Phillip pointed to the couple in the big, round chair that were cuddled close. “You’ve met my sister, Rose, and the guy next to her is Draco, our leader of sorts. He’s the original.” Draco gave me a subtle nod hello, and Rose waved.
“Good to see you again, and not all furry.” She giggled and then Lilith took over the introductions.
“This hunk of burning love next to me is my husband, Leon; he’s got super-strength and speed. Good for running to the store for tampons.” She was teasing him, and he just rolled his eyes. Obvious love between them, but I bet she kept him on his toes.
“And this is our tech guy. All the cool gadgets we need, Charles can make us.” The man she pointed to was handsome and had a positive vibe, as if he’d never lose his cool, no matter what came his way. I looked around at everyone, taking them in. Everyone was dressed casually, just hanging out. It looked very laid-back.
I felt a restlessness underneath my skin start to spread.
Crap.
There wasn’t time to warn them before an animal decided they were needed right now.
“Holy shit!” AJ shrieked and jumped from his chair about three feet away from me. Draco was up and so was Leon in an instant, ready to fight off the animal that stood before them. I looked down and saw my wolf paws.
“Aw, she’s so beautiful!” Lilithcomplimented me and looked at Phillip once before reaching her hand out for me to sniff.
“Darling. Seriously?” Leon growled, and she shushed him.
“It’s still her in there, from one animal to another. I bet this creature felt it was needed to sniff us out and get the lowdown. Wolves are pack animals. They sense shit like that.” Lilith peered into my eyes, and I saw her spirit behind those brown depths. She was right—it was why the wolf wanted to come out, to feel out the group and approve of them or warn me of danger.
One by one I looked into the eyes of each person. All besides Lilith and Phillip were holding their breath, waiting to see what I would do.
My wolf instincts seemed satisfied, and I looked around for somewhere to go so I wouldn’t just transform into my human form and be naked in front of everyone. Phillip nodded toward the door.
“There’s some clothes for you next to the open room to the outside the door.” I looked to the door and hopped off the couch. I dressed quickly in the computer room and made my way back to the couch to see if I was still welcomed in this place.
“Sorry, sometimes an animal instinct takes over. I’m still in control, but they always do it for a reason,”I said, seeing everyone’s posture relax. Draco sat back down but looked at me as if he was trying to figure me out.
“Your powers are from Diana, goddess of the hunt and the moon. She could control and talk to animals. All gods could change into them, but with her, it was different. They were like one. I’ve only seen this power once in my lifetime—a woman from Seahill’s original native tribe. She died in battle while fighting off the first set of explorers that tried to take over the area. Tiponi was her name, means—”
“Child of importance,” Iinterrupted, familiar with the story that he was telling. We were told the legend of Tiponi growing up on the reservation. She saved our tribe. They said she had the spirit of the wild within her, and that’s how she was able to overcome the intruders.
Draco nodded, and I felt like a vital piece of my history just clicked into place.
“For you to have those powers, you are most likely related to her.”
