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The talons ripping open her skin are not like ours; they’re sharp and darker than they should be.
I try to get closer to her, but the guys growl in warning. If I wasn’t so shocked, I’d push my way toward her.
The guys don’t notice the subtle differences in her appearance. They’re so engrossed in helping her survive this that they have no clue that something is wrong.
Her smell. . . is off. It’s like the scent of a shifter, but at the same time, it’s not.
Something is not right here. I need to talk to the guys before bringing it up to Kat. I don’t want her to panic. Maybe we can figure it out without having to worry our mate even more.
Chapter three
Kat
Idon’tthinkI’llever be the same person I was before I got here. The old Kat would’ve never survived the shit I’ve been through, but this new version of myself that I’ve had to become is unrecognizable. I’m not sure if this new me is good or bad yet.
I look at the palm of my hand, and it’s no longer blistering; my shifter abilities have healed me. Benji stops the car, and without thinking, I open the door to get out.
At the house, pack members are already cleaning the mess. My body sags when I see the scene again, knowing the dead bodies of Krissy and Dan are among all the gore. I don’t feel sorry for them, but when I think about the ghosts of Amara’s coven, I shiver. I truly hope I don’t have to see them ever again.
I smell like copper and death. I’m so sticky and wet, and I’m walking like I’m wearing a thousand pounds of bricks on my legs. Each step is heavier than the one before.
I move past people as they avoid making eye contact with me. I don’t care to ask why nor do I have the energy to.
“I need to check on Ezra.” My voice is low and hollow as I stagger up the porch stairs. I look behind me at the trail of blood I brought with me, and still my body is numb.
Tyler hands me a phone, and I see Ezra’s number on the screen. He must have known I was going to ask about my son. It doesn’t scare me like it would have that they know my every thought before I can even form the words.
Tyler opens the door to the house, and as I walk in, I stand there for a moment to see if I’m going to break down and cry, but there’s nothing. No emotion whatsoever. Does this mean I’ve finally lost my mind?
The living room is bright, clean, and dust free—completely untouched by the mess marring the front lawn. I sigh and turn around to head back outside, not wanting to get specks of my enemies’ blood on the couches.
Taking a seat on the porch, I watch the men and women scurry around getting this place to its original state. I almost want to ask if they need help, but my body is too tired to move.
No one glares at me for not doing anything. They don’t look like they expect me to help, and that makes me feel slightly better knowing that I don’t have to drag my heavy body and clean up the gore.
I press the green button next to Ezra’s name and put it on a video call. Before my son answers, I turn to see Tyler and Benji in the doorway and ask, “Where’s he staying?”
“With Logan,” Tyler says as he and Benji walk out onto the porch and fall down next to me on either side.
“Is Ava going to be okay?” Ezra asks as soon as he answers the video call. Not even a hello, which makes me think he knew what was happening with Ava long before I did.
There’s a crease in his brow. He’s worried about her. They might fight and complain about each other, but at the end of the day, they’re family, and family has each other’s backs.
“I’m not sure yet,” I say. Benji rubs my leg in comfort, letting me know I’m not alone in this. “Why didn’t you tell me there was something wrong with Ava?” I’m too exhausted to sound angry. At this point, I’m starting to think that I might be broken.
Since learning about the supernatural world, it’s been nothing but a race to stay on top of everyone who wants to kill me. Is this how it will always be for us? Is this what my daughter has to look forward to? Will she have my magic? Will Ezra have to endure this too?
There are too many questions floating around in my head with barely any answers.
Ezra ends the crackling silence between us with a long exhale. “She told me to keep it a secret, Mom.” When I don’t answer he says, “It’s our code. We don’t snitch on each other.”
I should have realized sooner that their bond is so much stronger than I ever knew. I guess growing up without siblings doesn’t make me very experienced in these things.
“Ezra!” I yell, but my tone is missing its usual bite. “I need to know these things. How can I protect you if I don’t know what’s going on?”
“But was there really anything we could’ve done to prevent this?”my wolf asks, peeking her head out.
“She’ll be fine, right?” He tries to sound confident, but there’s slight fear in his tone.
