Jared knelt beside Seb. “Not sure how well you can see it, but this is you. You’re a beautiful sandy brown colour—fucking typical that you’d look good as a wolf too. Seeing the three of you like this is making me a little jealous.” He ruffled Seb’s fur and held the phone for him to see.
Seb stared at the image: the surrounding colours seemed a bit off, but the wolf was easy to see.Wow.It was so surreal to think that animal was him.
Tim nudged him. Seb turned to look at him, and excitement and anticipation filled their connection.
Time to run.The thought was as clear to him as if Tim had spoken it aloud.
Okay, let’s do this.
He followed Tim towards the door and stood with him as they waited for Jared to open it.
With his mate and his friends beside him, Seb walked out into the corridor, feeling more confident, alive, and content than he could ever remember.
This was the start of his new life.
Epilogue
One week later
“I still can’t believe you won’t shift for me.” Kelly sat staring at the picture of wolf-Seb on her phone.
Seb rolled his eyes. “Three weeks. That’s all you have to wait, then you can see.”
“Tim says you can do it anytime though. You don’t have to wait for the next full moon.”
“I know, but….”
“But what?” She set the phone down and looked at him.
Seb shrugged, unsure how to put it into words. “I’d just… rather not. Until I get used to it.”
“Okay. Fair enough, I suppose. I’ll stop bugging you.” She curled into the arm of the sofa and yawned even though it was only half past one in the afternoon.
Seb leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees. “You still having trouble sleeping?”
He’d visited his sister as soon as the hospital had discharged him on the morning after their run. Physically she was fine, but mentally… Seb wasn’t too sure.
“No, Seb.” She fixed him with a glare that reminded him of their mother. Not that he would ever dare tell her that. “As I keep telling you, I’m fine. I was just up late watching some stupid series on Netflix. Stop worrying about me.”
“I can’t help it, Kel. You were kidnapped by shifters, for fuck’s sake. It’s bound to have an effect on you.”
She sighed and reached over to take his hand. “It did have an effect—I was terrified. But then I was rescued. And now I’m safe.” Squeezing his fingers, she sighed again. “It’s over now. I just want to forget about it. Please can you try and do the same.”
Seb doubted he’d manage that for a very long time. His need to protect his sister was stronger than ever now—but that was another thing he’d never mention. Kelly was fiercely independent and would be none too pleased if she knew he wanted to shelter her from everyone and everything. He couldn’t help it, though.
Swallowing it all back, he smiled. “Yeah, okay. I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
They were in Tim’s flat, waiting for him to come back from work. Well, Seb was. Kelly had popped in for a chat and a coffee. He’d wanted her to stay with either him or Jared, but she’d flatly refused.
As soon as they heard the front door open, Kelly stood and smoothed down her skirt. “Okay, that’s my cue to go.”
Tim wandered into the living room. “You don’t have to leave on my account.”
She smiled, and Seb wanted to grab her and beg her to stay. “That’s okay. I know you two have that meeting this afternoon. Besides, I think I’ve pestered Seb enough for one day.” She walked into the hall, and Seb followed, watching as she slipped her shoes and coat on. “God, stop it. I’ll be fine.”
“I know. Sorry.” When she came in for a hug, he held her tightly. “Text me when you get home”
