Series: Shifter Ops Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
He tenses, softening his knees like a martial arts fighter. His eyes close, and intense concentration screws up the features of his face. A wolf-growl rockets from his throat, but it seems to surprise him, and he pulls back, eyes flying open and seeking mine.
I smile. “That was right, Geo. Try again.”
He shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders like a boxer about to get in the ring.
“Remember what it was like to be in wolf form and just put your entire consciousness there. You have to leave this consciousness. Leave the human thoughts. Find the wolf instincts.”
The air around Geo shimmers. I hear the crack of joints, a whimper, then a snarl, and then he’s a wolf again.
I reward him by dropping back into my wolf and racing ahead, challenging him to keep up.
Julia
After what feels like hours, something moves in the trees.
I gave up pacing and waiting, and started cleaning. I wiped down the fridge, the oven, and the microwave. Reorganized the cans in the pantry. The kitchen has never been so clean.
I’m scrubbing out the coffee pot when a flash of movement ripples down the hill.
After they left, I stood at the kitchen sink, staring past the patio. Flashes of white move between the pines. It was easy to tell the two wolves apart–one is big, but the other is a monster. Channing’s wolf could almost stand shoulder to shoulder with me. Not an animal you’d want to meet on a hike.
I knew Geo might turn into a wolf although it’s not certain with a half-breed. I tried to imagine it, rehearsing different scenarios. I’m a control freak. I like to plan. But the way Geo’s body contorted, like he was in pain…the way that growl erupted from my baby boy’s mouth–I froze. All the advice from the teen psychology books flew out of my head.
Channing knew what to do. When he gave that command in that weird echoey voice, Geo obeyed.
I’m in a whole new world, and none of my rules apply. I need to get it together.
I stood there for a while after they left, my arms wrapped around myself, and let the aftermath of all my adrenaline shudder through me.
Then, I followed orders. I went to the truck and got the clothes. There were four bags of them stuffed behind the front seats. Channing must have bought out the store. I left one bag in the truck because Channing might need it. Now his weird outfit when he showed up this morning makes sense. He must have shifted earlier and not had a proper change of clothes.
And I judged him for it. I decided he was being his usual irresponsible self and assumed the worst. And he let me.
I set a pair of clothes on the picnic table, like I used to do for Geoffrey. Geoffrey would joke that he didn’t mind walking around naked. Some nights, when Geo was asleep and Channing was out, he would ignore the pile of clothes and come find me.
I haven’t thought about that in years. Life rolls on even when you’re stuck in your grief. It’s a blessing and a curse. The memories of my late husband don’t have the sting they used to. I can remember the good times, the laughter, without the searing pain. It’s bittersweet.
If you’re reading this, something happened to me. I hoped this day would never come, but it has.
I read the letter Geoffrey left late at night. After I’d put Geo, only three and still confused about why his father couldn’t come tuck him in, to bed.
Channing will be there for you.
By then, Channing was long gone.
And now he’s back, and he’s like a different person.
He’s more like Geoffrey. That thought brings on a streak of longing so deep it rocks me. Longing to let Channing in. Let him stay. Let him take Geoffrey’s place. But no. Channing isn’t Geoffrey. And he’s not here for me. He’s here for Geo.
For me to imagine anything…romantic… happening with him is foolish. It’s wrong. I should feel big sisterly toward him. Even if he weren’t Geoffrey’s brother, he would be far too young for me. Besides, he’s in some kind of high-risk security work. Very dangerous. I’ve had enough dangerous for a lifetime.
I’m not going to fall in love with a soldier again. That ended far too painfully for me.
I grab my glass of wine, the one Channing poured for me, and take a healthy swallow. I couldn’t sit and eat while they were gone, my stomach flipping over. But now they’re finally back.
The two wolves emerge from the trees, loping towards the house. They stop before the patio, just outside the circle of flood lights. Their brown markings make them blend into the background, but if I squint hard, I can see them. The smaller one raises his head, rubbing his cheek against the larger one. It is so sweet it nearly brings me to my knees.