"I think it's why you never shifted," Liam said, his words continuing like a dream. I couldn't see. "You have the markings of a bite, Charlotte. You smell like a wolf. I've even seen your eyes shift. We all did just now."
The others nodded.
No. It couldn't be true, but my vision had seemed different moments before they started shifting.
"Oh, my God," I said.
"I think this gift you have to control wolves, works on yourself as well. My theory? You've been terrified of canines your entire life. It would make sense for your subconscious to keep your wolf tamed up inside you since you have the ability to make it do so."
Liam brushed his knuckles down my damp cheek, and I let him. "It's okay, Charlotte. It's going to be okay. I'm on your side. I also think hanging out with me, has helped rid some of that fear, hence why I've seen your eyes change."
"What's going to happen to me?" I asked.
"That's up to you," he said, bringing his hand down to cup my chin. I turned my gaze up to his. "I believe if you wanted to turn into a wolf right now, you could."
Chapter 18
My heart beat so fast, I couldn't think. I wanted somebody to change the subject.
"How do you turn into a wolf?" I asked. My voice sounded foreign to me.
The guys gave me an awkward shrug.
"You feel the wolf stirring and moving inside you," Liam said. "It scratches, and claws, vibrating through your limbs. Instead of holding it back, you accept it, and let it come forward. The wolf then takes over."
I swallowed hard, trying to stay lucid. "That makes you shift?"
Liam smiled a little. "Yes, the wolf takes over from there. The rest you don't actually mentally have to partake in. It just happens."
"But your mind is still there in wolf form, right?" I asked.
"Yes," Liam said. He dropped his hold on my chin. "The wolf is part of who you are. There are physical differences, but once you both meet for the first time, you become one and the same. The wolf's instincts and mind are blended and mixed with your human one. As I stand here, the wolf and I are on equal ground. Or rather, in my instance, the human is equal with me." He shrugged a little. "It is why even in human form, I probably seem somewhat...inhuman."
"So you're on equal ground in both forms?"
Liam chuckled. "Yes. The only thing that changes and shifts is the physical form. The rest is blended and stays the same."
"Does it hurt?" I shifted my feet, my face hot.
He paused and I flushed cold. "The first time can be a little painful," Liam said, his face twisting. "The body isn't used to the stretching and remolding that is required for the change. During a shift, your skin, bones, and ligaments actually become flexible. There is a chemical reaction that happens in the body making them no longer firm, but tangible. It is how we are able to change physical form without everything in us breaking."
I cringed at his words.
"The first time, the body tends to resist the change. It's similar to the physics notion of a 'body in rest tends to stay at rest'. After the first time, the body accepts it, and it doesn't hurt at all. In fact, it's rather invigorating," he said with a smirk.
I nodded, numb.
"Charlotte," he said. His fingers found my cheek again. "Do you want to try? You're safe, here, with us."
"Yeah, we already consider you part of the pack," Steve said.
"We do?" Byron asked.
"Quiet," Liam muttered under his breath. He didn't look away from me. "Seriously, we're here for you. We've all been through it before. There's nothing to be nervous about."
He moved his hand to the edge of my hair, brushing it behind my ear. "I love you, Charlotte," he whispered. "I already consider you my Alpha Female." The edge of Liam's lip turned up, giving me flutters despite the situation.
"Told ya," Steve said.
Liam rolled his eyes and I heard a low growl reverberate from his chest. "Of course, there are some downfalls to having a pack around." He shot Steve a glare. Steve gave a tight inhuman yelp, and looked the other way.
"So?" Liam asked.
"What if you're wrong?" I asked. "What if I'm not really what you think I am?"
"There's only one way to find out," he said, his eyebrow lifting. "Come on. Just relax. Feel the wolf and let her come. I'll help you."
"I...I don't know, Liam." My hands started to sweat.
"Just let my wolf help bring yours to the forefront. The pheromones call to each other. It's why it's been so hard for me to stay in human form around you, Charlotte." He smiled. "Being near you brings out the animal in me."
I bit my lip. "Very funny, Liam."
He chuckled, then became serious. "Remember, you're the one not allowing her to come out. You need to let go and give the wolf permission." He leaned in close. "Close your eyes," he whispered. "Listen to my voice and bring yourself inward."
My pulse pounded in my ears, but I did what he asked. I could feel him in front of me. His fingers still rested in my hair and then his warm cheek brushed against mine. I inhaled sharply, his scent of musk and pine everywhere.
A low growl gurgled from him and everything in me went white hot. Something stirred and stretched inside me and my eyes shot wide. Liam opened his - burning gold, and I gasped. My body dropped - something else pushed through, taking over.
I freaked.
Stumbling backwards from Liam, my left sneaker caught on an upturned root, and I fell.
"Charlotte, are you okay?" Liam asked, helping me up.
I nodded, my hands trembling. "I...I can't. I can't do it."
He held my hands, steadying them. "Hey, it's okay," Liam whispered, and pulled me to his chest. "You've had a lot to take in today. I shouldn't have rushed you. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," I said. His embrace felt amazing, safe. How could I have ever doubted him?
"Man, I wish I had a girlfriend," Byron said.
My cheeks burned.
Flynt punched Byron in the side, and I smiled.
"Come on," Liam said, motioning his head to trees. "Let's get going. It's getting late and we need to find Aaron."
Dusk had settled in around us. How long had we been out? Ty and I left school midafternoon.
"I should call my dad," I said, feeling very self-conscious. Considering everything going on, the necessity seemed rather insignificant. I didn't want my father to worry though. I had a clear plan of what to say. I'd make it quick, and tell him I was staying at Ty's to study.
"Are you with Liam?" Dad asked with bite.
"Please Dad. It's not what you think. I'll be home soon. I promise. Everything's fine."
I winced and hung up.
"There goes my reputation," Liam said with a chuckle.
"Sorry."
"Come on, let's go already," Eldridge said, pacing the line of shrubbery. He picked up the small leather bag and stepped through the bushes. Several branches shook and crackled and then a large, slender, reddish brown wolf emerged.
I swallowed hard, it all still too new to me. In his mouth the pouch dangled. He tossed it towards the center of the group with a whine.
Liam seemed to read my expression. "We carry our clothes in there."
"Who carries the bag?" I asked.
"Usually Steve," Byron said, stretching his back. "The pup gets the tedious duties. It's a hierarchy thing. Steve's the youngest."
"At least I'm not the ugliest," Steve said with a grin.
Byron laughed. "You wish."
Liam shook his head. "Alright, let's move before Aaron has time to clean up his trail."
"Told you guys I saw tracks outside our house the other day," Steve said. "No one ever listens to me."
"That's because you whine too much," Flynt said, punching him in the side as he grabbed the bag and disappeared into the trees.
Steve looked appalled. "I do not."