Chatper 382


    Chapter 0382


    I realized then, what I couldn’t see before when I had been drowning under my own feelings. Nichs


    had almost lost me. I had so very nearly died. If he had arrived a secondter, if Jane had been quicker


    with the knife… There were so many what ifs.


    Being near Nichs was affirming for me, but it was the same for him. When he held me, we both


    could confirm I was alive.


    “Okay,” I said and ced my hand over his head. Oddly, the steady thump of his chest seemed to keep


    exact pace with my own, as if our hearts beat as one.


    It was a foolish fantasy of a thought, but aforting one all the same.


    I closed my eyes and counted our heartbeats until we reached the edge of the forest. There, gently,


    Nichs kept his word and lowered me down to my feet.


    “Night?” I called. “Silver?”


    Shadows moved within the forest. I took a half-step back, ready to defend myself, but it was only the


    two wolves breaking away from the dark.


    Night was near invisible in the darkness. Or at least, he would have been without my wolf. But now, I


    could see his outline more clearly, and more, I could feel him there, like a sixth sense. He was pack, as


    was Silver, and Nichs beside me.


    Our wolves recognized each other. I touched my chest. Even when I’d had my wolf before, I’d never


    truly been pack. Nichs and I had started to share a bond, but we’d been young. Nothing had truly


    developed.


    A sense of belonging filled me and I was warm and… happy.


    The two wolves looked at me strangely for a moment, tilting their heads. But then Nichs spoke and


    brought us all back to the matter at hand.


    “Has anyonee through the woods tonight?” he asked. “Particrly Piper’s twin.”


    “No.” I heard the soft voice in my head as clear as if Silver had been human and said the word aloud in


    my ear. I looked at her. She was watching me. “The woods. have been quiet this night.”


    “I can hear you,” I said.


    “Your wolf has returned to you,” Night said this time. I looked at him and found him watching me too.


    “She has mourned for you, every moment it was with your


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    “How do you know?” I asked.


    “She howled,” Silver said. “We listened.”


    Nichs ced his hand on the small of my back, and I nearly cried. This was so overwhelming.


    Having my wolf, having a pack that felt like home. I wanted to bring Elva here again, and have her, the


    wolves, Nichs, Julian, Veronica, and Susie all in one ce. If only Anna could be there too. Then my


    whole family would be in one ce.


    “You should shift,” Night said. “You should run. Bond.”


    “I haven’t done that in so long…”


    “She’s injured,” Nichs said.


    “It’s not so bad anymore,” I said. I was scared for other reasons. “What if I don’t remember how?”


    Nich s’s stern gaze melted, and he stepped closer to me. “The wolf will remind you.”


    I hoped with all my heart that was true. Though, as I centered myself and listened to the voices within, I


    could hear my wolf’s encouragement.


    “We remember,” it seemed to say.


    “I will go with you,” Nichs said. “I will stay by your side.”


    “A pair bonding,” Night said. “Good.”


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    “Pair bonding?” I asked, confused.


    “Between mates,” Silver said.


    My cheeks went hot. “Uh, we aren’t… I mean…” I didn’t know how to rify the situation in a way the


    wolves would understand.


    “Thank you,” Nichs said to them instead, then guided ine toward the woods. ” Don’t worry,” he


    whispered in my ear. “It doesn’t mean what you think…”


    Oh. Disappointment filled me. I tried to push it down.


    “Focus on your wolf,” Nichs said, returning me to the moment. “Bring it to the surface.”


    I closed my eyes and tried. I pushed deep into myself and found my wolf waiting.


    +15 BONUS


    Focus.


    Focus.


    When I opened my eyes again, I was in the body of a wolf. And I took off running.