“Often?” he asked.
She nodded. “It starts the same. I’m running from him. I realize I’m a wolf and turn back to fight him, but he’s gone. Other times he charges me. The ground, the snow, is covered in blood.”
“Sounds distressing.” Hollis set his cup down.
“Yes,” she agreed.
“Are you always alone?” he prodded.
She shook her head. “Sometimes there’s someone else with me, in a cave. I’m protecting the entrance. I have no idea who or what is inside, but I can’t let anyone in.”
Hollis sat back.
“Mal is with me sometimes. But sometimes he chases after the white wolf and leaves me alone with the rest of them.” She made a funny noise, scrunching up her face at Oscar.
“Rest of them?” he asked.
“A large pack. They all have the same eyes.” She smiled as Oscar yawned. “Tired little thing.”
“He’ll be starving tomorrow. The full moon. Should be interesting.” He shook his head.
“Why?” she asked, sitting up. “Something different?”
“A lunar eclipse,” Hollis said.
Olivia hadn’t been aware of Ellen, leaning against the doorframe until she said, “The first of the blood moon. It will look red, ringed—quite a sight.”
“First?” Olivia asked.
“A lunar tetrad.” Ellen sat on the arm of the couch. “Four lunar eclipses in a row. There are legends linking a lunar eclipse and the wolf. Some foolish, some not.”
Oscar squeaked, his mouth pulling down at the corners.
“Oh, Oscar, don’t do that,” Olivia cooed, scooping him up. “No tears little guy.” She patted his little back, oddly giddy at holding him so close.
“You’ll be a good mother,” Ellen said, nodding. “This pack will grow strong.”
She’d never expected a compliment from the woman—even though she and Mal weren’t ready for a child, it was nice to hear. Olivia glanced down the hall, toward Jessa’s room. “You’re not worried about Jessa? Or the baby?”
Ellen shook her head. “No. There is no danger between mates. It will be better for you, as a wolf. But I believe Jessa will be fine.” She paused. “These dreams you have, do you ever fight the white wolf?”
Olivia glanced at Hollis, uneasy. “No.”
“Why not?”
“A voice tells me I’m not ready.” She shrugged. “And I wake up.”
“You are ready Olivia. Oscar, Jessa, and the baby need you to protect them.” Ellen’s eyes locked with hers. “Your wolf can do it, but you must believe in yourself, in your wolf.”
“How do you know?” Hollis asked.
“Her wolf is still uncertain.” Ellen stood. “You need to learn to shift at will. Come, I will show you. It will help.”
Olivia glanced at Oscar, sleeping in her arms.
“I’ll take him,” Hollis offered, holding out his hands. “You don’t have to do this, Olivia.”
Ellen snorted, dismissing Hollis. “Her wolf wants her to.”