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“I think the fact that he devoured you is a good indication he’s not interested in me,” I informed her and she glanced away in embarrassment. “Which brings me back to the fact that you admitted you liked it,” I sang and she sent a pillow flying at my head. I ducked and it sailed over the couch and landed on the floor.
“I did like it,” she acknowledged, straightening her shoulders as she said it. “He’s infuriating, and a know-it-all, and….” She waved her hand like she couldn’t finish, so I added helpfully, “Built. He’s built.”
Her mouth opened and closed before she said, “Yeah, that too.” I relaxed back into the cushions as she sat there, lost in thought. I didn’t think she was going to say anything more after a few minutes passed, but she surprised me. “He doesn’t look at me like I’m a freak,” she whispered, the words barely audible and I leaned forward. She dropped her gaze to her hands as they worked knots into the edge of a blanket. “He looks at me like I’m important and not some mutant girl shifter,” she said the last part with a scornful sneer and my forehead furrowed.
“What do you mean?” I asked carefully, her words unexpected to say the least. She shook her head, her mouth snapping shut as if she’d said something she hadn’t intended. “No, I want to know what you meant,” I repeated firmly. “Explain, please.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” she said softly, her smile apologetic as she once again presented me with the fact that I hadn’t been raised Pack.
“Then I’ll learn something, but I want to know why you feel like you’re different. Like, that’s a bad thing,” I told her slowly.
“Because it is,” she burst out. “There’s never been one like me. Girl shifters are rare, I didn’t even know they existed before I shifted. I didn’t even know there were others until Trent told me,” she trailed off and I knew I needed to admit I’d heard at least part of their conversation.
“There is another female shifter. One who controls her own Pack,” I said for her. She stared at me in shock.
“You knew?”
“Trent told me,” I said, nodding. “He made no secret of his fascination with you. He explained to me how rare it is to see a female shifter.”
Anna laughed bitterly. “Yeah, grow up being the weird freak. The one no one thinks will be able to have shifter pups because she’s a shifter. Always feeling isolated even when you’re part of the Pack. Hearing them cut off conversations and jokes because you’re the girl and wouldn’t understand. It’s enough to make you feel,” she stopped, unable to finish.
“Unwanted,” I said and she looked at me, her eyes glistening with tears she refused to shed.
“He doesn’t look at me like that,” she whispered, her voice aching. “I didn’t know how it felt to be looked at like that….until him.”
It was my turn to pull her into a hug and as she wrapped her arms around me, I could feel the strength underneath the lithe build. She was a contradiction, a dancer’s body but with the strength and power of a wolf, and I could understand Trent’s awe when he looked at her. Anna was meant to be more than just an outcast member of a Pack. She understood the Pack dynamics and laws better than anyone, Caleb included, and I knew she would never reach her full potential if she didn’t let go of Caleb.
“You should always be looked at like that,” I whispered, unsure if she even heard me. “Like you’re the most amazing creature on the planet.”
She sniffed and pulled back, biting her lip as she rubbed her nose. “I should go. I’ve got to help Mom at the Pack house. There’s a meeting tonight.” I nodded, knowing she needed space. I swallowed tightly, praying we would find a solution before everything erupted in our faces.
I walked Anna to the door, pulling it open to find a fist hovering in my face. Before I could even react, Anna had pulled me behind her.
“Oh! Hi,” Leah cried, lowering her hand. I realized she’d been about to knock when I’d yanked open the door, hence the fist. “I wasn’t sure if you were home,” she trailed off as Anna stared at her grimly. I poked Anna in the back and she forced a rickety smile. From the way Leah stepped back, it wasn’t an improvement.
“Leah, yeah, I’m home. I’m glad you stopped by,” I responded, trying to smooth over Anna’s stiffness, but I couldn’t erase the hint of a question in my tone. I hadn’t seen her since the day the boys were abducted, and she’d saved Liam’s life. I was happy she’d had the guts to come back, but I was also surprised.
