Chapter 128 We Might Have A Problem
Kira’s POV
Oh, goodness! Why can’t I get it right?
I steadied my breath and tried so hard to concentrate. ‘Okay, Leah. Shift back. Now.’
I squeezed my eyes shut so hard I saw stars. Picture hands. Picture face. Picture feet. Human Kira. Curvy, brown-eyed, naked human Kira in Abby’s body. Come on, come on—
Nothing. Not even a tingle. I was still massive white wolf, paws planted in the dirt, tongue lolling like an idiot, drool still dripping onto Miranda’s unconscious face.
‘Why is this so hard for you?’ Leah asked, sounding genuinely baffled. ‘Pups who get their wolves at twelve do this without breaking a sweat. One blink and boom…back to being human. What’s your deal?’
I snapped my jaws in frustration. ‘Oh I’m sorry, Miss Perfect Timing! At least their wolves showed up when they were supposed to! Where the hell have you been? Napping in some wolf heaven, sipping margaritas and ignoring me since? I’ve been searching for you in places, remember?’
‘Hey, I was busy trying to awaken, drama queen.’
Victoria was full-on spiraling beside me, hands flapping like she was trying to swat invisible bees.
“Princess…oh my Goddess…the King is going to kill me! He’s already on his way, I can hear the SUVs! I cannot be caught with a giant white wolf wandering around a human town! Do you know what that looks like on the news? What if they capture you and lock you up in some madman science lab?’”
Good lord. She’s panicking more than I am.
Inside my head I whined at Leah, ‘Screw it. Let’s just run for it.’
‘Run for it?’ Leah barked a laugh. ‘Didn’t we just barely escape becoming hunter kebabs a few hours ago after we made a run for it? You’re the most reckless creature I’ve ever been stuck inside, and I’ve lived through your high-school cafeteria food phase.’
High-school?
I’m confused… Has she been inside me all along? How come? Does this mean I’ve been one of them all along? But my mother was human… What is going on? What am I missing?
I was startled just then as Victoria grabbed a fistful of my fluffy white scruff and started dragging me backward toward the tree line.
“Come on, come on, into the shade! We have to hide for now. If anyone sees you we’re both dead. The King will have my head on a spike if we fall into the wrong hands!”
Leah’s voice went all teacher-mode. ‘This is literally the simplest thing ever, Kira. Close your eyes, imagine your body…arms, legs, that ridiculous ponytail…and just…slip back in. Like putting on your favorite hoodie.’
‘If it’s so easy,’ I growled back, ‘then you close your eyes and imagine my body and shift us back, smartass!’
‘That’s not how this works and you know it!’ She responded.
‘Well maybe if you’d shown up earlier I’d be better at it!’ I shot back.
‘Maybe if you stopped arguing and focused…’
‘You focus!’ I snapped at her.
‘No, you!’ She snapped right back at me.
We were still bickering like an old married couple when the most ridiculous, mouth-watering, panty-melting scent slammed into me like a truck. Pine, smoke, and pure alpha male. Oh no.
Adrian.
Nope. I’m outta here.
I spun so fast my tail whacked Victoria in the face. He’s gonna scold me and I am not in the mood for lectures right now.
I bolted.
Straight into a pair of very long, very familiar legs.
I skidded, nose planting right against Adrian’s black combat boots.
He looked down at me…huge white wolf panting like I’d just run a marathon…and let out the world’s longest, most exhausted groan.
He dragged a hand through his hair, messing it up in that unfairly hot way. “What am I going to do with you? Why don’t you ever listen?”
Internally I had the perfect comeback… Maybe stop being so controlling and I’ll start obeying me, Your Majesty.
Externally? I just stared at a very interesting patch of grass to my left. Super casual. Totally innocent wolf here.
He reached down, big hands aiming for my scruff but I dodged. It was a playful little side-step, my tail was wagging before I could stop it.
‘Oh this is fun. It’s like a puppy playing with its owner!’
‘Stop calling us a puppy!’ Leah hissed.
Adrian’s eyes lit up…actually lit up…like this was the best game he’d played all year.
He lunged again. I darted left, then right, kicking up dirt, tail going a million miles an hour.
He was fast for a human, but I was faster, and every time he missed I felt this stupid little spark of joy bubble up.
He was breathing hard now, chest heaving, but he wasn’t mad. Not even a little. He was grinning…full, bright, stupidly happy grin…like chasing me around a field at night was the highlight of his century.
It actually pained me at first. This wasn’t the initial plan. I wanted to frustrate him. Annoy him. Make him growl in anger. Not… this. Not the soft, fond look that made my wolf heart do cartwheels.
One final leap and he caught me mid-dash, arms wrapping around my furry middle like I was a giant plush toy.
He lifted me clean off the ground…effortless…and tucked me against his chest. “Playtime’s over, you naughty girl.” His voice was low, warm, and way too amused. “Let’s get you inside.”
I huffed, but I didn’t fight. Not really. His scent was everywhere and my stupid wolf brain just melted into it.
He carried me bridal-style…again…across the field toward a sleek black SUV waiting at the edge with the door already open.
Victoria trailed behind us, probably muttering prayers to the Goddess under her breath.
Just as we zoomed off into the night, tires squealing, I twisted in Adrian’s lap and peeked through the tinted back window.
There she was…Miranda, still sprawled in the dirt like discarded trash, unconscious and covered in wolf drool.
I hope the first people who will find her are the worst kind. The kind who’d teach her exactly what it felt like to be powerless.
Karma’s a bitch.
And tonight? So was I.