She’s bare and broken in so many ways but there is something great inside her.
Something we all see.
We shift from wolves to men, and step toward our mate. We’re naked and our hearts are on our non-existent sleeves.
Her body begins to shake, depleted after all the power she just emitted. She has exhausted herself entirely.
Her eyes are filled with tears as she looks at us with wonder. Her lips quiver and she suddenly appears so small.
“Remedy,” I ask, stepping toward her. “What are you?”
17
Remedy
My bare hands started and stopped a fire. My fingers stretched out and ended an earthquake that I began.
I don’t know what I am but I was terrified when the bear appeared. Anger coursed through me and the elements rose from within me—a forest fire and an earthquake began from my mere emotions. The same way they did the night I killed Ray. Anger came forth and he was flung across the room at my slightest touch.
And when the bear looked down at me, all I could think was please don’t let anything happen to Cal or River or East.
And as I thought it, my body took on a mind of its own.
The disasters ended. The bear ran.
I don’t know why this is happening, now. I could have certainly used a powerful internal force when I was living on the streets trying to make ends meet.
As the men lead me home, they ask if this has happened before.
“Not until I came to Ketchikan.”
“When did you first feel the power?” River asks.
I swallow. I may have felt feelings of love toward them in the hot spring, but if I tell them my strength killed Ray they won’t understand. Hell, I don’t understand.
“The night in the tent when the bear attacked me, I was able to push her away. I shouldn’t have been able to do that. And then, the next day, when she found me in the woods, it happened again.”
“Why is this bear so obsessed with you?” East asks.
I shake my head, having no clue. “It’s the one and only bear I’ve seen in my life. And I have no idea why it’s after me.”
“Let’s get you home and in bed. You look exhausted,” River says
I nod. “I feel exhausted.” I look at my hands, the ring I found in the box seems to glow, the wolf paw imprint bright white.
* * *
A few days later, as we walk to the pack meeting, my stomach is a jumble of nerves. I clench my fists, over and over, never having been the center of attention before and scared of what it might entail.
“We don’t have to do this,” River assures me.
Cal takes my hand and my heart pounds, knowing that this really matters to him, and not wanting to fuck it up. Images of me, getting angry and Ray being flung across the room flash through my mind. Not wanting to cause a scene tonight is high on my list of priorities. Keeping my head down seems like the best bet.
The meeting hall is a large building set deep in the woods. It has a shingled roof, with moss and ferns growing from the roofline, and a large chimney with billows of smoke wafting from it. It’s rustic, but still charming. Much like the cottage we call home. Outside there are groups of people milling about, getting beer from a keg and smoking cigarettes. Someone is playing a guitar and the bluegrass music gives the gathering an ambiance I wasn’t expecting.
What was I expecting? I don’t know, maybe a bunch of men with mullets, ripping off flannel shirts and howling at the full moon. I know, not very original, but my experience with anything otherworldly is incredibly limited.
“Hey, Cal,” a man calls, lifting a hand in greeting. Cal nods back. River and East are at our sides. East takes hold of my other hand, and if they were attempting to make a statement, they clearly are.
I feel women turning their heads, eyes locked on our held hands, and I tense, knowing they are making judgment calls as I pass them and walk into the meeting hall. Everyone from outside begins to enter the hall as well, the meeting about to begin. Benches are set up in rows, and several people have already taken seats. Up front, there is a man in a leather jacket, tight jeans, and motorcycle boots commands the room. “Sit, everyone, find a seat,” he calls, and everyone listens, taking his orders. He doesn’t see us enter since we moved with the pack inside.
My men lead me to a seat in the row furthest back, and I relax a little, knowing that people are looking forward, not behind. “You okay?” East asks, squeezing my hand.
I raise an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because when the general assembly shares announcements, Cal plans on marching you up front and presenting you as ours.”