“Good morning grams”. I greeted her groggily as I sat up on the wooden bench.“Good morning my dear”. She replied with her back facing me as she filled two cups with hot water.“It feels so bizarre waking up to see you”. “I feel the same”. She said, turning around to hand me one of the cups. “I’ve put more herbs in it again. It’ll help your wound, everything in there is very good for you”. “Thank you”. I replied with a tired smile as I took the cup. “What is this place anyway, grams? Last night, I saw other people here. Who were they?” “I’ll tell you everything soon enough. But first I want you to tell me what you know about these rogues that attacked Whitlock”. “I don’t really know much actually”. I told her with a sigh. “It’s the second attack we’ve had in the space of a few weeks. When the first attack happened, there weren’t many of them. The second time, there were more, but Leo said they were quite weak, easy to take down. He seems to think the pack is being tested”. “Teste

“ENOUGH! IT’S NOT WORKING”. I shouted in frustration to grams and Dante. We’d been doing this for a week now and so far there had been no sign of my wolf. “You just want to give up, do you? Like you gave up on your pack when you ran away!”. She goaded just as she had been for the past three days. “I didn’t give up! I wanted to go back!”. I replied defensively. “Oh, of course you did. If you say so, Raven, then I guess it must be true”. “Stop it grams!”. I said looking at her with warning. “Why, Raven? Can you honestly say you put up much of a fight or protest to go back?”. “I was scared grams!”. “Yes, scared of everything! Scared of being everything you’re meant to be! Or do you enjoy being on the end of everyone’s insults?” “That’s enough now, you’re going too far!”. “Me? You’re the one who told me you felt as though you let your family down! Is that it, Raven? You’re so comfortable with that idea, you have no interest on being true to yourself?” “I’ve always been true

When we had returned to camp, I could see that grams was itching to ask me questions, but I took my serving of food and ate alone in my cabin, before going to sleep. Every night I had thought of them, but last night, I could see how sad and tired my father had looked. He was always so strong, capable and I always felt safe when he was home, but yesterday he looked as though he had no fight left in him. I kept telling myself not to get too hopeful that it was my mother Izzy had seen, but ohh… how I kept wishing and hoping it was! At least then father wasn’t handling everything alone, although him even leaving the house suggested mother was alive and well. I knew for sure, he’d keep himself locked up and isolated in the house, if she had died in the fire. The only person neither of us had seen, was my uncle. I ached with how much I just wanted to be back in the house with them, even if it was on a bad day dealing with one of uncle’s episodes, I didn’t care, I’d take it, as long as I wa

My mind was on overdrive as I roughly bonded two long planks of wood together for the new cabin. I was tired, furious and I kept picturing Violet on the night of the fire. That girl has got some damn good acting skills, I really believed her that night, she just looked so genuinely scared for me, and I felt like the biggest fool to have ever listened to her and trusted she wanted to help me. Everything about that night just wouldn’t stop flashing though my mind no matter what I did to try and distract myself. The mood I was in was certainly clear, it must be so evident on my face, as everyone kept their distance and gave me some space. Even when we walked back to camp yesterday, Neither Izzy, Dante or Zach said anything as I stomped along in silence. The urge to tear her apart was bubbling inside of me, and I’d even fantasize about doing it. What she had said was true though, and that’s what worried me even more. My father had been at Caleb’s side for so many years now, his best guard

“That felt easier!”. I said to Dante as I quickly covered myself with a blanket. “You can turn around now”. I told him as he had his back to me, so that he wouldn’t see me naked. “You’re shifting a lot quicker now”. He acknowledged, turning round to face me. “How is your body feeling?” “Umm… I definitely don’t feel as tired, and my legs feel fine”. “That’s great, Raven. Considering how many times you’ve had to shift, you don’t seem fed up yet”. “I’ll take this over the training grams was giving me”. I chuckled as Dante handed me some food he had bought with him. “It might have been exhausting but it’s gotten you to this far”. He pointed out as we both sat next to each other on the grass. “True! Honestly Dante, I really thought it was all a waste of time. I still can’t believe it worked, and I have a wolf now!.... I.have.a.wolf!”. I smiled widely. “And a strong one at that!. Seriously, Raven, your wolf is remarkable”. “Thank you!”. I chirped. “The emotions and the strength I