AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s worked this long,” I answer.
“And what is your plan for the future? Keep running? A wolf won’t stay at bay forever.”
I study this woman with short sandy hair, wearing a white button-up shirt with frills around the collar. She’s pretty and speaks with a kind voice, but frustration fills me with her vagueness.
“Kinley, I’m not sure what you want me to say or do. Or why I’m here in the first place. I don’t even know you.”
Her gray eyes glint in the candlelight. “My mother was a human, and she died when she gave birth to me. My father was killed and turned into an infected on my fifteenth birthday. My whole life has been survival, just like the lives of each one of the Ash Wolves outside. Just like you. And I’ll be honest, Dušan asked me to talk to you.”
Her admittance has a jagged edge to it, like she doesn’t feel comfortable with it, either.
“Thank you for sharing.”
“Go collect yourself a cup from the kitchen.” She points her chin to the other side of the room. There’s a plate with freshly baked flatbread and venison. “Bring that over too. You look starved.”
Kinley speaks gently, and there’s something almost comforting about her. She reminds me of my mother, and there’s a warmth spreading over my chest. I’m on my feet, and across the dark room, and returning with the items in no time.
She pours me tea, and the waft of citrus finds my nose. I collect one of the flatbreads, which is the size of my hand, and tear off pieces before popping them into my mouth. Hunger has me salivating, and I eat three in record time.
Kinley watches me as she sips her tea. “My neighbor makes them for me. She’s ninety years old and still incredible in the kitchen.”
Washing down the food with citrus tea, I set it back on the table. “Tell me about Dušan?”
“His father was a ruthless leader, but after his death, Dušan took over and changed everything in his pack.Everything—including the pack rules and moving us all to this settlement, but especially when it comes to protecting females. He will kill anyone who harms a female.” There’s a knowingness in her expression, as if she’s experienced that first hand.
“Why?”
“The old Alpha was violent, especially to his mate and children.” She glances away for a moment, then clears her throat. I see the sorrow on her face. “But there’s nowhere else I’d rather live now. Not after what happened to me.” She lowers her hand and peels away the layers of blankets over her lap.
My gaze follows the movement, and underneath, she’s wearing gray trousers. They sit loosely over thin legs. They’re so thin and bony, something tightens in my stomach.
I want to look away, but I can’t. The top half of her body seems normal, but it looks like she’s shriveled on the lower half.
“I’m paralyzed from the waist down,” she says. “Happened when I was twenty years old and underwent my first transformation.”
I blink at her words. “You survived?”
“Yes.” Her eyes light up.
I’m completely stunned by her reveal.
“So even now, can you transform into your wolf?”
She smiles widely. “Of course. My legs will never work again in either form, but I’m alive.”
My throat closes. I shift in my seat, unease curling over my spine. Just looking at her breaks my heart.
Is this my fate? I don’t want to spend the rest of my life closed up in a house. I’ve always been on the run and lived in the wilderness. Being alone and unable to walk or run would kill me.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she murmurs. “But my transformation came when a rogue wolf attacked me. It was my fated mate’s wolf energy, a wolf from the Shadowlands Sector, that saved me from dying when my beast broke out of me that day. The rogue wolf severed my nerves and put me here.”
My hands shake by my side. “But I’ve heard of no half-breeds who’ve survived if they transform after puberty.”
“I am living proof that it’s possible, if you just believe.”
My mouth dries as her words soothe my wolf, and for the first time in my life, I feel like maybe there is hope for me after all.
