Hay Creek

Chapter 9.

"Isaac?!" I blurted, completely caught off guard. Why would Kai think Isaac was involved?

"I know it sounds crazy," Kai said, shrugging, "but why keep it a secret? I mean, you're one of us."

I frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Kai leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Isaac is a shapeshifter."

My eyes widened in shock. Isaac? A shapeshifter? What in the world was going on? The secrecy swirling around all of this was exhausting. But, honestly, I couldn't act too surprised. Of course Kai would know—he could sense the difference between humans and shapeshifters. That probably explained the weird looks he and Isaac exchanged at the party.

"He's a werecoyote," Kai continued. "He knows I'm a shapeshifter, but like everyone else, he doesn't know about you." He paused, then added, "Have you thought about telling the others? About, you know... your abilities?"

He was watching me closely now, waiting for a response. I hadn't really considered it—maybe because I'd been avoiding the whole topic. Thinking about it meant facing the reality of meeting this Gabriel guy and the potential danger I might be in. I wasn't ready for more change. So much had already shifted in my life.

I quickly changed the subject. "Why do you think Isaac was attacked?"

Kai wasn't letting me off the hook so easily. "Don't change the subject. I get it if you haven't thought it through yet. I just hope it's not because you're ashamed." His tone softened, but his words stung.

"Ashamed? No," I shook my head, trying to find the right words. "It's not that. This is just... me. I'm not ashamed. I'm just—" I hesitated. Afraid wasn't the right word. "I'm just not ready."

Kai nodded, respecting my hesitation. "Okay, we'll leave it for now. But as for Isaac, I found him in the gym bathroom, badly injured. If a human had hurt him, he would've healed quickly, or at least not been in such bad shape. I'm almost certain whatever attacked him wasn't human. It was supernatural."

"But why him?" I asked, still trying to connect the dots.

"We think he's a loner," Kai explained. "All the recent attacks have targeted shapeshifters—loners, specifically. The girl who was attacked last night? She was a loner too."

"So, whoever's behind this is only going after lone wolves... but Isaac has parents. Aren't they werecoyotes too? Wouldn't they be part of a pack?"

Kai shook his head. "They might be shapeshifters, but I don't think they're in a pack."

"How are you going to get Isaac to talk?" I asked, doubtful. Isaac wasn't likely to open up easily, especially not in front of me. He'd probably think I didn't need to be dragged into his mess. But the truth was, I was already part of it—I was one of them. I glanced at Kai, and by the look in his eyes, I could tell we were thinking the same thing. At some point, I'd have to tell everyone.

If my wolf side ever surfaced unexpectedly, things would get awkward fast. "Okay," I said quietly. "I'll tell them."

Kai smiled, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't have to do it alone. I'll be right there with you. Besides, they already welcomed you with open arms. Learning that you're one of us isn't going to change that. In fact," he added with a grin, "some of us might actually be thrilled. I know I am."

Kai.

"I don't have to tell them today, right?" Avery asked, her eyes fixed on her hands as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

"You don't have to," I reassured her. "Tomorrow's another day." I knew she understood that she'd have to tell the pack eventually. Even though her wolf hadn't surfaced yet, I was eager to see that side of her. In time, I'd help her bring it out, because I wanted our bond to be complete. Avery could already see me and hear me in my true form, but there was still a gap between us. When you're mated, you're blessed with certain gifts—like being in tune with your mate's emotions. But I didn't have that connection with her yet. When something was wrong, I could only tell because I was good at reading her, not because I could feel it like I should.