Volt must suspect that because he takes me on a full tour of the island, darting past other shifters and showing me their homes. Most of them live in log homes similar to the one I stayed in on the first two nights. Others have dug out caves, creating their own dens.
He shows me the real docks and all the speed boats tucked into the hidden cove—it’s really just disguised by leaves and a curling stream that heads inland. It’s barely big enough for the yacht, which I suspect they built with specific sizing in mind to be able to push it up this stream.
After exploring the docks, he takes me to another area of the island where a few more buildings stand, One is a library. Another is an internet cafe of sorts. And the third appears to be a little coffee shop. All items I did not expect on this island, but they’re hidden by lush pine trees making them not visible off the island.
So I’m guessing the Elders don’t know this exists at all.
Just like the abundance of power—which is sourced from the middle of the island, something else Volt shows me—and other advanced features.
It’s a whirlwind tour that leaves me breathless.
A howl pierces the air, causing Volt to pause for a moment. He howls back, then leads me back to the docks rather than to the den.
I don’t understand until I find Caius and Tieran waiting for us with bags and a basket of what smells like fresh food.
Oh.
We ran all day.
It went by so quickly that I didn’t even notice the sun beginning to set in the sky.
Volt shifts back into his human form, his expression filled with mischief as he looks at Tieran. “Clove’s wolf needed a run.”
“I see that,” Tieran says, his blue eyes meeting mine with a warm smile before focusing once more on Volt. “But we should go. I don’t particularly enjoy navigating the water at night.”
My heart stutters a little. We spent all day running, which means Volt can’t live up to his part of the deal.
I’m mildly disappointed.
But also elated that we ran all day.
So I’m conflicted on how I feel about that.
Volt’s dark eyes find mine as he runs his fingers through his dark hair, making his tattooed arms bulge alluringly. “We’ll play on the yacht instead,” he tells me. “Assuming you can shift back.”
Oh, my wolf approves of this challenge. As do I.
He folds his arms, giving me his full attention.
Caius and Tieran both stare at me intently, too.
I swallow, suddenly nervous. Do they think I’ll fail? I don’t scent any concern on them, just their usual scents of peppermint, pine, and coppery ash.
A delicious blend that makes me sigh.
I want to roll in their scents and bathe in their Alpha essence.
“Shift, Clove,” Volt dares, his gaze glittering with wicked promise.
I take a deep breath, intimidated by the process of shifting.
Because the last several times I tried, my wolf refused to let me go.
However, this time she urges me on.
No, she does more than that. She guides me through it, helping me return to my human form. It doesn’t hurt. It… it feels natural. And completely different from before when I felt blocked beneath another being’s power.
Because Tieran only encouraged my shift the other day, he didn’t maintain his hold. He literally set me free.
The way an Alpha should.
The way a mate should.
He didn’t lord his power over me, he let me be the shifter I’m supposed to be.
Tears prickle my eyes as I complete my transformation and stand on my own. I did it. I shifted.
But the males around me appear expectant, not proud. They’re still watching me with that subtle hint of intrigue.
When nothing happens, Tieran merely nods and says, “Well done, Clove.”
Somehow that feels lacking in comparison to the triumph vibrating through my soul. Even Volt appears to be less than impressed as he says, “That was perfect, sweetling.”
“A beautiful display,” Caius echoes.
Their words are what I want to hear.
But something is missing.
Joy, I think. Joy and… and… I can’t put my finger on it.
All I feel is a hint of disappointment, but I’m not sure if it’s coming from them or from me.
Until I realize the source of it. The last time I shifted, I went into heat.
Were they waiting for that to happen now? Hoping that I would fall into a full estrus? To make me truly eligible as their mate?
I heard them talking the other night, their words chasing me into my dreams. Tieran needs an heir. Which means he needs an Omega that can procreate.
That’s why he hasn’t claimed me yet. It’s also probably why he won’t touch me. I’m not worthy enough in my current state, something that makes me bitter and annoyed.
I want to be good enough for them. I want these males to claim me, to knot me, to make me theirs.
Because my wolf has already decided that they belong to her.
But what if I never go into a proper heat cycle? Will they reject me? Find a new Omega for their clan?
Just the thought of it almost destroys me.
I’ve already been rejected once.
I’m not sure I’ll survive it a second time, not when my spirit tells me these males are meant to be mine.
“Clove?” Tieran prompts, a frown creasing his forehead. “Are you all right?”
Am I all right? I almost laugh. But instead I hear myself saying, “I’m fine.” It’s a lie that tastes wrong on my tongue. “I enjoyed my tour,” I add, trying to focus on the positives.
Live in the moment, I tell myself. Don’t dwell on things you can’t control.
The latter is a phrase my mom used to say. She always told me to indulge in the pleasant part of life because I may never know when I’ll need those memories to help make it through a potentially negative experience.
Looking back on it now, I can’t help but wonder if she was preparing me for life as Canton’s mate. She taught me to pick my battles, hold onto my happy moments, and to know when to fight.
It seems she knew a lot more about my future than she ever let on.
Which makes sense given my Carnage Wolf heritage.
“Hmm,” Tieran hums, a hint of something in his tone.