothing more than self-preservation—especially when she found herself surrounded by what amounted to a group of strangers.
Her heart skipped a beat. Would she ever feel at home anywhere? Would she always feel like the outsider? Even among her own people?
“I’ll shift first if that will make it any easier for you,” Wade offered.
Adalyn met the curious eyes of Rafe, Grace, Erin, Lucas—and, of course, her Aunt Brenna. She drew in another deep breath, knowing she had to surrender control to her wolf. She would be safe. They wouldn’t attack her, like the witches would if they saw her change into an animal. At least, she hoped they wouldn’t.
“Yes,” she answered Wade. Maybe watching his transformation would actually calm her nerves. Then again—maybe not.
Majik filled the air, pulsing around Wade. The tiny hairs on her arms stood on end. One second, she’d been staring at the man she’d almost lost her virginity to, and the very next second, a pale gray wolf stood in his place.
“That didn’t seem horrible.”
“The first time is a bit off-putting,” Grace said meekly. “Once you get used to it, it’s really not a big deal.”
“Unless you’ve been injured. Then it hurts like a bitch,” Brenna added.
“Great! Just perfect. Thanks for letting me know that.” Her already raw nerves couldn’t take much more stress.
Her wolf pushed at her mind again.“Please. I can almost feel the grass on my paws. I want it so bad. The wolves will protect us. They won’t harm us. I can feel their resolve.”
What choice did she have? Everyone was waiting for her—with much more patience than she would have shown.
“You’re stalling,” Rafe commented, stepping closer than Adalyn felt comfortable with.
