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5
I was greeted by a trail of rocks outside Star’s home that I knew weren’t there before. Varied in size, the rocks led away from the front door, out into the soft grass and fading from view as they stretched toward the waterfall.
“What is all this?” I asked.
“My pack might be terrible, but they trained us to connect with our wolves well,” Shelia said. “The rocks are markers for each of the steps. As you complete each component, I remove a rock. They aren’t really needed, but they’re a good visual.”
I glanced over at Kyle. “Did you do this?”
“We just ran in the woods when we felt like it,” Kyle said. “Pretty sure there was training for Ace’s inner circle, but we weren’t there yet with Tyler.”
I recoiled at the name. I didn’t want to think about Tyler at all. Though, I suppose I should be grateful that Ace was lax with his training of his son. How much worse would things have been for me if Tyler was stronger?
“I can see why Wolf Creek needs the toxin to get anything done,” Malcom mumbled. “We didn’t take away rocks, but we earned a bead every time we reached a new stage. Same concept.”
“You’re telling me most packs have actual training and Wolf Creek was just a free for all?” Why was I not surprised? It was a good way to keep the majority of the pack weaker.
“Sheila and I talked it. Turns out, we had pretty much the same method to learn how to connect with our wolf,” Malcom said.
“And you’re both going to run through it,” Sheila said, pointing to me and Kyle.
“I know how to connect with my wolf,” Kyle said.
“I’m sure it could be improved,” Sheila said.
“And this type of training works better with a partner. You two are the newest wolves,” Malcom said.
“You can’t be much older than me,” Kyle said.
“They don’t shift at nineteen outside Wolf Creek.” I forgot that Kyle didn’t know all this. “They shift much younger.”
“No shit?”
I nodded. “There’s a lot they kept from us.”
“Well, who am I to turn down something that will help you?” Kyle said.
“It might help you, too,” Sheila said.
Kyle didn’t look convinced. “What do you want us to start with?”
“First point is shifting at will. Without the influence of the moon,” Sheila said.
Kyle pulled his shirt over his head. “Easy enough.”
Nervous flutters filled my stomach. I’d shifted once on my own, during a full moon. I knew it was coming, of course. It made sense that I’d need to learn to shift at will, but it was a big step.
“Alright.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.You ready for this? It was daylight, there was no moon to help, there wasn’t a ton of other shifters around. It was just me and my wolf. Well, and Kyle.
When I opened my eyes, Kyle was naked. “You got this, Lola.” He shuddered, then doubled over, his body breaking. Bones snapped as he began the change. For a horrible moment, he was all twisted limbs and grunting, then a large gray wolf stood in front of me.
I could feel my wolf responding, calling to me. She wanted to join him. For a moment, I resisted. What if the only way I could shift was if someone else shifted?
“Go ahead, Lola,” Malcom urged. “Shift. Quick run, then shift back.”
“This is an exercise in control,” Sheila explained.
Kyle’s wolf paced in front of me, and I could feel his impatience. He wanted me to join him. There was something else there, too. Was it fear? What could Kyle be worried about?
