She Came From the Shadows (James and Tera: book 2)

11

Tera's growling ceased, and she paused. Her eyes went hazy, foggy in her iris and a little over her pupils. Her body, standing still, her clothes ripped from her sudden transformation, was starting to tilt, and her knees were giving out, I could see the shaking.

I got to my feet quickly. I was still woozy from just now being able to breathe. Once I hit my feet, I stumbled forward, reaching her before she was able to hit the floor, as well as her body keeping me from doing the same thing. I wrapped my arms around her furry arms and body, trying my best to steady us both.

Her bones were switching back to normal, and I heard her whimpering a little from the pain. She was unconscious, even though her eyes were open and she was awake. Whatever Victoria did to her, it stopped Tera's rage, as well as her change.

I helped her to the floor easy, not letting go, laying her head on my lap. The man that was the Undertaker's descendant lay helpless on the floor, his arm laying near the opened door. Victoria stepped closer to him. He looked up and hissed. "I'm older than you think." He warned her.

Victoria laughed. "Yeah, well I am as well." She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and lifted him up with ease. "And I assure you, I am much stronger than you." She warned back.

She looked him in the eyes. "Are you going to kill me?" He asked her.

"Exhaustion." She said firmly.

The man looked normal, and he cocked his head. "What?" Suddenly he stumbled, and his eyes started to droop. "What did you do to me?"

She pushed him with one finger and he fell over. "You won't have much energy for a while." She turned towards Tera. "Resume." She said.

Tera's whimpering got louder and louder. Her eyes were no longer foggy. They were cleared up and back to normal. Louder and louder, and shakier she got. I wasn't feeling the best either, but I couldn't let her suffer like this.

Her voice rose, and she was growling through her teeth, and I knew soon she would end up screaming. I was correct. She screamed a roar, and I bent down and started whispering in her ear, trying to comfort her. I know I had a rough time, but Tera? She was having it 10x worse.

She was in the middle of transforming. When werewolves transform, it's one of the most painful things imaginable. When they change they end up close to being wild. They shouldn't stop in the middle of the Transformation, it's not natural. I'm not sure how Victoria did this, but I didn't want it to happen again.

I petted her head, watching as the hair of her body started to disappear. I kept whispering in her ear, her screams of pain turned back into growling through her teeth. I know it wasn't wise doing this, being this close and making so much contact with her during the phase, but... I couldn't let her suffer like this. Not alone. It bothered me... hurt me.

Her bones going back to normal wasn't a very pleasing sight. It looked and sounded painful. I looked over at the open door and saw a small crowd looking inside, Felipe's men standing guard. I asked Felipe to shut the door. I knew Tera, and I know what she's like when it comes to her being noticeably in pain, though that was out the window knowing that a majority of those at the party had unnatural hearing.

Once closed, Felipe stood an arm's length from us. Suddenly, Tera's still-clawed hand swatted at his ankles. Knowing her power she could've taken his foot off. Luckily he was quicker and easily jumped out of the way. Tera was on edge, on the very edge.

Felipe regained his posture, still as the night, his eyes on us. He looked puzzled. "Why is she attacking me but not you?" He asked.

I didn't know myself. I never had to deal with her like this, but I thought she would be trying to tear my head off right now. Maybe her consciousness was slightly there.