Chapter 13 – Breaking Open

The private yard felt different that afternoon. It felt smaller and hotter like the air was waiting for something to happen.

Damon did not waste time talking. He just nodded once stepped back and said " shift, no holding back."

I looked at him. "You are sure?"

He said "I am sure." His voice was steady. His eyes were not. There was something in them like fear but not for himself for me. "If you cannot do it here with me you will not do it when they come."

My stomach felt weird. He was right. The scouts were dead. More were coming. The burned mark on their chests was not a warning anymore it was a promise.

I took a breath. I nodded.

I said "Okay."

I stepped into the center of the yard. I closed my eyes. I felt the wolf come out away no waiting, no trying. She was there pushing against my skin like she was waiting for permission.

I did not fight her.

I let her out.

The first change was like a punch to my chest. My bones broke it was loud. It hurt. Not like the time this was real breaking and reforming. The pain was fast and bright I almost screamed. My knees buckled,. I caught myself. My claws dug into the dirt my teeth got sharp my back arched as fur, white fur came out on my skin.

The light came out fast. It was not just coming out it was exploding. It was white and hot and bright it hurt with my eyes closed. I felt the magic from my parents break really break. There was one try to stop it then nothing.

It was quiet inside me.

Then I felt her, my wolf. She was fully me.

I opened my eyes.

Everything looked different. It was sharper colors were brighter smells were stronger. Damons smell hit me it was like a wave, pine and smoke and sweat and fear and pride and want all mixed together it was strong.

I took a step I had four legs, paws, claws in the earth.

I was big bigger than I thought. My white fur was shining like snow in the moonlight. My tail was low my ears were forward my eyes were on Damon.

He did not move he just looked at me. He was breathing hard his hands were loose.

He whispered "Isla."

I took another step, another slow, testing. My wolf wanted to run wanted to scream wanted to jump at him and roll in his smell.

But I did not I held back.

Damon got down on one knee, careful like he was looking at something wild and special.

He said "You did it." His voice was rough thick. "You really did it."

I put my head down I touched his shoulder with my nose. His hand came up slow and went into my fur.

It was warm, solid safe.

The bond between us was strong it was not a string it was a river, deep and fast and alive.

I felt him, not just the surface, the underneath, the guilt, the fear, the want.

I felt it all. I did not hate him for it.

I changed back without thinking my bones broke again less painful this time. My fur went away the light was not so bright. I was on my knees in front of him human again naked, sweating, shaking.

He caught me before I fell his arms were around me strong steady.

He said "You are okay."

I nodded against his chest I could not talk my throat was too tight.

He pulled back looked at me his hands were on my face his thumbs were on my cheeks.

He said "You are beautiful." His voice was broken. "In either form you are beautiful."

I laughed, short shaky. "You are crazy."

He said "Yes." He put his forehead against mine. ". I am your crazy now."

The bond was warm bright strong.

I kissed him not angry, not desperate, real slow deep. His hands were, on my back holding me like I might disappear.

When we stopped kissing we were both breathing hard he put his forehead against mine again.

He said "They are coming."

I said "I know."

He said "We fight together."

I nodded.

I said "No more hiding."

He said "No more hiding."

He helped me stand he put his cloak around me he kept his arm around my shoulders as we walked inside.

The pack did not know yet not fully.

They would soon.

When they saw what I really was when the enemies came out of the shadows we would be ready.

Because the wolfless omega was gone.

The White Wolf was finally awake.