Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
“Yes, of course,” I heard from inside the room. The butterflies in my stomach started to speed up their flight.
The man pushed the door wide and waited for us to enter. Hadriel didn’t move.
“I’ll be right out here,” he told me, rubbing my back. “Do you want the door opened or closed?”
I shrugged one shoulder as I took my first step. “I don’t care.” I swallowed as I entered. Fear had bile burning up the back of my throat.
I’d always wanted this. I’d wanted magic, an animal, a way to fit in. Now that I faced the possibility, I was terrified of what the man would say. I was terrified my dream wouldn’t come true, knowing I’d be devastated. But I was just as afraid, if not more, that it would. Because of what it would mean about my past.
The village head was a short, squat man with graying hair and brown eyes. He sat at a messy desk in a room lined with books.
“Yes, how can I help?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
“I’ve come to ask if I have magic,” I said in a firm tone. “An animal, I mean.”
The man’s brows knitted together as he stood. “Of course, yes. But didn’t I hear that you had come under orders from the court and the beta? Surely you didn’t have to stop to see me if you’ve traveled with him . . .”
“It’s complicated. I preferred to speak with someone who didn’t know me.”
He stepped around his desk. “Well, sure, but I’m not one of the more powerful alphas. I’m in this position because I know how to run a budding town, not a pack.”
“That’s fine. I just need you to check and see.”
He shrugged and approached. “Well okay, if—”
His eyes turned sharp, and he stopped, glancing at the door.
“Is this a joke?” he demanded. “Is that Hadriel out there? Am I the punch line?”
Hadriel stepped through the doorway. “Like she said, it’s complicated. She just needs a stranger to tell her, without a doubt, if she has an animal or not. Then yank it out and we’ll be on our way. My jokes are never this simple.”
The man’s brow pinched together in a frown at Hadriel’s explanation. “I don’t believe you. Look, I’ve always been very upfront about my lack of power. I said it just a moment ago, didn’t I? I’m good at my job. I don’t need—”
“I’ve been told my whole adult life that I don’t have any magic,” I interrupted, tingles of unease making my nerves dance. “My mother didn’t have magic. I believed the person who told me that I didn’t either. I’m not convinced I can believe the alpha—”
“Beta,” Hadriel corrected me.
“Beta, whatever, when he tells me that I do. I just need a second opinion from someone who has no vested interest in the situation and who doesn’t know my past. Please, can you tell me—do I have an animal in there?”
The man’s expression cleared of doubt, kindness taking its place. He stepped a little closer.
“Sweetie, you have a very powerful animal in there, yes. Trust the beta—he would know.” My heart started thumping. “I don’t have a lot of power myself, which is why I thought Hadriel was making fun of me, but I can certainly feel it, my dear. Who is this person who told you that you didn’t? They must not have had much power.”
I started to sweat. “My guardian. She is quite powerful, hence my uncertainty. Can you tell what kind of animal it is?”
His confusion was evident, but he didn’t ask questions. Instead, he shook his head. “No, that can’t be known until you shift, and you shouldn’t shift without guidance. The first time can be very dangerous. Don’t worry, though, you’ve come to the right kingdom. The queen herself has only been shifting since the curse fell a year and a half ago. Many people here are new to their animals.” He smiled at me warmly. “You aren’t so far behind. The beta was smart to bring you here. Would you like me to end your suppression?”
A rush of sweet adrenaline ran through me. Tears crowded my vision. My mom would be so proud, so relieved. She’d always wanted this for me—for me to have magic, to belong. She’d be singing and dancing if she were here right now, hugging me endlessly.
Granny had kept this joy from me. I’d been treated like shit all my life, spat on, avoided, kept from having friends . . . She’d watched me endure the censure from the village, isolated because of their prejudices, picked on as a teen, taunted by her own employee. That whole time, she had said nothing.
No, that wasn’t true.
She hadn’t said nothing.
She’d looked me right in the eye . . . and lied.
That wasn’t love; it was cruelty. If I’d needed any more evidence, this was it.