RISE OF THE LYCANS - SHADOWS AND SECRETS

Chapter 9 - Truth

Maeve

"I didn't realize you and the Lycan Prince were getting along so well," Nan said as I raced up the stairs to my room.

"We're not," I called back. "I helped him with a project at the library for the Alpha King, that's all."

I stripped my clothes and jumped into the shower again. Three scrubs later, I was certain I had a Rex-free scent. Most people shifted while they were naked, but I wasn't sure how long my first shift would take, and I didn't want to be naked in front of Alpha Hamish or my grandparents.

"You'll have to do," I mumbled, lifting the cream cotton nightgown over my head. I'd probably ruin it when I shifted, but Nan had sewed me a dozen different ones when I first discovered my love for Jane Austen novels. This was the only one with a high neck to cover my dirty little secret.

"Maeve," Nan called. "Alpha Hamish is here."

My heart picked up pace, and I suddenly felt a rush of fear. It was a good thing I hadn't eaten much because I wanted to vomit. I took the stairs one at a time and tried to shove down the anxiety brewing inside me. This was finally happening.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart," Grandad greeted me. "You just go out back in the grass and wait patiently for your wolf. We're going to stay on the porch and let Alpha Hamish help you through it."

"Ye hev nothin tae worry aboot," Alpha Hamish assured me.

We moved to the small porch in the back of our house, and my grandparents seated themselves on the wicker chairs. I walked barefoot on the cool night grass to the center of the grassy patch we called our backyard. Alpha Hamish stood behind me, and I couldn't help feeling we were being watched.

"It shouldnae tak long. Ye may want tae lie doun."

"Will it hurt?" I knew it would hurt because I had heard stories.

"Juist a wee bit."

I lowered myself to the grass and curled on my side, waiting for something to happen. The moon was visible in the sky, so I focused on it. The minutes ticked by, and I waited patiently.

"Come on, wolfie," I murmured to myself.

She was taking her sweet time, and I allowed myself to relax in the grass. The minutes soon turned into an hour, and there was still nothing. Alpha Hamish stood still—like a sentinel. I rolled over onto my back to get a more comfortable view of the moon.

"Dae hear anythin in yer mind?"

"No," I shook my head, knowing something was wrong.

My grandad's gray wolf trotted up to me and lowered his head to nuzzle me, almost as if he was trying to coax my wolf out. He let out a low whine and looked up at the Alpha.

"A'm in na hurry. We can wait tae make sure," Alpha Hamish seemed to be speaking to my grandad, but I knew they couldn't mind link.

He wanted to make sure of what? Was something wrong with my wolf? I closed my eyes and tried to envision her. She may be an Omega, but she would still be a wolf.

Time seemed to drag on, and my grandad was sprawled out in the grass beside me. I tried not to think about Rex, but he kept invading my thoughts. I heard another low whine, and my grandad lifted his head in alert.

"What is it?" I scanned the trees, hoping to find Rex standing in the shadows.

Alpha Hamish lowered his head, and my grandad did the same. They could sense him before I ever saw his beautiful golden fur. Apollo was the most incredible and majestic creature I had ever seen. The golden wolf that belonged to Alpha King Ares was much bigger than a regular wolf shifter. I didn't need to have a wolf to feel the power of the Gods radiating from him.