I trot over and flop down on my belly, legs bent under me, but it feels uncomfortable, so I shift and awkwardly stretch my front legs out in front of me. Ah, that’s slightly better. Heat from the flames embraces me, and a wave of exhaustion comes over me.
“Relax,” Jae says to me. “My sister, Narah, taught me how to change back when I first transformed a couple of years ago. It’s as easy as exhaling, but you need to be calm.”
Speaking and doing are two very different things. I look up at her and groan with a rushed breath.
She reaches over and strokes the top of my head with her small hand. The impression snakes down my back with the most soothing sensation I’ve ever experienced, and my eyelids are fluttering with the need to close them.
“There are places in this world that are riddled with secrets and danger,” she explains. “But one thing for certain is that our wolves will always be there, and that we have control of our animal side. Think of all the things you experienced in your life up till now, and how afterward, you became a slightly different person. Every day changes you.”
I study Jae, who now sits with her legs crossed in front of me. Her words are profound and deep for someone so young, and I’m guessing she is parroting what her sister told her. Maybe one day I’ll get to meet her sibling, as she sounds wise.
Jae’s fingers scratch over my ears delicately, and my eyes close. “You are in control. Call your wolf inside you.”
A gentle ripple skims through me, the warmth from the fire soothing me with its sputtering sounds, and I’m half-falling asleep from Jae’s soft petting. A single thought of my wolf retreating crosses my mind, and a sudden sweep of fur brushing against my insides begins.
My mind turns over to memories of going apple picking with Mama as a child, my breaths heavy. And then darkness sweeps over me.
“Meira, are you hungry?” a soft female voice asks, then someone shakes me harshly by the shoulder.
In a heartbeat, my memories roll over me like a truck, and I flip open my eyes to Jae’s face. She’s looking down at me, chewing on something, and the smell of grilled meat has me salivating.
“What are you eating?” I say, the words out loud. I’m human. With a gasp, I lift my hands to see they are in fact hands. No fur or claws or anything animal-like. “Oh, hell yes, I’m back to being me.” I get up quickly, staring down at my naked body, cut and bruised, but I changed. It didn’t seem too hard to do, though it put me to sleep, so hopefully, that’s not a common side effect.
“Thank you so much.” I glance over to Jae as she bites into the small drumstick, her chin greasy from the meal. The fire spits and crackles from the two rabbit rotisseries sitting over the flame, and I’m starving.
But my thoughts swivel to my three mates captured by Mad. Behind me, rain drizzles over the land, the sunlight cowering behind the heavy clouds staining the sky.
“I have clothes for you. Come eat before rushing out there,” Jae says, smacking her lips.
I follow her pointed finger to the wall across from the fire, where a pile of clothes waits for me. “Where did you find them?”
“At the back of the cave. Told you I was here before, and one thing my eldest taught me was that everywhere I stay, I leave a small survival pack.”
Dragging on the baggy pants, I pull at the corded string so they don’t fall off me, then reach for the black T-shirt. “She sounds smart. You never know when you might be back at a cave. Case in point here.”
“Oh, it’s not just for me, but for any woman in trouble and needing clothes, fire supplies, and a warm blanket.”
I’m partly gobsmacked by her admittance. Why has her idea never crossed my mind before? I was so busy surviving, keeping away from everyone, that helping others who are just trying to live never occurred to me once. And now, I make a note in my mind that it’s something I intend to start doing.
I stroll over to the fire and plonk myself down on my heels, already reaching over for a piece of rabbit.
“You were busy while I fell asleep, and I would love to meet your sisters one day.” I rip free a drumstick and sit back, eating. The meat is a bit tough, but it’s hot and fatty, making it everything I need.
She shrugs, gnawing on a bone before going in for another helping. “I never made it to our spot.” Her voice grows faint and she stares into the flames, the blaze dancing in her eyes.
“So tell me, what happened after you ran away from me?” I ask, trying to distract her a bit from the obvious pain of not reaching her sisters. Jae told me last time that they’d gotten separated, but they had a meeting point if that ever happened. Smart. I’ve heard of people spending weeks trying to cross paths with someone.
“I didn’t want you to try stopping me, so I took off to meet with my sisters. One person on her own is easier to slide through the woods unnoticed than two, especially from the undead.” She holds herself strong and her fighting spirit reminds me so much of me.
Most likely, I would have done the same in her position.
She swallows the mouthful and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I didn’t hear the Alphas sneak up on me. I should have been more careful, and now I’m even farther away from the meeting zone.”
“Your sisters will wait for you,” I urged.
“I know she will,” she answered adamantly. “She made me agree that we’d meet there even if it took years.”
The hope in her voice tears through me. I used to believe in so many things before I watched the Shadow Monsters kill my mama. After that, I lost my hope in this wretched world we live in that eats and spits you out daily if you let it. The only way I survived was to become selfish, to accept that no one would come rescue me. I spent many nights crying myself to sleep, and it doesn’t get easier being alone. But how can I say those things to Jae when she holds on to that thread of possibility like a lifeline?
“How about we make an agreement?” I suggest. “You don’t run away anymore, and I will help you track down your sisters with the Ash Wolves.”
Her eyes widen with shock. “Are you mad? No Alphas help Omegas, don’t you know that? And I don’t intend to be captured.”
“You won’t be. I have three mates, all Ash Wolves, and well, I need to rescue them from the assholes who tried to kidnap you. Then they will help you get back to the waiting spot, I give you my word.” There was no doubt in my mind that they would help.
Jae shakes her head. “You worry about what you need to do, but I don’t need your help.”
“We all need help sometimes. Like when I rescued you from that rogue Alpha in the woods over a week ago, plus today.”
She stiffens, her shoulders squaring. “And I saved you and got you to shift back into your human body. We’re even.”
I laugh and collect the rest of what’s left of the half-eaten rabbit. “I just want to help you, Jae. You leave items in a cave in case other females are in trouble because you want to help too. It’s okay to accept assistance.”
Her brow furrows instead of fighting back.
Only the crackling fire floods the silence as we eat.
“Why don’t you come with me?” she finally says. “Narah will welcome you to stay with us. There will be no Alphas to command or try to rut you.” She snarls after saying the words.