Secret Worlds (357 page)

The two worked in unison. Alyssa would pour more of her healing blood over me and Lysander would eagerly lap it up. My other senses came back into focus. Not only could I feel the cold sticky blood coating my chest and shoulder, but now I could smell it. A rich, tangy, mineral-y scent. It should have bothered me, but there was something appealing about it. It made me think of steak. Rare steak, hot off the grill, dripping with juices. My stomach, no longer churning, began growling. It occurred to me that I was hungry. Really hungry.

I certainly couldn’t be too bad off if I was feeling hunger pains. That thought was positive enough to bring a smile to my battered face.

I tested my muscles again, but they still refused to respond.

Alyssa must have noticed. She turned her head to me and I saw the ghost of a smile begin to spread her lips.

“Relax, Fallon. You’ve got a long way to go.” I still had to read her lips, but I wasn’t as bothered by it now. Deep down, I knew I would be okay.

***

I woke again, in Aiden’s bed, feeling almost back to my old self. Almost. My muscles were still tender, but at least this time they responded. I lifted my left hand, which was an amazing feat considering it had previously been rendered useless. I rubbed my head and groaned, more to test my voice than out of frustration. And, I was happy to know that was working too. Things were beginning to look up.

“There she is … Back from the dead.” Alyssa sounded chipper, though I could see the deeply trenched lines of worry creasing her forehead. She stood from where she’d been sitting at the end of the bed and walked to the dresser and grabbed a wet washcloth from a small basin of water.

“Someone get the number of that truck that hit me,” I grumbled.

“Don’t joke! Do you know how lucky you are to be alive?” The anxiety in her voice scared me. Alyssa sounded like she was on the verge of tears. She wrung out the small towel and walked it over, placing it on my forehead. “I thought we were too late.”

The cold rag felt nice and refreshing. “Thanks,” I said with a smile. “Seems to me that you and Lysander got here right in time.” Flashes back to images of Lysander licking my wounds had blood rushing to my face. “Not that I’m complaining, but do you want to tell me what the hell was happening with you and your boyfriend? Was that some kind of vampire foreplay or what?”

Now it was Alyssa’s turn to blush. The crimson rush was very pronounced against her pale skin. Her cheeks almost matched the red in her hair. She turned away from me and retook her seat at the end of the bed. “We had to do something. Your wounds were pretty bad. You were bleeding uncontrollably.”

“So you had a little snack while applying first aid,” I teased as I scooted up, leaning my back against the headboard.

“Not me—Lysander.” She stuck her tongue out like a child. It was nice to see the playfulness coming back. Worry did not suit my free-spirited friend. “Seriously though, Lysander was the only one who Aiden would let touch you … . like that.”

“I’m really surprised at that. Why not you?”

She looked away sheepishly. “I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough restraint. I hadn’t hunted in a while and there was no time, we broke every traffic law in the book to get here.”

“Got it.” I didn’t understand bloodlust, but I knew something of addiction, so I could empathize with how hard it might be. “So, did I turn?”

“Probably. I mean you didn’t die, so … maybe?” Alyssa shrugged.

“Well, that’s comforting … Maybe? I’d hate to think I went through all of that for nothing.”

“I doubt it was for nothing, but we won’t really know until you turn into a fluffy little wolf, right? How do you feel?”

“Like shit.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I mean, do you feel different?”

“Not really sure.” The soothing relief the cold rag had brought had faded, and now it was just a sopping wet annoyance on my head. I balled it up in my hands. “Everything hurts right now. But I guess that’s normal after getting the shit kicked out of you.”

“From what I heard, you took it like a champ. That she-wolf had you pinned and you were kicking and screaming like a banshee. You fought right to the end.”

I narrowed my eyes. “She-wolf?”

“Aiden said something about Diana.”

“That bitch. I’ve got a bone to pick with her.”

“Already making dog jokes? I guess you must be feeling better.”

“I guess so. Speaking of dogs, where’s Aiden? I’m surprised he’s not here scratching behind my ears.”

“Please, no more bad puns. You’re killing me over here.”

“Only if you promise to tell me where Aiden is.”

