"I said I would," I remind him, trying to keep my voice steady. "I want to see this part of you. All of you."
Sean grins, brimming with his usual chaos energy, only tonight, it's turned up to a hundred. "It's gonna be awesome, Storm. Wait until you see how badass we look."
"No badassery," Killian says pointedly.
Sean groans. "Right, right, I know the drill."
"Are you sure you're ready?" Micah asks, his eyes searching mine behind his glasses. "We can wait if you need more time."
"I'm ready," I say, with more confidence than I feel. "Just... go slow at first, okay?"
Rowan nods, understanding in his gaze. "We'll take it at your pace. If at any point you want to stop, just say the word and we'll shift back."
Killian squeezes my hands once before releasing them and stepping back to join the others. "We'll shift one at a time so it's less overwhelming. Rowan first, then Micah, Sean, and me last."
I nod, steeling myself as Rowan moves to the center of the clearing. He gives me a reassuring smile before closing his eyes. The transformation is both more and less dramatic thanI expected. His body doesn't break and reform in some horror movie spectacle.
Instead, it's a fluid, almost graceful transition. One moment he's a man, the next his form blurs and shifts quickly, and suddenly a massive silver-gray wolf stands where Rowan was.
My heart hammers in my chest, old fear rising like bile in my throat. But through our bond, I feel nothing but Rowan and his calm intelligence, his steady presence. The wolf's eyes are the same dark brown as his human form, watching me with patience.
"It's still him," I whisper to myself, forcing my breathing to slow. "It's still Rowan."
Micah steps forward next, his transformation just as smooth. His wolf form is slightly smaller than Rowan's, and his fur gleams with hints of gold in the sunlight. His eyes remain the same warm hazel behind his light markings.
Sean practically leaps into his shift, his excitement impossible to contain. His wolf is powerfully built, both muscular and padded, with the same mischievous gleam in his eyes that he has in human form.
Definitelythe giant wolf I spotted from the window.
He shakes himself all over, then prances in a circle with his head held high, showing off.
I can't help but laugh at his antics, the sound breaking apart some of the apprehension inside me. These wolves, thesespecificwolves, are nothing like the monster in the basement that attacked me. Through our bond, I can feel their distinct personalities, their love for me.
Finally, Killian steps forward, his jaw set.
For a moment, I'm afraid something's going to go horribly wrong becausehe'sacting like it will. He closes his eyes, holds his breath, and drops to the ground. When he hits the grass, he's a massive wolf with jet black fur, ice-blue eyes, and shoulders that come up to my chest.
He's certainly intimidating, but he's still a wolf. Not a monster, however much concern there is in those eyes, like I might think differently.
I realize I've been holding my breath long enough to get dizzy and let it out slowly.
Four wolves now stand before me, watching me with intelligent eyes that hold no trace of mindless aggression. Through our bond, I feel their anxiety, their hope for my acceptance, and beneath it all, their joy at being in these forms, wild and strong and free.
Slowly, carefully, Killian approaches me. His movements are deliberate, non-threatening, giving me every opportunity to back away if I need to. But I hold my ground, even as my heart races. He stops a few feet away, then lowers himself to the ground, chest against the earth, head on his paws—the most gentle posture a wolf can take.
The message is clear. Even in this form, I'm the one in control. They will never hurt me.
I take a deep breath and step forward, extending my hand. Killian raises his massive head, sniffing at my fingers before gently pressing his muzzle against my palm. His fur is softer than I expected, thick and warm beneath my fingers.
"Hello, alpha," I say softly, scratching behind his ear.
A rumble of pleasure vibrates through him, and through our bond, I feel his relief and happiness. One by one, the other wolves approach, each taking their turn to reintroduce themselves to me in this form. Sean playfully snuffles my sleeve, while Micah leans his weight against my legs in a gesture that feels like a hug. Rowan simply sits beside me, a steady presence at my side.
"You're all beautiful," I tell them, meaning it. In the sunlight, with their intelligent eyes and thoughtful movements, they are magnificent creatures. Powerful but controlled, wild but devoted.
Killian rises to his feet, shaking out his fur before looking at me expectantly. Through our bond, I feel his question.
Ready to run?
