by Shay Laurent
First published by Midlothian Press in 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Shay Laurent
ISBN 978-0-6487871-0-5
Editing by Samantha Brennan
www.wordsbysamanthabrennan.com
Cover design by Melony Paradise of Paradise Cover Design
www.paradisecoverdesign.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or school assignment.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This book features Australian spelling such as colour, realise, practise and mum.
Dedication
For Adeline and Jade, my beautiful daughters.
May you both always follow your dreams and achieve any goal you set out for yourselves.
I love you both, always.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Chapter 1
My breath was even. My body, perfectly still. My eyes locked on the large white wolf stalking toward me. A deep snarl ripped from its mouth.
I didn’t move.
My eyes stayed wide, focused on the wolf more than half my height. At each step, I could see muscles tense and release under the coarse fur.
Come on. Just take one more step.
My toes pressed into the ground of the mountain cave, just hard enough to get better traction, but slowly enough to make little noise against the small rocks beneath my feet.
Anticipation pulled my stomach tight. I’d backed myself into a corner, with about three metres on my left and one on my right. Eyes alert, I watched the wolf, looking for any sign that would help me decide which way I should move: a shifting of weight, a flicker of its eyes. But there was nothing.
A game of strategy then. Steady.
The moment its paw landed, I dug my left toes in hard and launched myself to the right. Less space, but also less expected.
Too far.
Blood dripped from my arm, emitting a sickly tangy smell that caused me to feel nauseated. Ignoring the sting as well as the unsettled feeling in my stomach, I sped back towards the main cavern. My overestimation had cost me. I could feel the wolf’s hot breath on my back as the snap of its teeth sounded in my ears.
Don’t look back. Go!
With the cave entrance in sight, I could practically taste victory. The crisp morning air from the mountains embraced me and the white snowfall that sheeted the ground called to me. I just had to get one foot out.
Yes!
No.
My foot was an inch from the ground when I felt the wolf's nose shove my lower back. The jolt pushed me face first into the sleet. My arms managed to save me from hitting the ground hard enough to get a headache, but they weren’t quick enough to prevent the mouthful of slush. Snow spluttered from my mouth as I turned to face the beast with a scowl.
The wolf was close enough that I could see the sharp white canines capable of ripping flesh to shreds, and the soft fur that ran underneath its coarse outer coat. Impatience had me tapping my fingers.
The wolf’s sharp blue eyes cut into mine a moment before the air around its body began to shimmer; the woodsy colours shivering and colliding through the transformation. Within a few seconds, a man was standing tall in front of me, his clothes rippling in the icy breeze. He bent down and reached his rough, callused hand out to help me to my feet. I took it and felt myself rush from the ground as he yanked me up, the cold air biting straight through my wet clothes.
‘Easy, Dad. Wolves aren’t meant to fly!’
He gave me a hard stare. A puff of air, white from the cold, escaped from my mouth as I sighed.
Here it comes.
‘Elita, you know the caves like the back of your hand. Why did you let yourself get caught in the corner?’
My cheeks heated and I stared at the mountain a little to his right. ‘I was distracted.’
Dad sighed. ‘By what?’ Not waiting for an answer, he walked back towards the cave entrance.
‘About going to the Academy! I’m almost sixteen, Dad! I need to go—’
‘No. You want to—’
Exasperated, I threw my hands into the air. ‘No, Dad. I need to go. I need to be with other wolves, with a pack. It’s like a part of me is missing! I need friends like me, not these humans. People that understand me...’ Seeing the hurt look flash through his eyes, I quickly added, ‘...as well as you.’
The guilt on his face made me sick to my stomach. I shuffled my feet slightly and chewed on the inside of my cheek, determined to stop myself from just telling him not to worry about it again.
Minutes ticked by and my anxiety grew with each second. Resigned, I opened my mouth to relent when I noticed him hesitate.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I begged. ‘Please, Dad! It’s almost halfway through the school year already. I need to go. Please!’
Anguish tore across his face. I couldn’t understand it. All Shifter kids went to the Academy the year they turned sixteen, when they’d make their first Shift.
My chest constricted as I watched him close his eyes and take a deep breath. When he opened them, I could still see worry plain on his face. He shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, kiddo. No. You need to finish off your training session. Let’s go.’
Without another word, Dad Shifted back to his wolf form and took off. Disappointment flooded through me and tears pricked my eyes, but I knew that if I didn’t get a move on, he’d be out of sight. If I wasn’t in view when he turned around at our house, it’d be one hundred sit-ups on top of the run, and my body was already burning from our evasion drill.
Stupid human legs. Hurry up, birthday!
Despite being unable to Shift yet, I still moved faster than a full-blooded human and my senses were heightened too, so even with the tears blurring my vision it wasn’t difficult to dodge the trees as I sprinted. I wiped the wetness from my face with my sleeve and kept focus on the giant white wolf in front of me, as I followed his path down the mountainside.
