The wolf’s muzzle wrinkled, and he growled softly, but Chloe eyed him sternly. “Change, Marcus, I mean it.”
He chuffed, sounding resigned. She set down the sweat pants and turned her back. She didn’t let herself hold her breath, but inside she quaked. If this didn’t work—if they had to bring him before the Alphas with only her word and her mother’s that it was Marcus—
A grunt issued from behind her.
In a surprisingly short time, a human hand reached for the sweatpants. When she turned, Marcus stood before her, a boy with ragged brown hair, wary eyes and a scarred chest.
“Good.” Chloe studied him critically. “You need a haircut, but that can wait. Clothes are more important.”
She and her mom had put their heads together and scrounged up a quilted winter vest. Chloe held it out to Marcus, but he refused to take it.
“Come on,” she coaxed. “You can leave it unzipped and shrug out of it in two seconds flat, but you need to look as normal as possible.” She lifted his hand and pushed it through the vest’s armhole. Marcus allowed her to slide the vest onto him, but he didn’t exactly help.
“Now, the most important thing: can you talk?”
He stared at her face with total attention, yet at the same time Chloe wasn’t sure he comprehended her.
“Try saying your name: I am Marcus Jennings.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He whined.
“It’s okay.” Chloe patted his arm. “Just keep trying. Maybe clear your throat.” She demonstrated.
He tilted his head to one side. Crap. There was a scar on his Adam’s apple. What if his voice box was damaged? She traced the raised line with her fingers. He stood perfectly still under her touch. “Is this why you can’t talk?”
No reply.
“I’d like my dad to take a look at this. Can I call him or will you freak out again?”
He tensed.
Chloe blew out an exasperated breath. “Okay, I get that you can’t talk, but you can still nod your head, right? There’s nothing wrong with those muscles?”
After a short pause, he shook his head.
“Will you let my dad examine you? I’ll stay here the whole time.”
He nodded, then shook his head.
“Does that mean you’re not sure?”
Nod.
Chloe bit her lip. It wasn’t worth the risk of Marcus going wolf again. “Okay, we’ll try later.”
Similarly, they walked over to the Frayne’s house together rather than risk a nervous werewolf panicking inside the confines of the SUV. Chloe led the way, Marcus silently followed. Her parents hung back another ten paces, giving them space.
Marcus’s feet were bare. He’d refused the pair of shoes her mother offered. “I’ll buy slip-on sandals the next time I’m in town,” her mother had said, frowning. But, honestly, he didn’t appear to notice either the coldness of the ground or the scattering of rough twigs and pebbles.
As the Alphas’ large bungalow came in sight, Chloe’s heartbeat picked up, drumming a rhythm in her throat. This ought to be her moment of triumph. She’d Changed and proven she wasn’t a Dud. Her place in the Pack was secure. She’d succeeded in bringing Marcus, thought lost forever, back to the Pack. But instead of jubilation, anxiety tightened her chest.
She no longer trusted the Alphas—and that was bad.
She didn’t know when they’d lost her respect. When they’d kept secret the extent of Olivia’s illness? When they hadn’t curbed the other teens and Coach from making her life hell? When they’d forced her to grovel without once asking why she’d taken Hyde?
Maybe all those things together.
Chloe hated the freefall feeling of not being able to depend on the Alphas. She hoped tonight would restore her faith in them, but in the meantime her muscles remained tense, ready to run.
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She laced her fingers through Marcus’s before stepping into the yard. “Okay, we’re going to take this slow and easy. Just remember, everyone here is part of our Pack. They’ll be happy to see you. Don’t spook. Don’t turn wolf. Stick close to me and nod or shake your head if people ask you questions. Got it?”
Marcus was staring at the house.
She cupped his chin and made him look at her, then repeated her instructions. “Got it?”
This time he nodded.
“We’ll be right here,” her father added from behind them. “You’re safe.”
