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“Here we are. Home sweet home,” Sheila said.
We were standing in front of a green canvas tent that looked like it had seen better days. It was the duplicate of the other tents nestled between the trees around the common area.
“Cozy,” I said.
“Wait till you see inside.” She pulled apart the flap and ducked inside.
I followed her, not really sure what I was getting myself into. Again. That seemed to be the theme of my life lately.
Her tent was more spacious than I expected. Not large by any account, but it easily fit the cot, pair of folding camp chairs, and stacked crates that looked to be her version of a dresser.
She set her backpack at the foot of her cot, then tugged the sleeping bag out. “It’s not much, but you’re welcome to the sleeping bag and the space on the floor. I’ll ask around to see if anyone has a spare cot.”
“It’s perfect, thanks.” I accepted the bag and set it on the floor in front of her folding chairs.
“Now, let’s see about getting you some clothes and shoes. She started digging through the crates. She was a few inches shorter than me and much thinner. I didn’t think we were close to the same size.
“I appreciate it, but I might be better off keeping Alec’s shirt.” I tugged on the bottom of the fabric, making sure it was still covering me.
“My ex left some stuff behind,” she said. “She was about your size. I should have tossed it months ago, but I guess it’s good I kept it.”
She emerged from her crates with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that looked like they might actually fit. “That is very lucky for me. Are you sure you’re okay with me wearing it?”
“Yeah, it’s a good use for it,” she said. “She couldn’t hack the feral life. Went back home to her old pack. It happens. I knew better than to get attached to someone with ties to the outside world.”
I tugged the jeans on. They were a little tighter than I liked, but they covered me better than the shirt. Then I pulled off Alec’s shirt and replaced it with the faded black tee. I wasn’t used to going sans bra and panties, but it was nice to have any kind of clothing again.
“We’ll have to ask around for some shoes,” Sheila said. “I don’t think my size five will fit you.”
“Nope, not even close,” I said.
“Thanks, again,” I said. “I will find a way to repay you for all this. I’m just not sure how yet.”
“Stay and help us for a while,” she said. “I’m sure we can find something for you to do.”
“Help with what exactly? I don’t think you want me out scouting for witches.”
“No, you’re not ready for that, but there’s other things. Besides, you could learn a bit. Figure out how to connect with your wolf,” she suggested.
I sat down in one of the folding chairs. “What if I can’t do it?”
She took the chair next to me. “Every shifter finds a way eventually, even if it takes some of us longer.”
I shook my head. “My mom has never shifted. I wasn’t supposed to be able to either.”
“The curse,” Sheila whispered. “Tell me about it.”
“I don’t know much. I know my grandfather pissed off a witch andboomfamily curse. No shifting for any of us.” I sighed.
“But you did it,” Sheila pointed out. “You shifted. You broke it.”
“My wolf fought to keep me alive but how do I know I can repeat it?” I wanted to believe it, but it seemed so impossible.
“You won’t know until you try,” she said.
“Not shifting brought me nothing but pain,” I said. “If I try here and fail, it’s another group of shifters who know.”
“You think they’d care? Why do you think we’re all here? Some are like you,” she said.