“I’m right here, babe.” Aiden rushed through the door. “Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke. We’ve got problems.” He snuggled up next to me and wrapped me in his warmth.

“Pack problems?” Anxiety sped my heart. I needed him by my side, but I was the root cause of recent problems with the pack, and Micah was probably spreading more discontent.

“I’m staying with you until I know you’re going to be okay.”

“I’m fine. How about Micah and Diana?”

“Shhh. After the stunt she pulled with you, I had her locked up. We have some time.” His chest rumbled with a growl.

“So it was her?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t act quicker when you mentioned her aggression toward you. I should have had her put in chains. The thought of what she did to you.” His muscles tensed.

“I’m okay, baby. Look at me. I’m alive.”

“Thanks to your … 
our
vampire allies.” He turned to Alyssa and nodded. “I owe you my life in debt.”

“You don’t owe us anything. Fallon is my buddy. I’d do anything to save her,” Alyssa replied.

“Either way, please know that so long as I am in charge, you will always be a friend of this pack. Call on us anytime and we’ll be there to assist you.”

“It works both ways. We’re here for you too. Though, you know, with my track record,” Alyssa giggled. “You might not want to make such a pledge.”

“Yeah, baby, Alyssa has troublemaker written all over her. If she’s not causing it, she’s probably asleep.”

Aiden turned to me and looked deep into my eyes. “You are my life. If you’d died, I would have too. I don’t care how many times I have to save Alyssa’s ass, it will never make up for the gift she and Lysander have given me by restoring you.”

“Damn, baby, you really know how to sweet talk a girl.” Even in my injured state he could still make me melt. Damn, that man was good! And he was all mine.

“You’re my world, babe, and I can’t wait to make it official in front of the entire pack.”

“Well, first we have to see if I pass the test, right?”

“She’ll pass,” Alyssa said a little too cheerfully. “There’s no way she doesn’t turn. I just know it.”

“Thanks again for the vote of confidence, Lyss, but we won’t know until it happens,” I said. “Fingers crossed, though.”

Aiden’s mouth hardened. “Yes, we need to ensure the transition worked. After all that happened … but I don’t see a reason for it to not have worked.”

“What exactly did happen? It was all a blur to me.”

“I’d called for the pack to stand down. I wanted to control your transition myself. Diana ignored my call and rallied the other females to follow her.”

My eyes widened with shock. The other females? How many did she and Micah have on their side? How long had they been spreading their discontent? “Diana is a conniving little bitch, isn’t she? How many did she have?”

“I’d say about half the pack. She and Micah have been attempting to assume Alpha roles. Micah I could understand. He openly challenged me. But Diana … she’s overstepped big time. I have her in lockup pending punishment, so we should be able to rest easy and let you heal.”

“What does all of this mean for us?”

“Nothing. Once we’ve proven your transition, I can officially take you as mate. That should make everyone happy.”

“Should?”

Aiden pulled me tight against him and held me as if he never wanted to let go. “Try not to worry.”

He was hiding something. Why hadn’t he mentioned answering Micah’s challenge? What if Micah won?

Aiden stroked my hair and pulled me close. “Focus on the good stuff now. Once you’re feeling up to it, you get to transform. And I can’t wait to see that fur coat.”

Ignoring my protests, Aiden snuck me outside into the chilly forest for my first transformation. Even though I ached and complained with each step, I was shocked at how fast my wounds were healing. Just the mere fact I was up at all astonished me. What was even more amazing was the array of scents I could discern. I’d had a great nose before, but now it was ten times better. I was smelling things I never knew had a scent before. Even the breeze had layers of aromas: crisp clean snow, thick cloying dirt, and pine just to name a few. The stew of fragrances begged me to find each source. I found myself limping to each tree to see what new smell would greet me.

“There’ll be plenty of time for that once you’ve shifted into your new form.” Aiden’s voice was firm and reassuring.

“And how do I go about it?” I’d seen Aiden do it plenty of times, but there was never a discernible trigger. It just happened. And it appeared effortless on his part. One moment he’d be my ruggedly handsome man, and the next, he’d be growing a dark fur coat.

“Your first time might be a little uncomfortable. As a turned wolf, your body is not accustomed to the changes it is about to undergo.”