Like the barbeque, Pack meetings were almost always held in the backyard around a blazing firepit. Because what true werewolf would want to be inside when they could be outside under the sky and moon? (Unless it was minus twenty or colder, then the Pack seemed willing enough to tolerate a roof.)
Though the autumn air was still five degrees above zero, Olivia was bundled up in a winter jacket, gloves and boots. At least she didn’t have a toque. Nathan hovered nearby, but she was standing instead of sitting in the padded patio chair.
Chloe’s family was the last to arrive. The Pack stared and murmured. She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at Dean, who kept blinking and shaking his head. Kyle had a huge grin on his face.
“Come forward.” Olivia beckoned.
Chloe squeezed Marcus’s hand and drew him forward.
A long moment passed as the Alpha pair studied him.
“So it’s true,” Olivia said, her face full of wonder. “Marcus Jennings, know that you are welcome back among your Pack.” She held out her hands.
Her graciousness eased Chloe, but Marcus didn’t budge. She elbowed him, and he laid his hands briefly on top of Olivia’s.
“I can see you’ve had a hard time of it and a long journey,” Olivia said softly. “What can you tell us about the crash?”
Marcus took a step back and glanced around nervously. Chloe reached for his hand.
Olivia’s expression grew puzzled. “I know it must be painful to talk about, but you must understand how anxious we are.”
Chloe’s heart lurched. She spoke up on his behalf. “He doesn’t talk. His throat was damaged in the crash. But he can answer yes or no questions,” she added quickly.
“Ah.” Olivia’s brow creased. “Marcus.” She waited until he met her Alpha gaze. “Are there any other survivors?”
Instead of nodding, Marcus threw back his head and howled. The mournful quality of his cry left no doubt as to his answer, but Coach muttered: “Damaged throat, my ass.”
Chloe’s nerves tightened. Marcus looked wild: howling like a wolf, barefoot, vest unzipped. The way the two Alphas were frowning sent prickles of dread up her spine.
She wrapped her arms around Marcus’s waist, soothing him until he stopped, then addressed the Alpha. “I’d say that’s a no.”
Coach stepped forward, and Marcus snarled at him. Great.
“He may have managed to Change back to a boy, but his mind obviously didn’t survive the trip. He’s still feral.” Coach glared at Marcus. “He’s dangerous and should be put down.”
Marcus lifted his lip, showing his teeth.
Don’t Change now. “Marcus, stop it.”
“He obviously has no control over his wolf,” Coach continued.
“Why? Because he doesn’t like you?” Chloe went on the offensive. “You put two bullets in him, and you’re a bully! I don’t like you either. Marcus Jennings was born to this Pack. You’re the Outsider.”
“Your father is an Outsider, too,” Judy said.
“My father has been part of this Pack for eighteen years; Coach has been here for only two,” Chloe protested.
But everyone was muttering now and closing in around Marcus, which only made him shake harder.
Chloe bared her own teeth. “Back off! Give him room!”
Olivia lifted her voice in echo. “Give him room!”
Marcus panted, his eyes flashing every which way, alert for threats. Chloe grabbed his chin. “Calm down. Everything is fine. Do not Change.”
He pulled i
n a deep, ragged breath. His shoulders stopped hunching, and he stood proudly at her side.
Nathan stepped forward. “Everyone but Marcus and the Graham family withdraw to the driveway.”
Coach stiffened, as if intending to ask to be included, but retreated under Nathan’s hard glare.
“We need to hear the full story,” Nathan said.
So Chloe told it all again from meeting the feral in the woods to how Marcus had been pulled along when Chloe Changed back.
Nathan shook his head when she finished. “I never heard the like.”
“Me either,” her dad said. “I think the Change may have hormonal triggers.”
Olivia fingered the crystal hanging around her throat. “So the feral’s Change into a boy may be a matter of instinct rather than will?”
Her dad looked up sharply. “I never said that. I’m speculating—”
She held up a hand. “Granted. However, please understand our position. We must take the welfare of the Pack as a whole into consideration. There has never been a case of a feral Changing back after so long in wolf form—that I know of. Rachel?”
