Page 26 of The Fate of Eternity

“Not so good.” It’s the truth. I don’t know whether she deserves it, but if Cassian trusts her, then I have to as well.

“Cassian mentioned something about pains from being away from the blood moon?”

I rub my lips together nervously as I nod again. “Apparently.”

“Hurt like a bitch?” she questions, and I scoff. The little tension clinging to my stance that I hadn’t realized still resonated is gone.

“That feels like an understatement,” I admit, earning a half smile from her.

“Accurate.” She takes her eyes off me, looking out into the darkness for a beat before she looks back at me. “Do you feel any better since getting here?”

“So much,” I admit with a sigh, and she nods.

“Good. Usually, it’s just a trembling in your veins until the moon peaks and you shift, so hopefully now you won’t endure much else,” she explains before she suddenly starts waving her hand at me. “Oh, oh, let me guess your color.”

“My color?” I repeat with a frown, and her grin grows wider.

“Your fur,” she offers as she slowly walks in a small circle around me. I’m rooted to the spot, my pulse ringing in my ears. I can’t figure out why, but I think it’s because I’m nervous that she’s judging my wolf, and no one is allowed to do that. Ever. “Hmm, I’m going to have to go with white,” she declares as she comes to a stop in front of me, and all I can do is gape at her in response.

“How did you guess that?”

She shrugs. “I’m awesome, I can’t help it.”

This time it’s my smile that takes over. I can see why Cassian trusts her, and the closeness I feel between them only intensifies with the knowledge. I can also see a few similar traits between them, like all the time they’ve spent together has strengthened their bond to make them a true family, thus, they’ve taken similar traits from one another. It warms my heart knowing Cassian had someone here among all the madness.

“So, you’ve shifted, dealt with the intense pain and all that, but have you tested out your speed, hearing, and new scentabilities?” she asks, leaving me to gape at her once again when I can’t find the strength to say no. She shakes her head with a humoring smile. “I’ll take your silence as a no.”

Clearing my throat, I give her a playful pout. “I’m that obvious, huh?”

“No, you’re new, but we’ve already established you’re a warrior, so you’re going to catch on quick,” she promises, linking my arm like Flora does as she walks me deeper into the forest area.

“I hope so.”

“I know so,” she retorts, the promise clear, and I shake the nerves threatening to consume me.

“What now?” I ask when I’m certain I’m ready for whatever she’s going to throw at me.

“Now, we have some fun.”

13

ADRIANNA

“Hey! You’re not supposed to be faster than me,” Janie exclaims as we both come to a stop outside her restaurant. A grin spreads across my face, excitement blossoming in my gut when I don’t feel remotely out of breath.

“What can I say? Beginner’s luck?”

Janie rolls her eyes at me as she shoves at my shoulder. “Fuck off, we both know it’s not that. Unfortunately for me,” she grumbles, making me snicker as her playfulness turns into another arm link as she sighs. “For real, though, that was some awesome shit. Your speed is amazing, and your hearing and sense of smell are on par, too. You’re rocking it,” she insists, validating me in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

“The speed is blowing my mind,” I admit, squeezing her arm in a wordless thank you for her help. “When Cassian used his speed to move me, I always wound up trying to hold back a mouthful of vomit by the time we stopped, but now that I’m the one in control of it; it’s slightly addicting.”

Laughter echoes around us at my admission when words cut through the air, making us pause.

“Having fun?”

I whip my gaze around to find Cassian leaning against the tree to my left. He looks too freaking hot with his shoulder flat against the bark and his legs crossed at the ankle.

“No, I hate her. That’s why I’m laughing,” Janie says with a snort, earning an eye roll from the man in question.

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