Lungs and legs burning, I finally reached the flat at the base of the mountain. Training with Dad was never easy.
By the time I was close to home, I’d managed to mostly pull myself together. Determined to avoid sit-ups, I forced my tired legs to continue sprinting. The last tree entered my peripheral vision as Dad Shifted and walked up the back steps. A flash of red at the end of our porch caught my eye. It was a woman. I stopped in surprise but when Dad rushed over and started speaking to her, I cautiously continued forward.
One step at a time I crept closer until I could see her more clearly. W
hen her scent hit me, my heartbeat became an excited jitter.
She’s a Shifter!
I quickened my pace in case Dad tried to rush her away. Her gaze flickered over to me as I neared.
At the top of the porch steps, I turned expectant eyes briefly to my dad, then looked at the tall, thin woman with the blazing red hair.
Reluctance clear in his voice, he introduced her. ‘Elita, this is Genevieve Stone. She’s... an old friend.’
‘Hi! It’s nice to meet you, Genevieve.’ I stuck out my hand to shake hers. Her firm but gentle grip was paired with a smile and amused emerald eyes.
‘Hello, Elita. It’s lovely to see you again. You have your mother’s eyes.’
I spun to my Dad and just caught the sharp look he threw at his friend. Ignoring him, I seized my chance.
‘You knew my mum?’
She smiled lightly, avoiding my dad’s glare. ‘I did. Though the last time I saw her was when you were a baby. That was when I first met you.’
Questions buzzed in my brain, one after another, like a swarm of bees. Dad cut my first question off before it started.
‘You can ask questions later, Elita. Go and have a wash now and I’ll call you when dinner is ready.’
His pointed look let me know I wasn’t to argue about the decision. Frustrated, I huffed and scrunched up my nose. Genevieve laughed.
‘Don’t worry Elita, I’m not leaving, but I do need to go to the stable and feed my horse now that she would have cooled down. She’s a—’
‘You have a Valido?’
She smiled. ‘I see you already know about Shifter horses.’
I grinned back. ‘I sure do. I’ve only ever seen a couple and from a distance, but I’ve read a lot about them. Can I see it?’
Dad interjected again, this time cutting off his friend. ‘Later, kiddo. Off you go. Now.’
My nostrils flared as I heaved another sigh. Taking one last look at Genevieve, I stalked off inside the house, new questions buzzing around by the second.
STANDING INSIDE MY bedroom door, hair dripping down my back after washing it, I tried my hardest to listen to the conversation going on downstairs. They were being too quiet.
Ugh! I need to know what they’re saying.
Years of stealth training front and centre in my mind, I tiptoed onto the landing outside my room, taking care to avoid the creaking floorboards. It was almost painful to move so slowly, knowing I was missing out on potentially vital information. Weight balanced on the railing to keep quiet, I inched down the stairs. The second their words were clear, I stopped and lowered myself onto a step to listen.
‘—only has three weeks and she won’t be able to attend the Academy, Raphael. You know the rules. They don’t take kids after they have already started Shifting, except in extenuating circumstances. I know you have those but, in your case, I don’t think they’ll work in her favour.’
‘She’s not going, Gen.’ He paused, then added, ‘It’s not safe for her.’
‘Nonsense. It is as safe for her as... Fine. Maybe not as safe, but safe enough.’
‘And what if something goes wrong with her Shifting? What will happen then?’
What?! Why would something go wrong with my Shifting?
Genevieve’s voice became more gentle. ‘I’ll keep an eye on her. You won’t lose her too.’
Is he crying?
‘Raph, you can’t put this off forever,’ Genevieve continued. ‘There are things she needs to learn and understand that you aren’t able to teach her. Before it’s too late. It isn’t safe or smart to keep her in the dark any longer.’
More silence, then Dad sighed heavily. ‘She doesn’t need to know everything, Gen. But... you’re right. I know you are. Her mother never would have wanted this either.’ He was quiet for a few more moments, then his voice returned. ‘Promise me you’ll watch over her at the Academy.’
‘Of course. You’re doing the right thing, Raph. I’ll keep you updated on her progress by raven.’
My heart thundered so loudly in excitement, I was sure they’d hear it. Genevieve had achieved what I’d been trying to do for months.
Why didn’t she get here sooner?!
The sound of food cooking became clearer in the silence below. I slid forward on the step ready to make a run for it if needed, but I was reluctant to miss more of the conversation. As I was about to move, Dad spoke again. ‘Gen, there’s one more thing. I... I need you to tell her one of the old stories for me. The Crone Infiltration. I just... couldn’t, you understand?’
She answered with a subdued voice. ‘I understand. I’ll tell her on the way.’
The sound of plates being pulled from the shelves startled me. Using the railing again, I snuck back to my room, ready to be called for dinner. The grin on my face was so wide it hurt.
