Chapter 15: The First Shift

We got back to the gym an hour later.

The whole pack was waiting. They surrounded us when we walked in.

"What happened?" Stacey asked.

"Brian's being held for evaluation. The detective is investigating the abuse." I took a breath. "But my mother's threatening to have me committed if I don't drop everything and go home."

Angry sounds went through the group.

"She can't do that," Marcus said.

"She can if she has a doctor to sign off," Andres said. "And it sounds like she does."

"Then we fight it in court," Alex said.

"With what lawyer? What money?" I felt tired. "My mother controls everything. My trust fund. My college money. All of it."

"We'll figure it out," Cole said. "Right now, you need rest."

He was right. I was exhausted.

"Come on." Stacey took my arm. "Let's get you upstairs."

I followed her to my room. Sat on the bed.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I don't know. Everything's falling apart."

"Or coming together." She sat next to me. "You're free of Brian. The cops know he's dangerous. Now you can move forward."

"Move forward to what? Being committed? Losing everything?"

"To having a real family. A real life." She looked serious. "The pack takes care of its own. You're not alone anymore."

After she left, I lay down. Stared at the ceiling.

My phone buzzed. A text from a number I didn't know.

This isn't over. You think the cops can protect you? I'll destroy all of you. Starting with your precious Alpha.

Brian. He must have gotten a phone.

I should tell Cole.

But I was too tired.

I closed my eyes. Just for a second.

And fell into darkness.

I was running through woods. Fast. Faster than ever before.

My body felt different. Stronger.

I looked down and saw paws instead of hands. Fur instead of skin.

I was a wolf.

It should have scared me. But it felt right. Natural.

Like coming home.

I ran faster. Following a scent I needed to find.

Then I saw him. Cole. In wolf form. Massive with dark fur.

He turned to look at me. Same dark brown eyes.

Mate, a voice said in my head. His voice.

Mate, I agreed.

He moved toward me. Gentle despite his size.

Then the dream changed.

I was human again. In a dark room. Cold.

My mother stood over me. "You're sick, Lita. You need help."

"I'm not sick!"

"The doctor says otherwise." She held up a needle. "This will help you forget. Forget the gym. Forget those people."

"No!" I tried to move but was strapped down.

"It's for your own good."

The needle came closer.

I screamed.

I woke up gasping. Covered in sweat.

My whole body hurt. Like my bones were trying to break through my skin.

I stumbled to the bathroom. Turned on the light.

My reflection shocked me.

My eyes were glowing. Faint green color.

My nails were longer. Sharper.

"No," I whispered.

Pain shot through me. Worse than before.

I fell to my knees.

My bones were moving. Shifting.

I was changing.

Terror hit me. I didn't know how to stop this.

The door burst open.

Cole stood there. He looked at me and his eyes went wide.

"You're shifting."

"I can't. I don't know how!" Panic made my voice high.

He knelt beside me. "Look at me."

I met his eyes.

"Breathe. Slow and steady. You can control this."

"I can't!"

"Yes, you can. The wolf is part of you. But you're in control." His voice was calm. "Breathe with me. In. Out."

I tried to follow. In. Out.

Slowly, the pain stopped. My bones stopped moving.

I looked at my hands. Nails were getting shorter.

My eyes stopped glowing.

"What's happening to me?" I asked.

"Your wolf is waking up. The stress today triggered it."

"I'm really a wolf? Like you?"

"Yes. From your mother's bloodline. James had it. So do you."

I sat back against the wall. "This is crazy."

"I know. But you'll be okay. I'll help you."

"How? I don't know anything about this."

"You'll learn. We all did." He held out his hand. "Can you stand?"

I took it. Let him pull me up.

My legs shook but held.

"We should tell the others," he said.

"No. Not yet. I need time."

He looked at my face. Nodded. "Okay. But Lita, this changes things."

"How?"

"You're not just my mate anymore. You're pack. A wolf. That means you have rights. Protection under pack law."

"I don't understand."

"Your mother can't have you committed now. Not without going through the pack. And we won't let that happen."

Hope grew in my chest. "Really?"

"Really. You're one of us now." He touched my face. Gentle. "You're safe."

I wanted to believe him.

But then my phone rang.

Unknown number.

I answered without thinking.

"Hello?"

"Lita Dillard?" A man's voice. Official.

"Yes?"

"This is Officer Davidson. Brian Mitchell posted bail an hour ago. He's been released."

My blood went cold. "What? You said 72 hours."

"His lawyer got it reduced. I'm calling because he made threats against you. We issued a restraining order but be careful."

"What kind of threats?"

"He said 'She'll pay for this. All of them will pay.'"

The line went quiet.

Then a different voice came on.

Brian's voice.

"Hi, baby. Miss me?"

The phone went dead.

I looked at Cole. "Brian's out. And he has my number."

Cole's eyes went black.

"Get everyone up. Now." His voice was pure command. "We're going on lockdown."

"What does that mean?"

"It means we're at war."

Downstairs, alarms started going off.

The pack moved fast. Windows got covered. Doors locked. Weapons appeared.

Everyone moved with purpose. Like they'd trained for this.

Alex ran up the stairs. "Perimeter's been breached. Someone cut the fence on the east side."

"How many?" Cole asked.

"Don't know yet. Sensors picked up at least five heat signatures."

"Five humans or five wolves?"

"Can't tell. But they're coming fast."

Cole turned to me. "Get to the safe room. Now."

"What safe room?"

"Andres will show you." He looked at Andres who'd appeared. "Take her. Keep her safe."

"Cole, what's happening?"

"Brian brought friends." His eyes were black now. Claws out. "And they're here for you."

Downstairs, glass shattered.

Someone was breaking in.

The war had started.