Page 42 of Anders
The moment she felt the heat of his tongue flickering against her nipple, something exploded in Etta’s mind—a cascade of memory so intense that every physical sensation faded.
Her mother, cuddling her close after a nightmare.Shhh, you’re safe.No one can hurt you while I’m here.
Her father, teaching her to hunt in wolf form.That’s it!Trust your instincts.
Running with her pack, the jubilant feeling of belonging, of family, of unity.
Then—gunshots.Screams.Her mother shifting to human form just long enough to hide her in a hollow log.Don’t make a sound, no matter what happens.I’ll come back for you.
But she never did.
Men in black gear, dragging her from her hiding place.The prick of a needle.Waking in a white room, strapped to a table.
Asset E5 shows remarkable adaptive capabilities,a cold voice said.Increase the dosage.We need complete suppression before placement.
Pain that seemed endless.
Then—nothing.
Blankness.
A new family, a new life, carefully constructed memories replacing the truth.
Etta came back to herself with a gasp, tears streaming down her face.Anders held her steady.
The pain of loss—parents, pack, identity—overwhelmed her.A keening sound escaped her throat, not quite human, not quite wolf.
Then a new, searing pain ripped through her limbs, and a scream tore from her throat.
Every joint seemed to be trying to dislocate simultaneously, Etta’s bones grinding against each other.White-hot agony lanced through her spine as it bent and twisted.
Etta curled into a fetal position as Anders gently moved her from his lap to the floor.Every muscle spasmed violently.It felt like being torn apart from the inside out.Another wave of pain slammed through her.
Through tear-blurred eyes, Etta saw him kneel beside her, his hands hovering uncertainly over her contorted form.
Her fingers cramped violently, bones cracking as they attempted to elongate and reshape into claws.Etta watched in horror as her nails thickened and curved, the transformation halting halfway through as her body fought against itself.
Her jaw ached as her teeth began to elongate, her facial bones creaking as they attempted to reshape into a partial muzzle.She could feel her ears shifting position, moving higher on her skull.
What’s happening to me?she managed between gasping breaths.
Partial shift,Anders said, his voice tight.Your emotions are triggering your wolf.I think your body is fighting the chemical suppressants still in your system.
Each word registered dimly through the fog of pain.A new wave of agony rippled through her as fine white fur began to sprout along her arms, the hair follicles feeling like thousands of needles piercing her skin simultaneously.
I can’t do this—She sobbed as pain racked her body again.
Yes, you can.He took her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his steady gaze.Your wolf has been caged for too long.She’s fighting for freedom.Help her.Don’t resist the change.
Etta closed her eyes, tears leaking from beneath her lids as she tried to follow his instruction.
This is going to kill me…
CHAPTER 10
BREATHE,ANDERS INSTRUCTED, WORKINGhard to keep his voice calm.Focus on my voice.You’re safe.
Etta nodded jerkily, her features contracting with effort as she tried to control the shift.
