Chapter Thirty-Eight

“What is it?” I turned back to face my dad, and he was grimacing.

“This isn’t going to be comfortable, but it only has to happen tonight.” He hedged his words, and I just gestured for him to go on. “Ronnie has to sleep in your room tonight.”

“What?”

“What?” both of us screamed.

“The last test is you keeping your scent changed while you are sleeping. Ronnie needs to be close enough to keep track.” My dad pointed to Ronnie, who groaned.

“I have to be up all night, don’t I?” My dad nodded and he groaned again.

“But you will have tomorrow off to recoup and sleep, and I’ll have Beck with me.” My dad clapped his shoulder, and he dropped his head.

“I’m going to go nap then.” Ronnie waved and left the room after my father nodded.

“You can go. Keep your scent covered all day.”

“Okay. What’s next if I’m able to hold it during sleep?”

My father grinned. “Shifting.”

I widened my eyes. “What? Really?”

“You are ready. Nix and Loki have talked about it, and she is ready. She is just waiting to ensure you are safe. So once we know you can cover yourself, then we can work on shifting.”

I jumped into his arms, and he laughed. “Oh my goddess.” I could feel tears choke me, and my dad pulled back and cupped my cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just so happy.” I smiled up at him and rubbed my cheek against his. “Thank you, daddy.”

“Anything for you, my pup.” My dad kissed my head and then turned me around. “Now go, you need to eat. Hold off on the wolfsbane still. Once we have you shifting, you can get back on it.” I nodded and ran out of the room.

“Did you hear that, Nix?”

Of course. Her voice was a soft brush against my mind. I’ve been ready since you balanced your power, but this is important.

“I know. We need to protect ourselves from Brandon.” I shivered as the thought of him standing over me while the doctor cut into me flashed through my mind. “He might not have done it this time yet, but I will never forgive him for killing our pup.”

The man doesn’t deserve forgiveness. His soul is as black as my fur. His wolf even agreed with him and his mistreatment of us.

Megan walked a little closer. Were you serious about me shifting too?

“Of course. Nix isn’t my only wolf.” I whispered as I entered my room. “You will come out as well. Why?”

I’ve been thinking. Megan’s voice was a little louder, stronger. Nix will be your main shift. The one everyone will see. And before you say anything, she has to be. She is the alpha and needs to be out more than me. But I can be useful.

“You don’t have to be useful for me to want you to shift, but what are you talking about?”

When you need to spy…or run away…or not be caught, you can shift into me and do what you need to do. I’m not an alpha, so no one will ever suspect it is you. I look different from Nix, and my scent is different. Even if I am seen or caught, you can wait until the coast is clear and get away and shift into her, and I would disappear as if I was never there.

Her words struck a chord deep inside of me. “That is genius.” I changed into workout clothes before I headed down to have lunch. “No one will ever know.”

“Know what?” I shrieked and wheeled to face Cass, my hand clutching my chest.

“What the actual heck, Cass? You scared the crap out of me.” She raised her hands and laughed a little.

“How was I supposed to know you didn’t hear me? You always hear me.”

“I was talking to Nix.” I wrapped my arm in hers and pulled her to grab food.

“Must have been important.” She grabbed a plate and filled hers next to me, and I did the same.

“It is. I just had an epiphany.” I grabbed a few steaks, and Cass just laughed at me.

“Hungry?”

“Starved.” We grabbed a seat. “You excited about training today?”

“I am.” She bounced as she dug into her food. “I think I’m going to shift soon.”

“That’s exciting. Your birthday is in a few days, so it’s possible.” Cass groaned as I pointed my fork at her. “What?”

“Don’t remind me.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My birthday. I can find my mate and that is all my mother has been on about, but I just want to focus on training. This has become important to me.”

“You can do both,” I pointed out, but she shook her head.

“Not according to my mom. I’ll mate and have to have babies right away.” Cass looked away. “But I want to become a warrior, though.”