Page 1 of Shaped By Darkness

It’s raining.

It’s been raining for a while now, at least a few hours… days, maybe weeks. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you.

Sol lies unconscious on the bed, and I sit in a chair at his side. I haven’t left since I woke up.

Apparently, I passed out not long after Ryker saved me, which is why I’m here and not out there looking for Lyle.

I want to be, believe me, but until I know Sol’s going to be okay, I can’t bring myself to leave.

Everyone’s in this situation because Draven wantsme. If I could go back in time and trade myself for them, I would, without question.

But I can’t, and with every passing minute, I feel myself slowly slipping deeper into my mind. I’m torn about what I need to do and how to save the people I love.

There’s no good answer.

And if there is, I sure as hell don’t know it.

I don’t feel like I know much of anything right now.

“You have to eat something.” Blair stands at the door, a tray of food in his hands. I felt him come in, but couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I can’t bring myself to do much of anything.

“Little Rabbit.”

I can hear the pain in his words. It cuts through me, making my eyes fill with tears, knowing I’m the cause, but I can’t stop.

I feel so lost right now, and despite my desire to keep them safe, I can’t stop doing exactly the opposite.

“Serena!”

I flinch as he bites out my name. Gone is his sadness, replaced with anger, and I can’t help but huff in annoyance.

Damn this bond.

Ever since I woke up, it’s been different,more, in a way I’m not used to.

When I was younger, I could easily communicate with Garrett, something I hadn’t been able to do since I’d returned. Now, not only can I do that, but I can feel them, and they can feel me.

Rosalynn said there are ways to block one another, but it takes concentration and training, neither of which I have or can focus on right now. So, instead, I’m an open book, one that Blair clearly doesn’t like the story of right now.

“This isn’t your fault.”

I bark a laugh, the sound sharp and angry, not at all happy, but I can’t help it. Pike whines, and I fight the urge to reach out and pet him—a silent comfort and support I don’t deserve. I hadn’t meant to upset him.

“Serena, I’m serious,” Blair growls as he stalks toward me, stepping over Pike with ease despite his enormous size.

I keep my eyes on the window I’ve been staring out of, but he isn’t having it. Grabbing my chin, he forces my face toward him until our eyes meet. I try to pull away, but he doesn’t release me, and I can’t overpower him. Not only is he huge, but I’m exhausted despite sleeping for hours on end.

You could.

Fuck, not again. Since I woke up, I’ve not only been able to hear the guys but also this damn voice in my head, as if I needed another thing to worry about.

I shift uncomfortably in the chair, and Pike lets out an annoyed whine as I move my feet from under him. He hasn’t left since we got back, lying on the ground next to Sol’s bed, over my feet like a huge furry foot warmer.

“Don’t you dare try and take her side. If you could hear the way she’s thinking about herself, you wouldn’t be so fast to jump to her defense,” Blair snaps at Pike. From the corner of my eyes, I see his ears tuck back before he turns his giant snout toward me, and I can see the sadness in his eyes.

I don’t need to be bonded to him to read him. I’ve been around his wolf enough over the years to see the disappointment that shines in his gray eyes.

Damn it.

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