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“You were asleep,” he said. “Exhausted. How do you feel now?”
“Energetic. Warmer. I don’t feel death or anything at all, but I sense it from Vira. It’s strange. There are so many smells, but I can’t tell them all apart.”
“Another thing that takes time.” He cocked his head to the side a second before my ears caught up. Somebody was running around the house.
The kitchen door burst open, and Dorian rushed in, panting. “Oh, for the love of…” He bent over, panting. “I thought you were gone, worried you were…” He held up his hand. “I don’t know what I thought.”
“It’s going to be a long night, I see,” Byron said wryly.
I wanted to hide, but Dorian deserved an apology. I stood and faced him, waiting until he had caught his breath. “I’m so sorry,” I blurted. “I don’t know how I could do that to you.”
“What?” Dorian looked confused for a moment. “Wait, you mean when you shifted? That wasn’t anything. You did well. You set boundaries in the way you’re supposed to. You caught up quick.”
“I don’t feel so caught up,” I admitted. “Did I hurt you?”
“Not even a little.”
“Alison challenged her,” Byron explained. “Margo dealt with it, but she’s not sure why or what happened.”
Dorian looked proud, and that took me aback. “You’re doing so well,” he gushed. “What was Alison thinking? You were the dominant one. You were, weren’t you?”
I glanced back at Byron who nodded.
“I knew it.” Dorian look thrilled. “I wonder what will happen when you meet Victor.”
“Victor? I can’t beatVictor. What are you, crazy?”
“Take it slowly,” Byron warned. “Though I will say that strength of will is often more important than physical strength.”
Dorian fidgeted then, unable to look at me. I was about to ask him what was wrong when a car drove past the gates.
“I heard a car!” My hearing had improved. “My parents are here!” I looked at Dorian. “Why is that so fun?”
“Let’s head outside together to greet your parents,” Byron said. “Dorian, stay on one side of Margo. Be ready in case we’re overestimating her.”
Outside, my parents got out of the car and noticed our approach. Mam made to run at me, but Dad caught hold of her arm. That made me panic. Was he scared of me?
“I warned him not to overwhelm you,” Byron said. “You lead the way, Margo. If you feel like you might be losing control, I will step in. Don’t worry.”
I took a couple of steps towards them. They waited. I felt so sorry for them. I wasn’t the girl they chose. I wasn’t giving them the life they wanted. I glanced back at Byron and Dorian, at the life I had chosen. I had to figure out how to keep both.
Turning back to my parents, I took a deep breath and inhaled their scents. The wolf stirred. I imagined her pricking her ears, lifting her head in interest, before finally settling back down to sleep. I smiled. Dad smiled back, and then I ran towards them, my arms out wide. They accepted me, gathered me to them as though nothing had changed, and the wolf didn’t care. Dad held my gaze, and the wolf didn’t see it as a challenge. Relieved, I kept saying sorry, over and over.
“Are you okay?” Mam asked. “Are you hurt?” She grabbed hold of my wrist, wincing at the scar.
“It’s nothing,” I babbled. “I’m okay. Are you okay? I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry.”
“Stop,” Dad said. “How are you feeling?” Then his voice cracked. “You’re so warm, Margo. Even your cheeks have colour. You look alive!”
“Check it out.” I backed up and spun around. I felt alive, better than I had in a long time. “I’m feeling good. Great. It worked, Dad. I made the right choice.”
They pulled me in for more hugs, and I felt so content. I didn’t have to make anyone worry. I could just be. To make myself less weird, I had to become even weirder, but so far, that seemed to be working.
“Come inside when you’re ready,” Byron called out. “We’ll put the kettle on.”
“You two look exhausted,” I told them. “You should go back to bed.”
“How can we?” Mam chided. “I want to have you back with us.”