I’m going to the Academy!
Within minutes Dad’s voice drifted up the stairs. ‘Elita, dinner!’
Okay. You can do it, just keep a straight face.
Air rushed by as I zoomed downstairs and into the dining room. Seated at the table, I got a look at Dad’s face. He was crestfallen. The excitement that had made my blood pound through my body slowed. Instead of dwelling on his glum mood, I focused on the smell of dinner and was surprised to discover that Dad had thoroughly cooked the steak, even though we had company. The fact that I didn’t feel sick told me it wasn’t done wolf style: placed in the heat and then turned almost immediately.
Bleh!
‘Don’t worry, Elita. Genevieve is a friend, like I said. She doesn’t mind the occasional cooked steak.’ He gave me a small forced smile. ‘Though you may need to get used to the smell since you’ll be leaving for the Academy in the morning.’
‘Really?! You’re letting me go? Why now? Why’d you change your mind?’
Dad shook his head and looked a little bemused despite his lingering sadness. Genevieve gave a small chuckle then started eating.
‘Yes. Genevieve—or Miss Stone to you since she’ll be one of your teachers—has managed to convince me that I should let you go. I only agreed because I know she’ll be keeping an eye on you. A close eye. I’ll let her tell you about the school stuff, but I’ve kept you up to date with most of the lessons and training. And I imagine you’ll be ahead of others in your weapons skills.’
A squeal of delight slipped out.
I can’t believe this is happening! I get to go to the Academy and make some Shifter friends! Oh—
‘Is there a library?’
‘There is,’ said Miss Stone. ‘It’s quite large, and has a lot of books and some comfortable spots to sit by the fire.’
Yes. Yes. Yes!
‘What about other Shifter kids? How many are there? Where will I stay?’
Miss Stone laughed outright this time, her emerald eyes twinkling in the light from the gas lamp that rested on the edge of our wooden table. ‘There are ten to fifteen students in each year who come from the three Packs, usually a pretty even mix of boys and girls. All students sleep in the dorms, but you’ll have your own room.’
Glee filled my insides and I turned to Dad with a grin so wide it hurt my cheeks. ‘Thank you, Dad. You’re the best! And we’re leaving in the morning you said, right?’
Dad shifted in his seat. ‘I won’t be able to take you, kiddo. I’m sorry. You’ll be going with Miss Stone.’
My shoulders drooped at the news. ‘Why can’t you take me?’
‘I’ve already made arrangements to meet someone from the Trevini Pack. I need to leave tomorrow as well. You were going to stay with old Mrs Rodgers, remember?’
‘Oh, yeah. But you’ll come and see me soon, right? For my birthday?’
My chest tightened when he refused to meet my gaze and instead kept his focus on the plate in front of him. ‘I’ll do my best, kiddo, but I’m not sure how long my trip will take.’ Suddenly, he looked right into my eyes. ‘When it’s your time to Shift, if I don’t make it back in time, I want you to do it by yourself. Not wi
th friends. If anything is... odd, just wait and tell me, or see Miss Stone. Okay?’
Odd? Why is he being so weird?
‘Why would something go wrong when I Shift?’
‘I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m probably just being over-protective, like usual.’ He gave me a gruff smile that was closer to his usual one.
Relief settled my speeding heart at his reassurance, but the thought continued to niggle at the back of my mind as I ate the last of my dinner.
‘All right. You’re finished. Go pack your stuff. You can use my suitcase.’
I looked at Miss Stone. ‘But—’
‘You’ll have plenty of time for questions later. You don’t have plenty of time to pack. Off you go.’
Disgruntled about not getting to ask anymore questions, but too excited to really let it get me down, I rushed up to my room to pack.
It was official. I was going to the Academy.
FINGERS CLENCHED AROUND Dad’s suitcase handle, I made my way down our front steps and over to the small wooden carriage in the clearing. Miss Stone was connecting her horse to the front of it.
Wow!
The Valido was huge. Its sleek, midnight-coloured coat shined in the early morning light.
Miss Stone’s sudden chuckle made me realise that in the midst of gawking at the beautiful beast, I’d moved much closer.
‘Sorry, she’s just so beautiful... and still.’
Miss Stone nodded as her hands ran down the horse’s soft, wavy mane in rhythmic strokes. ‘You can pat her if you like. Her name’s Ivy.’
Excited at the prospect, I nodded and placed Dad’s suitcase on the ground then stepped closer. Hesitantly, I lifted my own hand and patted the glossy fur in the same way she had.
The movement of Miss Stone’s flaming hair caught my attention and I turned to follow her gaze. My Dad was outside and had locked up the door, a small pack resting over his shoulder.
Chest tight, I raced over and gave him a hug. After a moment he stepped back and wiped away the tears I hadn’t noticed falling from my face.
‘Alright, kiddo. We all need to go,’ he said gruffly.
