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The chiefs looked at one another and, one by one, they all nodded once.

“Very well,” said Chief Gorem. “We will give you one week. One week to finish your investigation and to learn the proper customs and protocols. We will manage the royal affairs in the meantime.”

I bowed one last time. “Thank you, my lords.”

I strode out of the room, surprised my legs were strong enough to even move. My body felt like it was wobbling from head to toe.

“A week?” Tavik asked. “Will that be enough time?”

“It has to be,” I said.

Eleven

THE WOLF

Islept fitfully, unable to quiet my restless mind. Ordinarily, the bustling sounds of the other soldiers in the barracks soothed me to sleep. But now, it only reminded me of how everything would change.

Though I was their captain, many of them saw me as their equal. Someone they could laugh with and confide in.

Nothing would be the same anymore.

I wouldn’t be living here with my soldiers; I would likely have a royal suite to dwell in, with far more space than I was accustomed to. Servants and attendants and advisors would constantly surround me. No more drills or training. No more hunting or tracking.

I didn’t know the first thing about politics. How the hell was I supposed to do this?

Long before I was due to rise, I climbed out of my cot. The snores of those around me filled the barracks as I crept into the training yard.

It was pitch-black out, indicating the moon had descended below the horizon. It was a few hours before the next Rising. The quiet, peaceful moments when all was still.

Ordinarily, the hours of the Falling brought calmness to my soul. But not now.

“Are you ready to shift?” I asked Tavik. Usually he was begging me to take over by now. But he had been abnormally quiet, and I worried for him. Perhaps some time in the woods would help.

A pause. Then, “Yes. I think so.”

With a nod, I let the shift take over my body. Tavik sprang free, shaking his long fur and releasing a howl that split through the air and resonated through the field. I retreated to the furthest corners of my consciousness, selfishly grateful that he was in control. My thoughts and fears still circled my mind, but they were quieter now. I watched as Tavik padded down the road, gaining speed before he took off into the forest.

Time became a blur as I let him hunt. The trees sped past, and leaves and twigs crunched under his paws. He caught a squirrel and a rabbit, and I intentionally closed off my mind when he tore into the raw meat without a care for hair and bones.

By the time he was finished, the next Rising had arrived. The moon glistened as it peered over the horizon.

Almost Forenoon. I needed to fetch Cerise soon.

Unease twisted inside me, and Tavik sensed it.

“Breathe, Alaric,” he said. “You can do this.”

“Do you feel better?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

“Much. The shift was good for me. And with the moon’s Rising, I can feel the energy coursing through me like normal. It’s as if we never met the witch at all.”

I only wished that were true. As soon as we encountered her again, I expected Tavik’s strange behavior to return.

After shifting to my human form, I slipped back into the barracks. Soldiers were already milling about, getting ready for the first round of training. I went to my cot and pulled on a tunic and trousers. When I looked up, I locked eyes with Reid, whose cot was across from mine. He was lacing up his boots and straightened when he saw me.

“Reid.” I approached him, wondering if he still harbored bitterness toward me after I reprimanded him in front of the witch. “Tell Warren he needs to take over drills for the day. You and I have to finish our investigation with the witch.”

Reid’s brows creased, and a muscle worked in his jaw. For a moment, I thought he might argue with me. But, after a brief pause, he nodded and said, “I don’t trust her.”