Breaking Free

The howl outside the pack house slices through me, sharp and chilling, as the fire in my chest explodes. I’m doubled over, clutching my ribs, the growl in my throat turning into a snarl I can’t control. The room spins wooden walls, leather couches, the glow of Jeanine’s hands over Roman all of it blurs as my body feels like it’s tearing apart. My claws dig into my palms, drawing blood, and my vision flickers, colors too bright, then too dark. Roman’s voice, faint and desperate, anchors me. “Leera… hold on…”

“I can’t!” I gasp, my voice raw. The pain’s like nothing I’ve ever felt, not even after the car accident that took Mom and Dad. Zoey’s scream echoes, her hands grabbing my shoulders.

“Leera, what’s happening?” she cries, her curls wild, her eyes wide with panic. “You’re scaring me!”

“I don’t know!” I choke out, my knees buckling. The snarl grows louder, my wolf God, my *wolf* clawing to break free. It’s real. Roman was right. I’m not human.

Jeanine’s voice cuts through, calm but urgent. “Leera, breathe. Your wolf’s waking. Let it happen.”

“Let it?” I snap, glaring at her. Her white hair glows under the lantern light, her hands still working on Roman’s wounds. “It’s tearing me apart!”

“It’s not,” she says, her eyes meeting mine, steady. “You’re fighting it. Relax. Trust your wolf.”

“Trust it?” I laugh, bitter, the sound morphing into a growl. My nails claws scrape the floor as I grip the couch. “I didn’t even know I had one!”

Roman stirs, his mismatched eyes finding me. His face is pale, but his voice is stronger. “Leera, you’re strong. Stronger than you know. Let her out.”

“Her?” I ask, my breath hitching. The pain surges, a burning wave, and my vision shifts again. I see every detail Benny’s tense jaw, Andrei’s clenched fists, Slate’s knife glinting in his hand. The howl outside sounds closer, joined by another, low and menacing.

“They’re coming,” Slate says, his voice tight. He’s at the window, peering into the dark. “India and at least one other. Maybe Khas.”

“Khas didn’t attack,” Benny says, his arms crossed. “He’s playing his own game.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Andrei growls, cracking his knuckles. “They’re not getting in.”

Zoey’s still holding me, her grip shaky. “Leera, you’re… glowing. Your eyes. They’re like Roman’s.”

I catch my reflection in a glass frame on the wall. My eyes are gold, bright, inhuman. My heart races, but the pain shifts, less like breaking and more like… stretching. My wolf’s there, in my mind, a presence both fierce and warm. She wants out. She wants to fight.

“Leera,” Roman says, sitting up with Jeanine’s help. His arms bandaged, the wolfsbane’s stench fading. “You can do this. I’m here.”

I nod, my throat tight. His presence, his scent of pine and earth calms the fire in my chest. The mate bond hums, steadying me. “Okay,” I whisper. “Okay.”

Jeanine kneels beside me, her hand on my shoulder. “Picture your wolf. Silver, like your hair. Let her guide you.”

I close my eyes, the howls outside growing louder. My wolf’s image forms sleek, silver fur, icy eyes, powerful but graceful. She’s me, but wilder. The pain eases, replaced by a rush of strength. My bones shift, my muscles stretch, and I gasp, falling forward. Fur prickles my skin, soft and warm. My hands paws hit the floor, claws clicking.

“Holy crap,” Zoey breathes, stumbling back. “Leera, you’re… a wolf.”

I try to speak, but a low whine escapes instead. My senses explode as the pack house smells of wood, sweat, and Roman’s blood. The howls outside are clear now, two wolves, circling closer. India’s voice carries through the walls, sharp and taunting.

“Roman! You can’t hide her forever!” she calls. “She’s mine!”

My wolf snarls, the sound vibrating through me. I want to tear her apart. Roman’s hand finds my fur, his touch grounding me. “Easy,” he murmurs. “Not yet.”

I snap my jaws, frustrated. My wolf’s instincts scream to fight, but Roman’s voice keeps me tethered. I nudge his hand, my whine softening.

“She’s beautiful,” Benny says, his voice awed. “Silver. Like the moon.”

“Focus,” Jeanine snaps, standing. “They’re at the door. Slate, Andrei, block it.”

The pack moves, Andrei and Slate barring the entrance. The door rattles, a heavy thud shaking the frame. India’s laugh echoes again. “You think wood will stop me?”

“Try it,” Andrei growls, his massive frame braced. “I’ll break you.”

I pace, my paws silent on the floor. My wolf’s restless, but Roman’s touch keeps me steady. “Leera,” he says, his voice low. “You’re not ready to fight. Stay with me.”

