Page 164

Then, the air shifts. I can physically see the currents swirling in front of me, like hundreds of threads of air twisting and spooling together. It starts as a breeze and quickly morphs into a full-blown gale.

Before I know it, those spinning currents of air explode. They burst apart before reforming into a wall that swells and expands, then shoots across the yard straight for my Mates.

The trees closest to us ripple and sway. Leaves rip from foliage before flying through the open sky and skittering across the ground. Soren and Caelan’s shirts look plastered to their chests and Soren’s hair tears loose from its band, billowing away from his face.

Soren’s furious snarl reaches me before being whisked away on another gust of wind. He’s upset. Agitated. His incredible Alpha strength is useless against the cyclone keeping him in place. Caelan is no better off, straining to move, teeth bared in frustration.

I glance back at Shade, who’s resting casually on his haunches, head tilted to the side, watching with eyes gleaming with what I could swear is amusement. His eyes flick to my still-outstretched hands, and I follow his gaze, putting two and two together.

Nausea churns in my gut. Sweat breaks out along my forehead and neck, and my hands start to tremble. I swallow repeatedly, trying not to sick up as I realize… This isn’t some random blast of wind. It’s coming from me.

I have no idea how to make this stop, so I do the only logical thing I can think of. I curl my fingers into my palm, squeezing my hands into tight fists and begging whatever part of me that’s causing this to stop.

And… it does.

The wind cuts off so fast I nearly stumble. The world around us settles into silence. The only sound I can hear is my own ragged breathing as I pant for air and my mind spins with shock.

I can feel everyone’s eyes boring into me, but I don’t look up. I don’t want to see their faces. I don’t want to see the fear, the condemnation, or the disgust. I can’t. I can’t do it.

“Idril.” Soren’s voice is closer than I expect it to be, gentle and kind. “Omega, look at me.”

A whine gets stuck in my throat. I shake my head, staring at the grass beneath my shoes. The air feels charged. The scent of ozone is so sharp it almost burns the inside of my nose.

Gods, what did I just do?

A heavy weight presses insistently into my lower back. I glance to the side to find Shade shifting next to me.

He’s even larger up close. His shoulders must be at least half a foot higher than my hips. I’ve never seen a panther in real life before, but surely they aren’t supposed to be this big?

He leans down and bumps his nose into my hip, rubbing the side of his face against my thigh just like he used to do when he was smaller. A purr rumbles to life in his chest, and it soothes me, grounding me in the present, reminding me of a time when things were simpler, if no less dangerous.

I’m so tired. My limbs feel heavy. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost believe twenty-pound weights are hanging from my wrists.

Why am I so tired? What’s happening to me?

Shade huffs, warm breath heating my skin through the denim, and shoves his nose against my fingers, which are still curled tightly into my palm. I blink bleary eyes, trying to focus on the top of his head. Even that feels like it takes more effort than it should.

When his prodding doesn’t elicit a response, he growls gently and butts at my hand with more insistence. Muscle memory kicks in, and I uncurl my fingers, opening my palm.

Shade’s purring kicks up a notch, and he runs his huge, rasping tongue across my palm. The sensation is so unexpected, laughter bubbles out of my chest, jolting me out of my numb shock.

I run my fingers through his soft, silky fur, and his purring grows so loud it sounds like the rumble of an engine. When he cranes his neck back and those familiar golden eyes meet mine, pure joy surges through me. My laugh turns into a sob of relief. I fall to my knees, wrapping my arms around his hulking form and burying my face in his pelt.

Shade lifts one mammoth paw and flings it over my shoulder, returning my embrace.

“Well, I’ll be fucked,” Vae whispers in awe. “Guys, I think it really is her pet.”

“That is not a pet, that’s a fucking predator,” Dax argues, but he can’t hide the astonishment in his tone, either, and I find myself smiling into Shade’s fur.

Taking a deep breath, I pull back and finally look up, bracing myself for the Alphas’ judgment. Right away, my eyes lock with Caelan, who looks less than two seconds away from snapping. His pupils are dilated, hands fisted around the handles of both daggers.

When my eyes meet his, he retracts his fangs. His eyes soften, and he takes a hesitant step in our direction. Shade’s head snaps up and his bright golden eyes narrow on my Mate.

Caelan stops, raising his hands in surrender. “Sweet girl… can you please call off your demon?”

“That’s the panther I scented at your father’s estate,” Soren exclaims. “I recognize the scent—it’s what led me here.”

I run my fingers in the silky fur between Shade’s ears before bracing myself to stand on still-shaky legs. He must sense that I need help because he shifts, pressing against me and keeping me steady as I push to my feet.