MasukLeera POVI sit on the log, staring out at the clearing in complete and total shock at the giant, steaming pile of shit my life has become in the last year.I feel like one of those cartoon waitresses trying to get back to the kitchen with the dirty dishes, but people just keep throwing more on the pile. Now, instead of just trying to get to the kitchen, I have to get there without dropping or breaking anything.I was slightly terrified yet so excited for my first shift. It felt otherworldly to be united with my wolf.Until it all came crashing down. Again.Because that's what my life does.I should be enjoying my wolf. Running with ROMAN and the men. Nope. Not me.I find out I'm some twisted Twilight version of Rapunzel.I guess in some ways it took an item off of my life-stuff-to-figure-out list, but now that adds more questions as well.I know who my birth parents are, but I'm no closer to knowing how the parents that raised me came to have me in their possession. We also don't kno
Roman POVShe is the single most magnificent creature I have ever seen, but I’m in such a state of shock that I can’t even properly convey that to her.Now she seems upset with me as I all but drag Andrei across the clearing so we can privately discuss what the fuck just happened.Leera has her tail tucked between her legs like she’s done something wrong.“Leera, baby, it’s not you. You’re fucking perfect, but—”I pull my T-shirt off over my head as I move her toward the tree.“I need you to shift back for me for just a minute. We need to have a very important discussion. Then you can shift back and spend as much time with your wolf as you’d like.”She tilts her head at me, which I interpret to mean, And exactly how the fuck am I supposed to do that? No one told me.“You focus on your body and will yourself back into your human form.”“You can tell your wolf to, and she’ll help.”She plants her front paws in preparation and narrows her eyes in concentration.She shifts flawlessly, but
Leera POVThey pout in jest and kick rocks like scolded children.The kids and pups scurry to the tables, some dragging their mothers, and begin making plates. A couple of them try to woo their parents into letting them have dessert first.Roman comes up to my side, and I lean into him, just taking it all in.“I love it here,” I tell him breathlessly. “Your pack, the land—it feels like the real world, except none of my problems can reach us here.”He wraps one arm around me, pulling me closer, and kisses the top of my head.“I’ve always felt at peace here, but nothing compares to being here with you.”I turn into him, resting my hand on his heart.“I’m beginning to understand that my peace seems to be wherever you are.”Just as I lean in to kiss him, Benny pops out from behind Roman.“New guy seems okay, yeah?”He’s smiling like he knows exactly what he just did, and he narrowly dodges a smack to the back of the head.“Gotta be quicker than that, old man!”“Can we eat now? I’m starved
Leera POVWe’ve spent all day helping the pack prepare for tonight, and we’re about an hour away from beginning the acceptance ceremony for the new wolf.We met and spoke with him earlier, and he seemed really nice. He was raised in a pack in the south, but when their alpha passed without an heir, it tore the pack apart. Friends and brothers turned on each other, so he made his way north. When he heard of Roman’s pack, he continued his journey here.I have never seen so much food in one place in my life.It makes sense, though. I’ve seen how much food six of them can eat—I can’t imagine cooking for an entire pack every day.The wood the men collected for the bonfire is stacked in a teepee shape that’s taller than me in the center of the rock circle we saw when we first arrived. With the wood piled that high, that bonfire is going to be humongous.I’m starting to get a bit jittery from nerves, but I keep reminding myself how worth it this will be.It almost feels like the jitters aren’
Roman POVSeeing her here, on our land, among our pack, is a moment I will tuck away and save forever. The awe written all over her face when we arrived filled me with a sense of pride I haven't felt in a very long time.I've always cared for my pack and what we built here, but I don't think I've truly allowed myself to enjoy it—or take credit for it—in years. My arranged marriage caused more unhappiness than I even realized. I only brought her here a few times because she hated it so much. All she did was complain. She never saw the beauty in our land or our people.To avoid those feelings, I unfortunately avoided my pack too.What’s that thing I heard those human men say once? “Hindsight is always twenty-twenty?” Or something like that. It’s incredibly true—and humbling.As the pack comes forward to greet us, I see the flicker of fear on Leera's face, but I don’t acknowledge it. I know everyone will love her. They won’t even be able to help it. She’ll smile or laugh, and they’ll bec
Leera POVToday is the day.The day my life will change forever.I mean, don't get me wrong, this last year has irrevocably changed me in more ways than I care to discuss, but today is on a totally different level.Tonight, to be exact.Tonight, my body will totally transfigure into the body of a wolf. My wolf. My soul. If only people really knew some of us actually do have spirit animals.I asked Roman what the full moon ceremony usually looks like so that I know what to expect.He let me know that tonight will be a special ceremony. In addition to any other wolves that will experience their first shift, there is also a new wolf wanting to join the pack, which is a separate process that will take place as the sun sets.We're on the way now—just Roman, Miss Tilly, Elder Meredith, and me, along with all of our luggage. The rest of the guys chose to make a nice long run of it in their wolf forms after they dropped India off at the airport.When we arrive, I will be introduced to the pac







