Page 64 of Father of the Wolf

“But I’m still human?” At least, mostly human, if Granny wasn’t on an acid trip and they truly were descended from a giant named Loki.

“This ability to bond allows us to mate with humans. With the bonding, my magic becomes yours. You will be able to do nearly all I can. Otherwise, I would be forced to watch you grow old and die.”

“Will I be able to read emotions like you do?” That would be neat. “And share them?”

“Yes. But I thought you might be more interested in shape shifting.” He chuckled when her eyes widened.

“Do you mean that I’ll be able to change into a wolf?”

“After you learn how. That may take a while. Possibly years.”

“So, I will become a werewolf!” She laughed. What a howling great joke on her! All her research and fears during the past month, and she would be one of the hairy hounds anyhow after bonding with Athair.

“Sort of.”

“I’ve been worrying that by biting the one who attacked me, I would become a werewolf. And now I find out that I’ll change into one anyway. I’ve been worrying about the full moon for no reason.”

“You can’t become one of us from a bite. His, or yours. I thought you understood that. Indeed, you still won’t be one of us, but you’ll be able to use my magic as your own.”

“I guess I didn’t believe you. I’m still not sure I should, since it looks like I will be changing anyhow.” She thought it was funny how things worked out. She would howl at the moon, but now she would have company. The idea of him at her side made the picture much more appealing.

“I am lost for words. I thought you’d be happy about the bonding.”

Hope felt the hurt that her thoughtless words had caused him and regretted bringing him any pain. She reached up to cup his cheek in her palm and gently kissed him until his body relaxed against hers. “I am happy about loving you, but I didn’t know what all came with the relationship. Maybe if you tell me more, then I’ll understand.” She wondered how soon he could show her how to change.

“What would you like to know?”

He’d been in wolf form the night he’d been hurt, which hadn’t had a full moon. “Can you change shape anytime you want to, or only on a full moon?”

“Unless we are hurt, we can shift forms at any time. If we are injured seriously, we usually revert to wolf form. Actually, without our magic, we would only have human form during the three nights the moon is at its fullest. Otherwise, we are trapped within the wolf. Because you are not affected by Vali’s Curse, you never have to fear that fate. What else? Do you have questions about the different powers?” At her nod, he continued. “I told you about controlling the weather, and you have seen the healing. You have experienced empathy and telepathy. Dàn has the gift of foresight, which is quite rare. A few others can see ghosts and speak with the dead.”

She thought about the good she could do at her clinic with the healing magic. “Can you talk to ghosts?”

“No, I can’t.”

That was a relief. She could just imagine ghosts seeking him out. “What else? I want to know everything.”

“Some can change into other animal forms. Some have affinity with certain elements.”

“What would an affinity with elements be like?” She couldn’t imagine what that meant.

“Lasair can control fire; Leth has a link with wind. Both Leth and Lasair can speak with animals. Reultan can use his voice to channel his empathy. Allaidh can see into a person’s heart as seen in their aura.”

“Wow! What else?” Great, so one of them was a pyromaniac. And what use would seeing auras be?

“There are many more magical skills, but the most common are shape-shifting, empathy, healing and telepathy.

“What magic will I have?” She was intimidated by most of the magical skills, but wanted to learn more about healing as soon as she could. It was amazing she had already planned to open the clinic and now may have the chance to learn skills that would make her even more successful in healing animals in need.

“I believe you will have my magic and perhaps some wild manifestations, as well. I can do many different forms of magic, but I’m not particularly strong in any one area.”

She had a lot to think about. She remembered he had been worrying over something earlier. “Are you going to tell what you are worrying about?”

“Two things.” His breath blew lightly against her hair. “One is that I’m afraid tomorrow’s meeting will not go well.”

“What makes you say that? It might work out if the traitors respect Granny and will listen to reason.” She had a bad feeling about the meeting as well, but she didn’t want fear to mar their time together.

“Dàn will tell me nothing of what will come. He says it is still unknown.”

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