They didn’t stop. They wouldn’t stop.
So loud. So loud.
I sneezed. The hunger of each and every smell…ever…lodged itself in my brain. Dust, cedar wood cologne, silk, strawberry shampoo, copper blood… All raced around and around, more and more scents bombarding and throttling me.
I lifted onto my legs…and fell onto my butt.
Shaking my head, I lifted my hands.
Huge brown furry claws stunted my vision.
More shouts, all sounding a beat. As one.
Why wouldn’t they shut up?
I roared and raised onto four legs.
They were before me, but I was bigger. They wouldn’t be quiet. For the love of anything sacred, just be quiet. I shook my head and bared my teeth. I inhaled and more scents attacked.
I had to get away. My brain was going to explode. No noise and all noise bounced together as one against my skull, the smell of coconut lotion like a paddle to the brain, a never-ending beat to fry me.
I shook my head again and ran. Right through them, heading for the only outlet that I could see. I smashed through the door and banged against a hallway wall. I growled at my paws for not working right and then tried again.
I raced as fast as I could. Down hallways, just needing to be outside. In the open where it was quiet. I bounded down the stairs, only tumbling on the last step.
More screams…the wedding guests.
All began running like ants around me.
I was bigger than an ant.
I burst through the front door, trampling people as I raced for freedom, their cries cutting off a sweet reprieve.
Farther and farther I ran. Into the forest.
There, finally there, I found peace the farther I ran.
Eventually, I flopped onto my side under four barren trees. Birds, they were definitely birds, chirped nearby. Their sound was sweet and kind, like a flower petal brushing against my eardrum. I sighed and closed my eyes.
Just a little rest. Just…a little rest.
My mouth opened in a growl.
My head flew back. Someone was touching my ass.
It was a naked Cass, his eyes turning white.
I shuddered at his touch, a tornado engulfing me once again. Power, so much power, that I sank into the warm blanket of it. I groaned and closed my eyes.
“Faith, can you hear me?” Cass asked softly.
I curled in further on myself and wrapped my arms around my knees, the hard ground biting at my side; my naked flesh shivered in the cold.
I whispered, “Where’s Alaric? Did I hurt him?”
“Open your eyes. He’s coming up behind us.” Cass pulled me into a sitting position, even though I wouldn’t release my legs, staying curled up. He rubbed my back. “It isn’t as bad as what you think.”
“You can go back to the house, Cass. Thank you, but I’ve got it from here. See if you can do damage control,” Alaric rumbled, his tone vibrating down my spine. “Tell them the damn circus was in town, and I ordered them as a special gift to my new wife. She loves wild animals. But a cage was left open, and a bear went on a run.”
