The Chef's Sick Mate (Book 17 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 10

Gen tried to force herself to relax. She was still freaked out by all of this. She still half wondered if she was dead. But Jules was right. Things were different. She could see quite well in the dark, though the full moon lit up the backyard. She could smell all sorts of weird things. It was amazing, and maybe further proof she was losing her mind.

She was overly aware, overly sensitive to everything. It was like someone had turned her body on high alert. Even though she wasn't in control, she could feel everything, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt amazing. There was something freeing about standing in the backyard completely naked, no matter how scandalous it was. She sort of wanted to do it more often, a thought which made Jules burst out into laughter.

But then, the next thing she knew, a cracking noise filled the air, making her feel slightly nauseous. She could feel it, the shift, feel her body changing, and boy did it feel weird. It didn't hurt and she was suddenly glad she wasn't in control. She probably would have fought it. It felt so unnatural.

'It won't always,' Jules murmured.

Gen was suddenly much lower to the ground, and found herself running. She could feel the wind whipping through her.. fur? 'What's happening?'

'We're a wolf now. Relax. Just enjoy it,' Jules told her.

Gen scoffed. Like she could do anything else. But she liked the running. She was fast and careful, and things were so clear even in the dark.

Jules took off even faster. The world should be a blur, but Gen could see everything perfectly. 'Do we look like you did in my mind?'

'Yes.' Jules ran for quite some time, and Gen secretly loved it. It was one of the best experiences in her rather mundane boring life. She loved the sights, the scents, and the feel of the wind through her fur. She wanted to tell Jules to keep running, to never go back, though she knew that wasn't possible.

Finally, Jules came back to the house and stopped. She shifted back and suddenly, Gen found herself in control again. She stood there for a long moment, her head spinning at how fast it had all happened. This was probably just a really good dream.

But then she realized something. She ached all over and exhaustion hit her hard. Worse than when her father had left. She let loose a small sob. Of course the way she was feeling earlier has been a fluke. She felt like she'd been ran over by a Freightliner. Her eyes closed and she could still see Jules in her mind fast asleep. You probably got the worst host possible.

She grabbed her clothes, then walked back into the house, too tired to put them on. She didn't even feel like moving, but she couldn't exactly fall asleep in the backyard naked. Her mother would kill her. She stumbled back to her bedroom, naked, and grabbed a night shirt, pulling it over her head. Then she collapsed on the bed, too exhausted to worry about anything else, including wrapping herself up in her favorite blanket.

***

"Gen! Gen."

Gen opened her eyes to find her mother sitting on the edge of her bed, her brow furrowed in concern. "Morning."

"Are you okay? Are you feeling well?" her mother asked, concern clear on her face. She placed a hand on Gen's forehead, checking to see if she felt warm.

Gen frowned at her. "I feel fine. Except that I'm starving." Was she. She felt like she could eat almost anything.

"You are?" A look of shock crossed Melissa's face.

"Yeah. I'm really hungry, Mom."

"Okay I'll make you breakfast." She stood, giving Gen a final once over and left the room.