26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Bri

T he sound of muffled voices slowly pulls me back to awareness. The burning sensation that enveloped me with his bite had me seeing stars before there was only darkness. Every nerve in my body felt singed by the lava that erupted in my veins. Fire consumed me, and at its peak, only pain existed.

Once the darkness took over, there was peace. Silence that felt like renewal as healing followed the burn like a salve.

"Firefly?" Cain's voice is closer now, and I can almost feel the proximity of his hand before it touches me. His palm connects lightly with my cheek.

My eyes sluggishly peel themselves open, and the first thing I register is the concern etched into his forehead.

Oh no… what's wrong?

"How long was I down?" I ask, rolling my shoulders to find them not stiff or tight but reactive as I sit up.

Cain's eyes are examining and dissecting every inch of me. His eyes stop on the flesh of my shoulder where he bit me.

"How do you feel?" he says quickly, his voice so low it's almost a whisper.

"Fine, I think?" I reply, starting to worry. "Did something happen while I was out?" I attempt to look down at my shoulder, and I don't see anything that would cause alarm. The bite mark left by his teeth is now just a faded pink.

That's normal, right? Rapid healing and all that.

"Cain… you're scaring me. Say something," I put both hands on his face and pull his eyes to mine. Fear radiates from him, and I see sweat forming on his brow.

Mate.

The voice feels foreign and tickles at the back of my skull.

"Welcome to the Vegas Pack, Brielle DelaCourt. Pack Member 9878. Initiated by Cain Mingan," a voice from over Cain's shoulder says pulling my attention, and I realize Ghost is back on the phone.

"Thanks," I say, leaning around Cain. "How'd your ‘beach' mission go?" I ask, taking my hands off Cain's face to make air quotes.

"I'll let you know when I do it. Always knew you were impatient; just never really realized how stubborn that part of you was, City. Well, I'll leave you to it," he says before giving a two-fingered salute and disconnecting from the call.

Bri: What's wrong?

Cain's eyes bulge, and his jaw drops at my question.

Cain: Can you hear me?

Bri: Of course, I can…

It's then I realize I'm staring at his face, and his lips haven't moved.

Bri: Holy Fuck, I'm talking into your head!

Cain: Shouting, really, but yeah…

"Sorry!" I say out loud, my hands covering my lips despite not using them to shout.

"It's ok. Managing that will come later. We need to get you to shift," he says, his concern returning to his expression.

"Okay, how do I do that?" I ask, wondering if I'm unaware of some new button inside me.

"You have to give control to your wolf. Can you feel or hear her in your head?" he asks.

Hello?

Are you in here?

Mate.

Shit!

I nod. My eyes showing the surprise I feel hearing her again.

"You have to let her take charge," he says, trying to encourage me.

Let her take control.

Sure.

No Problem.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I concentrate on letting her in.

Okay, you're on.

Anytime…

I open one eye, looking around.

Nothing

Work with me here.

Kind of hard to take control when you won't move.

Move? It's my body! Where am I supposed to go?

Away.

Well, I'm trying!

"Just breathe, Firefly. It's a little like falling asleep. Clear your mind and relax," Cain says, the words making complete sense but not helping at all.

"I'm trying," I say through clenched teeth. Not relaxed. Not calm.

Just give up control. Just let go.

I'm waiting.

Well, you could try to force your way in. I've seen Cain's wolf do it. Can't you do that?

Do you think you would still be in charge if I could?

His hands slide slowly up my arms, grounding me in the moment and forcing me to focus on his touch.

"Do you want me to help you? I could try command," he offers.

"I guess it couldn't hurt," I say, shrugging.

Since I can't do it on my own.

"Okay, shift ," he says, command entering his voice.

And just like that, darkness.