Chloe’s mom shook her head. “I can’t recall anything, but I’d need to research it further and consult other historians before I can give you a definitive answer.”
Chloe tried not to feel betrayed. But, of course, her mother couldn’t lie to the Alpha.
Olivia continued, “He has the form of a boy, but right now his mind is still wolf. Still feral.”
“You can’t kill him!” Chloe burst out, horrified at where this was going.
The Alpha ignored her, and Chloe’s mom put a warning hand on her arm, meaning Don’t interrupt. Chloe quivered with suppressed fear and indignation on Marcus’s behalf.
“Curtis, you’re the medical expert,” Olivia said. “What do you think?”
Her dad spoke carefully. “If you’re asking me if the boy can be saved, I believe there’s a strong chance. It’s far too early, in my opinion, to make a medical decision.”
“He travelled so far. Please,” Chloe begged. Tears clogged her throat.
The Alpha’s gaze became distant. “Very well. Marcus was Pack. He deserves some time. We shall reconvene on the matter in one week and hope to see improvement.” Though she said ‘we,’ she didn’t consult with her husband.
“And if you don’t?” Chloe asked, fists clenched, throat raw.
Another squeeze from her mother, meaning Don’t challenge the Alpha.
“Let’s leave that decision until then,” Olivia said firmly. “In the meantime, he must remain out of public view.”
In case you decide to kill him later?
“For everyone’s safety.” Olivia fixed her Alpha stare on Chloe.
Her mother’s grip grew bruising.
Chloe forced herself to lower her gaze.
“He’ll need to stay with someone,” Olivia continued.
“We’d be happy to have him,” her mother said at once.
Nathan frowned. “I don’t know if that’s safe. Are you confident he won’t attack you?”
“Yes!” Chloe said. Her parents echoed her a heartbeat later.
“Winston and Karen named us guardians in their will,” her father added. “Let us do this for their son.”
“Very well.” Olivia leaned back against her husband with a sigh. “I’d intended to hold Chloe’s Pack ceremony tonight—”
A jolt went through Chloe. In all the excitement of Marcus’s return she’d forgotten what it meant that she’d had her Change. She could finally be inducted into the Pack and receive her Bite.
“—but I’m tired and emotions are high. Let’s postpone it, hmmm?” Olivia continued.
“Fine by me,” Nathan said neutrally.
Chloe eyed him curiously. Tradition held that the Bite be given by the Alpha of the same gender as the receiver. To give the Bite, the Alpha had to be in wolf form. Did he fear his wife was too ill to Change?
Olivia waved a hand. “Then it’s settled. Take me inside.”
Without another word, Nathan scooped her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing and carried her into the house. The rest of the Pack starting edging forward again.
“Why don’t you two go straight home?” her dad suggested. “Your mom and I will appease everyone’s curiosity and run damage control.”
Chloe gave him a quick hug. “Thanks. And thanks for letting Marcus stay with us.”
“Karen would’ve done the same for you if the situation had been reversed,” her mom said, teary-eyed.
Chloe’s eyes prickled, remembering Abby and Marcus’s mom. “Yeah.”
“Go,” her mom urged.
As soon as she and Marcus entered the woods, he Changed back to a wolf, a flowing, almost painless transition that took less than ten seconds.
Sharp words rose in her throat, but she swallowed them back. Yelling at Marcus would only make things worse. Better to praise him instead. “You did very well, staying a boy while talking to the Alphas. I know it put a strain on you.” She ruffled his ears. “We’ll work hard on increasing your time in human form tomorrow. Okay?”
As he trotted at her side, she gave herself a pep talk. They had a week. They could do this.
The wolf whined beseechingly at Chloe. Why wouldn’t she let him in?
“No,” Chloe said firmly. “It’s bedtime. You have a perfectly nice room of your own—Mom showed it to you earlier. Go!” She pointed down the hall and closed the bedroom door in his face.
