Page 29 of Silas

I finish washing the dishes and place them on the drying rack. “Well, if you don’t mind, I think I am going to go outside for apleasant run.” Drying my hands off on the kitchen towel, I head towards the back door.”

I glance one last time at her before stepping out the back door, “Looks like you weren’t up to the challenge then. I will see you later. "

Chapter 19

Nova

Huffing, I slap my hands down on the countertop. This man and his audacity. Who does he think he is? I know he is only amping me up to make me meet his challenge, but how does he even know that I would fall for it? Alpha, my ass. I scoot the bar stool back quickly. Popping to my feet, I run to the front door tograb my coat. I know Gail says that we won’t need it, but it’s a force of habit.

Rushing to the back door, I step outside to find Silas casually leaning against a large cedar tree in the backyard. He has that damn smirk back on his face. Asshole.

“Took you long enough,” he says as he pops off the tree.

Glaring at him, I say, “How did you know I would even come out here? I could have just gone to bed.”

He gives me that knowing look, “I knew you would come out here, just like I know you love Oreos. It’s my job to know you and give you the things that you need in life. Whether that is challenging you, holding you, or loving you.”

I put my hand on my hip, “Am I ever going to know those things about you?”

He smiles a sweet smile, “Of course you will. As you understand your wolf's side, then you will learn more about reading the bond between us. Now, would you like to shift for the first time, or…”

“Yes, let’s do this. I have no idea what I am doing. Gail told me what it would be like, but I don’t know how to do what she described.”

He claps his hands together, “How about I do it first and then I will talk you through it.” I nod my head.

I watch in astonishment as if I blinked, and suddenly there is a wolf standing in front of me. He makes it look so easy. Before I know it, he is back in his human form.

He claps his hands together and walks towards me, “Alright, now it is your turn. First thing you are going to do is openyour mind to your wolf. Each of us shares our mind space with our wolf. You will eventually have conversations with them internally. The more you bond with her, the easier it will be to transform, as well as work together.”

My eyebrows shoot up, “Wait, is that why I would catch you staring off into space from time to time?”

He drops his shoulders and looks up to the sky, “Yes, Storm didn’t appreciate that I wasn’t pursuing you. He had quite a bit to say about it. So, yes, there are many times that I would be pulled into conversations with him.”

Giggling, I say, “That makes so much sense now.”

He heaves out a sigh, “Yes, well, on to teaching you how to shift. I want you to coax your wolf into speaking to you. For your first time, it is easier to shut out the world. Close your eyes, tune out the outside sounds, and take deep breaths.”

Slowly, I shut my eyes. The fear that it will not work grips me. My wolf has been silent since I was bitten, leaving me to fumble my way through this. I suck in a deep breath and hold it for ten seconds, then release it. “Hello?” I say into my mind space.

“Hello Nova, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

My eyes pop open, and I look at Silas. He nods his head, “Keep going. You are doing great.” I slowly close my eyes again.

“What’s your name or should I just call you wolfy,” I ask my wolf.

She snorts, “My name is Nyx, although wolfy is kinda funny.”It is so weird to have a conversation with someone I can’t see and we are just chatting in my mind.

“Nice to meet you, Nyx. I am really nervous. Is this going to hurt?”

“The first time is going to hurt, but you will get used to it. Listen, we are going to shift and then we are going to run. Since it’s the first time, I will be fully in control, but over time we will work together during the shifts. Are you ready?”

I nod my head and open my eyes. “Do you feel the pull,” Silas asks.

“Yes, I feel it,” I shudder out the words.

“It’s okay Nova, let her do the work for you.” I close my eyes again and allow the pull to take over.

The first snap of my bones to change the structure of my body is excruciating. Before I can even process that one, there are several more pops in a row. I let out a wail of pain as I drop to the ground. Arching my back, I feel tears build at the corners of my eyes.

---