Chapter 107

I dropped down next to her with a thump, “What?”

My mother smiled. “I should say my mother was the last pure Lycan, other than the king’s family. And I am three-quarters Lycan, as was half Lycan as well—a secret his line has kept almost as well as your father’s magic.” She looked over at me. “You are a little muddled. I don’t know if you have enough Lycan in you to have one.”

“Have a Lycan?”

“Yeah. So Lycans have a bigger wolf, and a wolfman form. But mixed Lycans, well, they are blessed with two wolves…”

“Two wolves?”

“Yeah. One that is their Lycan, and their normal wolf. They inherit both wolves.” My mom shifted to her large brown wolf, and then into a smaller grey wolf, then back to herself. She panted as she settled back down on her knees. “It’s also why we keep our clothing. A gift passed down the Lycan line. But when the Lycans were hunted, they spread the rumor that any wolf strong enough could keep their clothing.”

“I’m Lycan…”

“Well, partly, yes, but you wouldn’t be considered a Lycan unless you had both forms.” She looked over at me. “Do you have two wolves?”

I looked at her and allowed Nix to come forward; the shift was becoming quicker. Once Nix was fully formed, I turned to Megan. “Are you ready?”

“Truly?”

I laughed and pushed her forward. “It’s just for a moment, but I made you a promise and I intend to keep it.” Our next shift was slower. Black fur rippled to grey, and I felt my bones shift and shrink. After a few minutes we sat on our haunches, trembling.

“And who are you?” My mother’s eyes glittered in the firelight.

“Megan…” Megan finally stood, and I could tell that we stood no taller than any other wolf, maybe even smaller. “My name is Megan.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful wolf.” My mom ran her fingers through her fur. “You are her wolf form, I’m guessing?” Megan gave her version of a nod.

“I’m a gamma.”

“Still a good rank for a luna.” My mother smiled and booped Megan’s nose. “Don’t think for a second you are any less than because you are weaker than her Lycan. My wolf is unranked, and even so, I love her more than anything. And I know Amy loves you as well.”

“I know she does.” Megan preened under her words. “As soon as she found me, she has always listened.”

“Found you? What do you mean?” It was my time to explain some things. And I pushed forward.

I shifted and sat next to her, panting. “You. Shifting so many times this close together is hate!” I looked around the cabin. “Is it safe to talk here?”

She nodded. “My father made sure this was a safe place for my mother to raise me. We had a lot to discuss, you could say.”

I took a deep breath. “Mom, I guess it’s my time to be honest.” The whistle of the kettle scared me, but she took it off the fire and poured water into the cups. She randomly had tea bags, and I lifted my brow.

“I stock this place every few months. I spend a lot of time here if I can.” I nodded in understanding. “But what do you need to tell me?”

“You know daddy’s grandmother was a witch—a human with powers, right?”

“Yeah. Your father told me about her. She sounded amazing.” My mother handed me a cup of tea and motioned for me to continue.

“Well, what daddy didn’t tell you is that if the Goddess blesses us, then as wolves we can have our powers too.”

“Your father had powers?”

“Yes…”

“What can your powers do?” She looked at me and took a sip of her tea.

“A lot. Anything, really.” I looked into the fire. “It can help change my scent. It can make someone infatuated with another.”

“Can it fake mating betrayal pain?” Her words were soft. I refused to meet her eyes when I answered.

“Yes.” My answer was soft as I heard her intake of breath.

“Why would he do it?” I turned to see her hands trembling.

“Because there is something else our line does for us.” I grabbed her cup and put it on the ground.

“What?”

“Remember on my birthday? How I woke up and was acting different, weird even?”

“Yes.”

“I lived another life. One where I lived until I was twenty-four. I was mated to Brandon, and I was pregnant with my son. Shannon convinced him I cheated, and he killed me and my pup. I woke up six years in the past, goddess-bent on changing my fate. And then I saw you alive again and I broke down.”