She’s sitting with the one person others feel too uncertain to linger around. Leah’s been dealt a shit hand in life, but she’s still one of my closest friends. Few others see her the same way, though.
This is the moment I understand why fate gave Carina to me.
And I fucking hate it.
Third Intermission
FREYA
All that mention of where shifters as a species came from—I know!
Maybe I shouldn’t sound excited, since it’s a bit of an uncomfortable tale.
Maybe I’ll admit it later on.
Maybe… Get me drunk enough and we’ll talk.
Alright, turns out I couldn’t hold onto it for long.
Idid it.
Yes, me. I was bored, okay? Hecate was leaving me alone so often and this was before the covens’ creation. Humans were starting to populate on Earth, so animals were my main form of company for a while.
So, I transformed a wolf into a human.
Look, don’t judge. It was really lonely back then. You can’t criticize until you live it.
Anyway, more details will be shared later so I’ll slink away now to find a judgement-free zone. Write your questions down.I’ll answer them when Ryder and Carina eventually learn this little tidbit.
That “history lesson” he’s doubtful I can provide.
Oh, he’ll get it…
Fourteen
CARINA
Twisting around,I find him scowling. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I’m unprepared for the depth of dislike found within it, and the way the air feels heavier, stagnant, and as tightly wound as he is. His brows draw into a thunderous knot, eyes narrowed into slits. The muscle in his jaw ticks as movement in the corner of my eye distracts me.
Leah rises to her feet and wipes her hands on her nondescript black leggings. It’s only then I take note of only her clothes, but also Ryder’s and the rest of the pack’s. They dress quite human, and also not much for the weather. Which at this time of year, seems to flip between summer heat and autumn cool temperatures within the same day.
“Ryder.” Leah tips her head respectfully, only commanding a second of his attention. If she were his girlfriend, or whatever, surely there’d be a more intimate interaction.
Despite me facing away, his eyes drill into the back of my head. They’re a slow crawl over my neck and shoulders that has me wanting to both run away and remain still and await his order.
Because all of that makes so much sense.What is it about him?
“Leah,” he greets in that rumble of his. “How’s Claire doing?”
“Good. You missed the magick show Carina put on for the kids.”
Damn you, Leah.
“Is that so?” he drawls, and I dig my fingers into my bare legs where the dress stops at my knee. “Carina was showing off her powers.”
“Claire’s gesturing for me, gotta go. Nice meeting you, Carina. Alpha.” With a final wave, she jogs to the other end of the camp. I watch her go from the corner of my vision, wishing with every fibre of my being I could follow and get away from the prickly act he’s mastered.
His shadow moves until one leg comes into view, and then the other as he steps over the log and plops down beside me. The heat from his attention is hotter than the flames, simmering as with the occasional breath. “You have a question. Ask it.”