The wolf padded down the hall to the other room. He jumped up onto the bed and lay down on top of the navy blue coverlet. But the bed was too soft, the blanket too noisy and slick. It was made to sleep under, but he didn’t want to Change. Fur was better for sleeping.
And he didn’t want to be alone in a room. He’d been solitary too long in the forest, the endless days cycling through the seasons. Pack should be with Pack.
He slipped back down the hall and waited outside Chloe’s door. She was in the bathroom, brushing her teeth.
When she came out, she looked at him and sighed. “Okay. I don’t have the heart to kick you out. But if you’re going to sleep in here you have to stay a wolf. I don’t want any lectures from Mom. Okay?”
She was letting him in! Overjoyed, he bounced into her bedroom, but after a quick sniff around he settled himself down to sleep at the foot of her bed.
“Goodnight,” she breathed, giving his head one last stroke.
He licked her fingers and closed his eyes, content. He belonged right here, curled at her feet, ready to protect her from any threats.
He didn’t understand everything that had happened tonight—people spoke too fast, and he missed things—but there was nothing wrong with his nose.
The female Alpha had smelled wrong. Metallic, though she’d tried to cover it up with flower scent. And he’d caught a whiff from one of the assembled wolves of something worse: the Evil in the Forest.
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Chloe woke up full of determination. She’d already achieved the impossible: persuading a feral to Change back to human. How hard could it be to get Marcus talking and behaving like a boy again?
Her optimism took a hit when Marcus showed no interest in either breakfast or Changing back into a boy. He sat by the back door and stared hopefully at it. His behaviour was uncomfortably dog-like. Best not to reward it.
She sat down to her own breakfast across the table from her parents. “I can’t go to school,” Chloe said baldly.
“Agreed,” her mother said. “I wish we could stay home, but your Dad has three surgeries today. We’ll be gone all day. Get Judy to collect your homework for you.”
As if. “I’ll ask Kyle,” Chloe said. “He’ll probably want to visit Marcus anyway.”
Her mother sighed, but didn’t comment on her quarrel with Judy. “Try to coax Marcus into Changing. The more time he spends as a boy, the faster his adjustment.”
Chloe nodded. “I plan to lure him with vide
o games. But, uh, I was hoping to Change myself and go for a run this morning.”
Her mom frowned. “Well … ”
“She just had her first Change, of course she wants to practise,” her dad said indulgently. “I wore fur so often the first month I Changed, your grandma threatened to set out a dog bowl for me.”
“All right,” her mom said. “It can be easy to lose track of time in wolf form, but try to set a mental clock to Change back in two hours. Don’t go too far into the Preserve.”
Chloe dipped her head in acknowledgement.
“Oh, and I hope this goes without saying, but no sex.”
“Mom!” Chloe’s cheeks burned, and she cast an agonized glance at Marcus who, fortunately, didn’t appear to be listening.
“It’s a natural instinct,” her mother said, amused. “But neither of you are ready for the complications it would bring.”
“Mom, I’m not going to have sex with Abby’s brother,” Chloe hissed, trying to keep her voice down. Yes, she’d kissed him, during a moment of high emotion and joy, but— “Mom.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Good. Keep thinking that way.”
As soon as her parents drove out of sight, Chloe walked barefoot out onto the prickly lawn. She stripped down and closed her eyes, waiting for the magic to take hold.
Nothing.
Her heart gave a great lurch. Terror gripped her throat and the old panicky despair rose up. Why wasn’t it working? She tried to recapture the moment of Change, but what had been instinctual before now seemed walled away, out of reach.
Then Marcus nudged her knee with his furry head. She crouched down, shivering in her underwear, and stared into his bisected face and crystal blue eyes. Wolf eyes. Wild eyes.
Her breath sighed out of her, and she fell into his eyes, into the Change. Her transformation took longer and hurt more than the desperate first time, but she forced herself to relax and not fight it. Five minutes later, she pawed off her remaining clothes and stood shoulder to shoulder with Marcus as a wolf.
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