I whine, shaking my head. My wolf disagrees she’s ready, and so am I. India hurt him. She’s coming for me. I won’t hide.

“Leera, listen,” Zoey says, kneeling beside me. Her hands hover, like she’s afraid to touch me. “This is crazy, but… you’re still you, right?”

I nod, my wolf’s head heavy but sure. I’m still Leera, just… more. The bond with Roman pulses, stronger now, like a heartbeat tying us together.

Jeanine pulls another vial from her bag, her eyes on the door. “Roman, you’re stable, but weak. Leera’s shift is new. She’s strong, but uncontrolled. We need to get you both out.”

“Out?” Roman frowns, standing shakily. “This is our territory.”

“And India knows it,” Jeanine says. “She’s not alone. I smell at least three wolves now.”

“Three?” Benny’s eyes narrow. “Khas and who else?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Slate says, his knife ready. “We hold the line.”

The door splinters, wood cracking as a massive paw breaks through. My wolf snarls, hackles rising. Roman steps in front of me, his own growl low. “Stay back, Leera.”

“No,” I try to say, but it’s a bark, sharp and defiant. My wolf’s in control now, and she’s not backing down.

“Leera, please,” Roman says, his mismatched eyes pleading. “I can’t lose you.”

His words hit hard, the bond flaring with his fear, his need. I hesitate, my wolf whining, torn between fighting and protecting him. Another thud shakes the door, and India’s voice rings out. “Time’s up, Roman!”

Jeanine grabs my scruff, her grip firm. “Leera, we’re moving. There’s a back exit. Roman, with me.”

“No way,” Zoey says, her voice trembling but firm. “I’m not leaving her.”

“You’re human,” Jeanine says, her tone sharp. “You’ll slow us down.”

“She’s my friend,” Zoey snaps, her hands on her hips. “I’m coming.”

The door explodes inward, wood flying. India strides in, her green eyes glowing, her lean frame half-shifted, claws extended. Two wolves flank her, their fur dark, eyes glinting. Khas isn’t with them. Where is he?

“Leera,” India purrs, her gaze locking on me. “Pretty wolf. Too bad you won’t live to enjoy it.”

I snarl, lunging forward, but Roman grabs my scruff, pulling me back. “Not yet,” he growls, his own claws extending.

Andrei and Slate charge, colliding with the two wolves in a blur of fur and teeth. Benny joins them, his growl shaking the room. Jeanine drags me toward a back hall, Roman stumbling beside her. Zoey follows, her phone clutched like a weapon.

“Leera, stay with me,” Roman says, his voice strained. “We’ll figure this out.”

I whine, my wolf fighting to turn back, to fight. The bond pulls me to him, but the fire in my chest wants blood. India’s laugh follows us, chilling my bones. “Run all you want,” she calls. “I’ll find you.”

We reach a back door, the forest dark beyond it. Jeanine shoves it open, the night air cold and sharp. My paws hit the ground, my senses alive pine, earth, the distant howl of another wolf. Khas? My wolf hesitates, confused.

“Move!” Jeanine hisses, pushing Roman forward. He’s leaning on her, his strength fading again. I nudge his side, urging him on, my wolf’s instincts screaming to protect him.

Zoey’s panting beside me, her eyes wide. “Leera, this is insane. You’re a wolf. A freaking wolf!”

I bark, soft, trying to reassure her. But the pain’s back, sharper now, my wolf’s strength fading. My legs wobble, and I stumble, my fur receding, skin prickling. I’m shifting back, human again, naked and shivering on the forest floor.

“Leera!” Roman drops to his knees beside me, pulling off his jacket to cover me. His hands are warm, his scent grounding me. “You’re okay. You did it.”

“Did what?” I gasp, my voice hoarse. My body aches, my mind reeling. “I’m… I’m a wolf?”

“You are,” he says, his eyes soft but fierce. “My mate.”

Before I can answer, a shadow moves in the trees. A low growl rumbles, not India’s. Khas steps into the moonlight, his grey eyes glowing. “Leera,” he says, his voice low. “We need to talk. Now.”

Roman snarls, stepping in front of me, but my vision blurs, the pain spiking again. My wolf’s still there, clawing, but something’s wrong. A sharp scent of wolfsbane hits my nose, and my body locks up, a scream trapped in my throat. Khas lunges, not for Roman, but for me, his hands glowing with a strange light. Roman roars, but the world fades, and all I hear is Khan's voice, soft and urgent. “You’re not safe, Leera. Not with him.”