32. Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Eden woke promptly at sunset the following evening. Even without Nero's harried look, the anxiety that coursed through their unfinalized mating bond told her it wouldn't be the night of bliss they'd promised themselves.

"What's wrong?"

"The Citizens released rabid wolves on Oahu. My clansmen have gathered in the shelter for the time being, but I have to go help the others."

Only then did Eden realize she was in an unusual bedroom, smaller, and completely windowless. White wood walls, shiplap perhaps, rose from floor to ceiling, and the small twin bed she'd been laid on was covered in a motherly blue and white quilt.

She vaulted off the bed. "What can I do to help?"

Pride colored his expression as he led her down the hallway and into a larger gathering area in the dome that already held twenty or so Raeths. All of them turned to look at the couple. Or Nero, more precisely. Seamlessly shifting to the authority figure they all expected him to be, he addressed them.

"Nolan, Key, and Geoffrey, take your teams to the north streets and see if you can coax the wolves toward Zeke and Riaz. Key and Zayn, your teams are on the south side with Aidan and Ava. Luna, you'll stay here and cover the shelter downstairs. Jeremiah and Zia are already containing the disturbances with the humans. Go now—and be careful!"

As the clansmen around them dispersed on his order, Eden eyed him warily. "Are you playing defense?"

"No, I'm going to try to find the ones responsible for this mess. The Citizens' Raeth is close by; I can sense him." He looked at her. "If you want to stay and protect the shelter with Luna, she'd be appreciative, but if you want to come with me, I could use the backup."

Ready to aid in any way possible, Eden suddenly froze when he pulled back the curtain to reveal the night beyond. The full moon mirrored itself in the black ocean.

Eden stared at it, blinking as her world shifted around her. A burning sensation smoldered through her veins, a pit hollowing out in her gut. Her limbs began to tremble slightly as the flame rose and the feeling in her stomach intensified.

Claws raked down her insides, shredding at her skin from within, making her hands fist and her nails dig into her palms. Instead of curling in on herself, her spine stiffened as she threw her head backward and shrieked.

Something within her wanted out.

Nero's arms were instantly around her, supporting her trembling frame, as his worried voice sounded in her ear. "What's wrong, Eden? Where are you hurt?"

Even his whisper made her ears burn, the sound too loud.

Groaning, Eden shoved out of his grip, dropping to the floor. The contact with the wood sizzled against her skin. Her nerve endings were on fire, escalating from pins and needles to something akin to shards of glass forcing themselves into every cell. Pressure began pushing impossibly outward, and the resulting sensation nearly ripped her apart.

A scream sounded—her own—but Eden couldn't concentrate on anything outside of the pain. The sound reverberated in her skill, making her moan in agony. Attempting to center herself, she pressed her hand against the floor, digging her fingers in. The wood splintered.

Her eyes snapped open. Inch long claws protruded from her nailbeds, the stark realization of the situation hitting both her and Nero at the same time.

Eden was turning into her wolf.