He must have caught the worried look crossing my face, or maybe it was my trembling limbs. I didn’t want to deal with any more pain. I’d had my fill for a lifetime already.

“Don’t be scared,” he tried to reassure me. “It won’t hurt, but it might tingle a bit.” He winked.

I wasn’t sure I believed him. Not that I had a choice. I just wanted to get this over with. There had been too much anxiety and drama leading up to it. Whether or not I turned, no matter what the outcome, I was ready to be over this whole ordeal.

Aiden wrapped an arm around me. “I know this situation has been difficult. I promise the worst is over.” He kissed the top of my forehead.

I nodded and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a baby about all of this. Let’s do it. How do I transform?”

“That’s my girl.” He pushed me back an arm’s length and gave me a good once over. “This first time will require a little assistance. You have to learn how to trigger the change, and for each wolf it is different.” He smiled. “Part of being an Alpha is helping with that transition. I am going to jump start you.”

A wicked smile crossed my face. The word “jump,” even in my sore state, send my mind straight to the gutter. I couldn’t help it. That man could jump me anytime.

“We’ll have plenty of time for that later, babe,” he chided playfully. “Right now I need you to strip down and think like an animal.”

I snickered as I removed my coat, t-shirt, and finally my jeans. I was thinking like an animal all right, and his own brand of magnetism, whether it was an Alpha thing or not, had me hot and ready.

Before I could say another word he put one of his hands on my forehead and with the other he cradled the back of my head. He pressed his palm gently against my skin and closed his eyes.

“I want you to take a deep breath, and clear your mind.”

A current of buzzing electricity jolted through my body.

“Imagine yourself loping through the forest,” he commanded. “Imagine the trees passing by in a blur, the wind buffeting your face, and the muddy ground squishing under your paws.”

I did as he ordered and suddenly, I felt my arms and legs pull inward, as if shrinking into my core. My whole body began to tingle like the sensation of a waking limb. I doubled over and fell to my hands and knees. Discomfort rather than pain had me twitching and jerking involuntarily. I somehow managed to wiggle my way free of the pile of clothes I’d become entangled in on the ground. My stomach flipped and flopped, threatening to release my last meal, but I was able to hold on through the sensations. On the ground, my fingers shrank but my nails grew. I couldn’t believe this was all happening before my own eyes. It was like an out-of-body experience. Hair sprouted on my thinning arms, first a downy white that darkened to a tan, then copper-colored. My nose twitched and started to grow. I went cross-eyed watching as it blackened and stretched into a muzzle.

“Fallon, are you all right?” I heard Aiden say, but I could not respond to him. My voice no longer worked.

Was I all right? I was better than “all right.” This was incredible! I hopped around, testing my new paws, and tumbled to the ground. A little unsteady but still pretty cool. I wagged my tail. A tail? That was a new sensation all together. I turned around to have a look and ended up spinning in circles chasing it before tumbling to the ground again.

Aiden doubled over with laughter. “I guess that means you’re feeling okay.”

Instead of words, I was only able to let out short woofs and grunts. It suddenly struck me that I could no longer communicate. How was I supposed to talk to Aiden—or the other wolves, for that matter?

“Come sit by me, Fallon.” Aiden said, and this time he was not my boyfriend, he was my Alpha. More than just his tone of voice, it was the way his words felt inside. I wanted to do what he asked. And I did.

Clumsily, I hobbled over, unsteady on the new paws, and sat down beside him.

He looked down at me and I could see the pride in his eyes. “You did great. And you look beautiful, babe.”

I whined, hoping he would understand how odd this all was.

“I know, this is difficult. But you’re doing so well. And wow! You are stunning.”

He circled around me, taking in every inch of my new fur-covered form.

I smiled, or at least I tried to, but I wasn’t sure if it showed with the muzzle I had for a mouth. I wanted to know what I looked like but didn’t know how to convey it to him.

He knelt down eye level with me. “You’re foxy,” he said with a wink. “Now, I’m going to transform too, and we will take a run. You’re going to love this. Remember to stay close to me at all times.”

Foxy? What the heck did he mean? Did I turn into a fox instead of a wolf? Was that even possible?