Chapter 11

Lechandray got up from her hunched position under the table. We only used it when my family visited. There wasn’t much space in the Caravan for the family. We were a tall bunch. Curt took most of the double seater anyway.

But Lechandray was the ideal definition of a Sentinel.

Her lean muscles flexing as she stretched out her tall form. Her keen slanted  eyes and long neck were genetic makeups of her fathers family. Her grey wolf were ours.

“We can’t wait for your fat ass to join us sweet cuz. The Sentinels are going to enjoy breaking you in.” Her words were a promise as the small smile twisted her mouth in an almost wistful grin as she stared eagerly at Curt.

“That’s nasty Chan,” Keiral accused as she walked closer to Curt.

“Says the girl who can’t cross a finish line without Papa growling in the background.” Lechandray's wolf wouldn’t be kind enough to let Keiral one up her. I knew it.

Don’t do it Keiral. DON’T TAKE THE BAIT. My wolf screamed in my head. Her voice annoyed and hopeful.

She’s going to get us in a fight if she doesn’t shut her yap. My wolf warned me with a groan. She didn’t like fighting Keiral’s battles but we were the biggest wolf and the only black wolf apart from Ouma Wells and the black wolf in a family was primarily the leader.

What’s new? I answered back.

Keiral’s doughy brown eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a pout that promised trouble. “Oh, please, Chan,” Keiral tsked, flailing her hands.

Why must she do that with her hands? Can’t she just plant her hands on her hips like a normal person?

 Her gold hair catching the sunlight like a halo she was not as her frown deepened.

Oh boy.  “You talk big for someone whose wolf trips over her own paws half the time. What’s next, you gonna challenge a squirrel to a nut cracking competition? Or start chasing voles?”

Lechandray’s grin vanished, her slanted eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. “Keep yapping, little bunny. My wolf’s got more bite in one fang than your whole fluffball self.”

She stepped closer, her lean frame towering over Keiral, muscles flexing under her fitted shirt. The air crackled with tension, the kind that always followed Keiral’s big mouth and Chan’s egotistical nature.

Fuck, I thought I’m supposed to be resting. My wolf agreed with me.

I groaned, my wolf stirring inside me, already annoyed. She’s gonna get us in another mess, Ash. Rein her in. I’m tired.

 Keiral wasn’t done. She puffed out her chest, which barely made a difference, and jabbed a finger at Lechandray. “At least I don’t strut around telling everyone I’m a Sentinel so they can like me. You’re all bark, Chan. Bet you shift and still can’t catch me.”

That did it. Lechandray’s eyes glowed amber, her lips peeled back to show teeth sharpening into points. “You asked for it, cuz.” With a low growl, her body shimmered, bones snapping and reforming in a fluid blur. In seconds, her grey wolf stood tall, fur bristling, ears pinned back. She was sleek, powerful, and pissed.

 Her tail flicking like a whip.

Keiral squeaked but didn’t back down, because of course she didn’t. “Oh, big scary wolf! What now, you gonna drool on me?” Her bravado was all hot air, and everyone knew it. Curt snorted from the table, pie crumbs on his shirt, but I felt my wolf surge, hackles rising.

Not again, Keiral. My wolf growl through my human throat.

I didn’t think twice. My skin burned, my vision sharpening as I let the shift take over. Fur erupted, black as midnight, and my bones stretched until I loomed over them all, my big black wolf filling the space under the oak tree. I planted myself between Keiral and Lechandray, my growl low.

“Back off, Chan. She’s family, but I’ll still pin you.”

 

Lechandray’s wolf snapped her jaws, more playful than serious, but her eyes locked on Keiral, who was now half-hiding behind me. “Lyn, tell her to chill!” Keiral yelped, clutching my fur like I was her personal shield. “She’s just jealous I’ve got more charm in one claw than she’s got in her whole tail!”

 

Lechandray lunged, but it was a feint, her paws kicking up dirt as she circled us. I swatted at her with a massive paw, keeping it light, my tail wagging just enough to show I wasn’t really mad. She dodged, yipping, and nipped at my flank, her grey fur a blur. Keiral squealed, darting behind the table, still mouthing off.

“See? Even Lyn’s got my back! You’re outnumbered, Chan!”

 

I huffed, my wolf’s version of an eye-roll, and tackled Lechandray gently, pinning her to the grass. Her wolf wriggled, snapping playfully at my ears, but I held her down, careful not to crush her. Keiral peeked out, grinning like she’d won the lottery. “That’s right, cuz. Show her who’s boss.”

 

Curt was doubled over now, laughing so hard his belly shook the table. “Y’all gonna break the damn tree. Calm your furry asses down.”

 

Before I could nudge Lechandray back to her senses, a sharp voice cut through the chaos. “What in the name of Questorian’s moons is this nonsense?” Elder Amer stood at the edge of the clearing, her wiry frame radiating disapproval, her nose twitching like it was personally offended.

 

Lechandray and I froze, her wolf still half-pinned under me. Keiral yelped, ducking behind Curt. In a blink, I shifted back, my black fur melting away until I was just Lyn again, brushing grass off my butt. Lechandray followed, her grey wolf shrinking into her human form, her smirk barely hidden. We both stood there, looking like kids caught stealing pie.