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Dom heard me and gestured to Luke. “He can’t run, neither can Jess.”
“Then you drive, but we’ll run,” I replied, not really caring.
Dom looked at Caleb and I suspected they were having a conversation I wasn’t privy to. “Annoying, isn’t it?” The woman, Jess, said as she came up next to me.
“It is,” I replied, glaring at them. “Do they do it a lot?”
“Define a lot.”
“Liam will take the Jeep with Jess and Luke,” Dom reported, then motioned to me and Caleb. “We’ll run ahead, and scout the situation.”
“Sounds good,” Caleb answered, giving me a look. I know it’s hard, but he is my Alpha, yours too if you join the Pack.
His words silenced me as I considered the real possibility of finally having a Pack to run with, something that had seemed impossible for so long. The Jeep drove away and the guys started to strip down so I started the shift, not bothering to undress since I didn’t know how jealous Caleb might be. Bones cracked, the pain a familiar one, but this time magic raced through me, soothing the pain almost as soon as it presented itself. It was like watching a shift happen in slow motion, except it was me and for the first time, it wasn’t an agonizing ordeal.
Dru? Caleb questioned, no doubt sensing my shock.
It didn’t hurt, I told him, almost breathless with joy. It didn’t hurt.
I noticed, he replied, his smile filling my head. I guess your magic is good for more than levitating. I felt his puzzlement though as he looked at me. I thought you were a white wolf.
I can change my fur to match any color in my hair, I answered, dropping my head in a playful bow. Can’t you?
No, he called as I bounded away, taking the lead from Dom, who snapped at my heels, his wolf as massive as the man. The Alpha usually leads, Caleb informed me, racing to catch up.
Then he should be faster, I replied carelessly, the feel of earth under my paws giving me speed as instinct guided me home. Both wolves chased after me, but never managed to get closer than the tip of my tail as we ran for the border. Stay behind me, I warned as we came closer. I’ll lead you through the traps.
My words were unnecessary though as we came to border and saw Gran standing there, Paige at her side. Gregory stood there as well, but that wasn’t what drew my attention. I shifted to human form, walking slowly to the border, a deep breath filling my lungs as I heard the sweet sound of birds chirping.
“What happened?” I questioned, the words verbal and mental.
Gran smiled, the sight so shocking I blinked. “You accepted the magic inside of you,” she answered as Caleb and Dom came up behind me. “Your mother’s magic.”
“No,” I shook my head, looking to Paige. “It’s yours. The magic goes to you. Not me, I’m a mutant.”
Gran’s mouth pinched regretfully. “You’re not a mutant, Drusilla. Or a freak. You are unique. An amazing gift.”
“But I’m a wolf shifter. You hate shifters.”
“I admit wolf shifters have taken much from me, but I could never hate you, Dru,” Gran replied carefully. “You are my blood. My family and whether you realize it or not, I love every part of you.”
“But all this time, you punished me because of the wolf,” I protested as Caleb took my hand, offering a comfort I didn’t know I needed. “You would starve me, cage me, for what if not because you hated me?”
“I wanted you to survive, Drusilla.” Gran swallowed, her voice thick. “I knew they would come for you eventually, and all I could do was make sure you were strong enough to survive whatever they would do to you.” She frowned in remorse. “My methods might not have been the best.”
“You think?” Caleb commented, drawing her attention. “And what you did to me? You almost killed Dru.”
Gran nodded. “I realized that after the fact. That you had established a mate bond with my granddaughter without my permission. I wondered how you were able to sustain the shifts for so long.”
“Why though? Why hurt the shifters who came here?” I asked, waving my hand. “What difference did it make?”
“I was trying to find a way to heal you. I knew what the shift cost you. I thought if I could separate the wolf from the witch then you would be safe. I was wrong,” Gran pronounced carefully. “But in my defense, most of the shifters who came here deserved exactly what they got. They came seeking power, your power, and would have destroyed you to get it.”
I couldn’t argue with her, since I knew she was right. There had been more than a few Hanleys and some lone wolves who thought they could take our land and me. Paige darted forward, crossing the border without hesitation and I cried out, Stop, you’ll die.
