I could hear Donovan’s laughter from outside. “She’s my mate. Don’t even try to make us feel bad about it.”
Without slowing, I headed straight to our usual spot, passing Roxy and Axel. The rest were behind me, laughing at my expense. I was okay with that because it gave me a few seconds to myself.
I was both surprised and disappointed that Winter hadn’t come back around. It was a double-edged sword, and neither alternative was ideal. I wanted her to want to talk to me, but I also wanted her to respect me as I tried to figure out if there was any truth to her story.
My wolf told me it was true. None of the deception clues had been there, but it seemed so far-fetched.
I reached the small clearing and slowed, allowing my pack, Egan, and Luther to catch up.
Egan stayed at the edge like always, close enough to provide suggestions but far enough away to keep an eye out for anything out of sorts.
Egan patted Luther’s arm and said, “Stay here with me. We need you to keep some distance from the others if the guys shift. They might see you as a threat.”
“Okay.” Luther leaned against a tree, his attention on us. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to watch a shifter change.”
“Expect some nudity.” Roxy took the bag from Axel and tossed it on the ground. “Their clothes will rip off if they succeed.”
“Eh.” Luther wrinkled his nose. “Still would be cool. I’ll just keep my eyes northbound.”
Axel pointed at him. “Good idea.”
“Okay, enough kidding around.” I enjoyed the friendships we shared, but we had to get these two guys on all fours. They’d come close yesterday, so if I were a betting woman, I’d wager they would get there today. “Get to feeling at one with the earth.”
Donovan and Axel closed their eyes. It helped them concentrate, or that was what they thought. As long as it did something, we were good.
I wasn’t sure how long we stood there, but suddenly, I heard bones breaking.
Donovan dropped to the ground, and fur sprouted along his arms.
A loud groan left him, and his body contorted. Holy shit. This hurts.
I remembered my first shift. It had hurt like a bitch. The more you shift, the easier it gets. Your body is learning how to do it right now. I hadn’t warned him about the pain in case it scared him from trying to shift. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.
His shirt ripped off, and his spine molded and transformed as his arms changed to legs.
“He did it,” Luther gasped.
Axel followed right behind him, though not quite as far along. His wolf must have been following Donovan’s lead. His shift was slower, and by the sounds of it, much more painful.
Their groans turned into cries, which then morphed into howls.
Donovan’s pants ripped off, and the last of his bones shifted. A low, threatening growl filled the air, and his eyes locked on Luther.
Shit, maybe we shouldn’t have brought him after all.
Before I could react, Donovan ran toward Luther and then lunged aiming for his neck.
Chapter Nine
Egan jumped in front of the vampire in the nick of time. He shoved his large hands onto Donovan’s shoulders, and the new wolf fell to the ground.
A small whimper left Axel as his body broke the last few bones and completed his transition. I didn’t need two unruly wolves running around, unable to control their urges.
Donovan snarled. His animal saw Luther as the ultimate bad guy, probably because a vampire had almost killed them.
Control your wolf. The last thing I wanted to do was use my alpha will on him. He was my equal, but I’d do it if necessary. Now.
Fear poured off Donovan and Axel in waves, proving they weren’t in their right minds. That was why I’d been afraid of them shifting too soon—they wouldn’t be able to control the animal within.
Axel crouched, ready to protect us.
Sadie, you’ve gotta do something! Roxy yelled through the bond. They’re going to get hurt.
Or hurt someone, but I somehow kept the words locked in. Roxy wasn’t thinking rationally either.
“Donovan. Axel,” I said, trying to get their attention on me.
Neither one looked at me. The command had been lacking from my voice.
“You’re going to have to do it!” Egan bellowed as the pupils in his golden eyes turned to slits. “Or I’ll have to put them down.”
Luther scrambled away, making the situation even worse. He was acting like prey and bringing their inner predator closer to the surface.
Donovan stood back on his four legs and watched Luther intently, ready to strike at the first opportunity.
Dammit, they were forcing my hand. I closed my eyes and pulled power from my wolf. I’d never used the alpha will, so I didn’t know how to begin. I let my wolf instincts take over. “I said stop it.” My voice rang with authority like never before, and the two wolves stopped dead in their tracks. “You will not attack Luther.”
Axel whimpered as he tried to disobey me. Vampire, he hissed through the pack bond.
Friend, I replied. They’re protecting us. Stop letting your wolf rule you.
Roxy ran over to stand in front of them, putting herself between Egan and the pack. “They’re both our friends. Yes, you need your animal to take over to shift, but not completely. Lock it back down.”
Donovan’s dark head turned in my direction, and his animal eyes turned a lighter blue as his human side regained control. Holy shit. He shook his head hard. I don’t know what happened.
It’s fine. The worse he felt, the harder it would be for him to trust his wolf in the future. Your wolf must realize that your human side has slightly more control. That’s all.
But I almost hurt him … He glanced at Luther.
Next time, he won’t be allowed to come. I’d forgotten how volatile the first shift could be. We wouldn’t make that mistake again. Are you okay?
Yeah. Donovan turned to his friend. Are you?
Axel backed away from Egan and Luther. I was okay after she put the hammer down.
Donovan lowered his head with shame. Tell him I’m sorry.
“Don’t try running again,” Egan told Luther as he stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, ready for the guys to attack again. “Is everything okay?”
“They’re good now,” I reassured Egan. If I had to command them again, I wouldn’t hesitate. “But you should probably head back to the house.” I glanced at the young vampire and lifted a hand toward the wolves. “They need to run around and adapt to their animal forms. I’d hate for something to happen to you.”
“No, it’s fine.” The kid kept his attention on Donovan and Axel. The spicy scent of fear hung in the air. “I’ll go back. I only wanted to get out of the house for a little while.”
Last night, Katherine had informed us that her brothers weren’t strong enough to be around other supernaturals. They didn’t like them leaving the house on the off chance they might run into other vampires who might influence them to live like them. She had more control over her humanity and bloodthirst and still almost lost it the night the vampire had nearly drained Donovan and Axel.
“Make sure not to run.” Egan puffed his chest bigger. “Their wolves could take over again.”
Maybe he was more pufferfish than dragon. At this point, it almost seemed plausible.
“Yeah. Okay.” Luther walked off so slowly that a baby could’ve out crawled him. Poor kid, he might be damaged for life.
“Come on, guys.” Roxy waved them after her. “Let me shift, and we’ll go for a run.”
I wanted to join them, but I wasn’t ready yet. Someone needed to stay human with Egan. With the fae and other pack threat so close by, he didn’t want us coming out here alone. If we ran into the other pack, I’d need to be able to converse with them. Egan wouldn’t know what to say on our behalf.
Are you joining us? Donovan asked with so much hope, but he already knew the answer. We’d talked about it last night.