Page 48 of Wolves & Watercolors
“I’m not sure what other proof you need.” Frustration overwhelms me.
“Are you saying this was my fault?” she snaps, getting louder. It feels like a physical blow.
“I wasn’t saying you intentionally grew them,” I say, trying to deescalate her. My head is pounding. The squeeze of her fingers starts to sting.
“So these inexplicable things keep happening and it’s all because of me because I’m some kind of monster.”
“No!” I don’t mean to yell.
Aurora rips her hand from mine and takes a step back. Her eyes narrow in accusation. “I don’t even know what you want me to believe!”
“Just wait and listen,” I say, my voice growling.
“Your eyes…” Aurora stares, her lips parting in shock. I drop my gaze to the dirt and duck my head, but she isn’t deterred. “No, I knew I saw Hazel’s eyes glowing and your eyes are doing it too right now!”
“Listen!” I say, my hands clenching into fists.
“You want me to think I’m sort of witch, but then you’re acting all freaky! I know you’re lying to me. I can feel it.” She’s yelling, throwing her hands out dramatically.
I can’t handle it. My pulse thrums in my ears and my skin prickles. I drag my nails down my arms, trying to quell the irritating hum increasing throughout my muscles, aching my bones. Anger flickers in the corners of my mind, the wolfish side of me bringing out baser emotions. Stress narrows my vision until she is all I can see.
When I try to step forward, my ankle catches on plants that have grown up and twisted around me. Their hold is so tight, I pitch forward and throw my hands out to catch myself.
My shifter instincts win out over the yelling in my head. One instant I’m a clumsy human falling, and the next second I’m a reddish-blonde wolf landing on four paws with the shreds of clothes drifting around me.
Aurora lets out a scream so intense, my ears pop. Her hands clench into fists before she turns and starts sprinting through the trees.
I should run to get Hazel or Heath. What I really shouldn’t do is chase her. So of course that’s exactly what I do.
Predator instincts kick in and I’m racing after her before I can stop myself. The floral scent mingling with the chemicals of paint, something so uniquely Aurora, overwhelms my senses. I’m going to catch her.
My tail whips behind me. I catch every movement, the way branches bend as if they’re reaching for her even after she’s passed, the churn of dirt under her bare feet. Her flip flops flew off as soon as she took off running. She’s fast, but I’m faster. I close the distance in seconds.
My ears swivel, taking in the sound of her footfalls. My pace slows, allowing me to approach without spooking her. The clever girl must know she can’t outrun me, so she tries hiding, but with her scent imprinted in my brain, there is no escape for her.
Muzzle to the ground, I creep toward the tree she’s tucked herself again. It’s a towering cedar tree, though my wolf brain doesn’t see the irony in that. She huddles against the massive trunk. The honeysuckle vines covering the tree’s roots have grown up to blanket her. Hundreds of white blooms open as I watch.
The sound of soft crying shakes me from my animalistic mind. With mental effort, I shift back to human. Now I’m the one embarrassingly naked, but there is no way I’m leaving her here alone.
“Aurora,” I call, crouching down to peer between the branches. The sniffling stops. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Tentatively, I reach out and tug some of the plant aside. It curls back, revealing her head and shoulders. She’s curled in on herself. Her wet hair is mussed from her wild sprint.
“Can you come out? I promise I’ll answer anything you want to know. No more secrets.”
“Really?” Her voice is shaky, but I can tell I’ve got her hooked.
“Yup. Come on,” I say, slowly extending my arm to trace my fingertips over her shoulder.
“Okay.”
The plant loosens and she’s able to shrug it off. When she reaches out, I grab her hand and help her crawl up and out of her hiding place. As soon as she’s standing, her eyes flick down my body and back up. “So… you’re naked. Like really naked.”
A snort in expected laughter. “Yeah, that happens when you turn into a wolf.”
“You’re like a werewolf.” Her mouth parts, her lips forming a small circle.
“We prefer the term shifter,” I say, a growl under my words.
