With ease, I pull the wolf forward. Cool shadow touches my skin, caressing at first, then digging and tugging. There’s a sudden wrenching, my bones shifting and reforming with a dramatic popping noise.
Better, my wolf sighs, shaking its thick coat.
Then, because we are surrounded by pack and my heart is full of joy, my wolf and I both give in to the urge to lift our head to the sky and let out a howl. Many join in, all of us praising the moon and our freedom and the long night ahead of us that will be full of running and communion.
A large form comes barreling at me, but the scent alerts me to who it is, so I do not tense.
That was a mistake. Warner launches at me, the two of us tangling together as we roll in the grass. I make sure to come out on top, teeth lightly gripping his throat.
He lets out a puff of breath—a wolf laugh.
Leaping to the side, I evade any further play attacks. Warner is on his feet again, front pressed to the ground, butt in the airwith his tail wagging. I’m so focused on him that I don’t realize my back is vulnerable until it’s too late.
Tanya nips at my heels, taunting me. Then my baby sister dives into the woods, and a clear message comes through the bonded tie I have with all pack members.
“Bet you can’t catch me.”
A hunt. One for sport. A distraction that I need.
As the moon creeps across the sky, I play an odd version of tag with my siblings, our brother Isaac soon joining with a sneak attack from behind a tree.
By the end of the night, I’m still thrumming with power, but my muscles are well worn, and my spirits are high.
It’s only when my human mind regains control that I realize their play had a goal. A purpose. I’m not the only one aware of the missing presence this night.
But even if our mother isn’t in Pine Falls, our family is still strong. Our love is unshakable.
As I lope toward the meeting point, a wolf falls in beside me, running on my flank. Her tongue lolls out with a toothy grin.
Courtney, my human mind supplies.
Beta, adds my wolf.
If I’d come to the understanding at any other time, I would have been shocked to realize that with my mother gone, the magic had chosen a new wolf for the position. But under the light of the full moon, the knowledge simply feels right.
I huff at her, and she returns a smug yip, as if to say,Took you long enough.
43
JULIET
The moon is full,which means I’m alone.
I think Roderick would have stayed if he could have. But a wolf needs to run free on this night each month. They are called to, pulled by a mystical force.
The thought of Roderick in his animal form brings me mixed feelings.
Because I knew who was changing and that the transformation was going to happen, seeing Roderick’s wolf didn’t set off one of my panic attacks.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve cured myself of fear.
And I hate that my past continues to haunt me. Cory was thorough in his control. He wanted to teach me to be terrified, no matter what form he was in.
His intimidation tactics were creative.
I used to love to go jogging. The workout was free and easy and got me out into nature.
One day, while out for a run, I felt a presence near me the entire time. I wasn’t sure where the sense was coming from sinceI didn’t see anyone, but it remained with me for the whole five-mile loop. The feeling returned the next time I went out, only I was sure I’d caught sight of an animal in the woods at my side. Then, finally, on the third time, Cory showed himself. He was in wolf form, and he appeared out of the woods just behind me, loping in my wake.
