Page 1 of Cursed Wolfsbane

CHAPTER 1

BRIAR

“Open your eyes, child.”

My eyes snap open at the strangely familiar voice, and I realize I’m soaring through the air. I’m flying toward one of the men on the ground.

I could have sworn I was standing still before I closed my eyes.

“You were.”

Why is there a voice in my head? And why does it sound like my mom’s friend in my weird dream?

Aw, man. I’m totally going crazy. Everything has finally caught up with me, and I’ve lost every last marble I have. It was bound to happen at some point. I’m surprised I made it this long without a mental breakdown.

“You are not crazy, child. I am your wolf.”

I don’t have a chance to respond because I land on top of the goon’s chest. His wide, terrified eyes meet mine, and he lets out a girly little scream.

Snorting internally at his reaction, I’m surprised when it comes out as a weird chuffing sound.

Before I can think too much about it, my jaws wrap around his throat. My teeth clamp together around his vulnerablewindpipe. With a shake of my head and a pull, I rip out the man’s throat. Warm, coppery blood gushes into my mouth. I should be grossed out by it. Instead, I savor the taste of his death as I watch the light drain from his muddy-brown eyes.

It feels like I’m a passenger in my own body. While I can see everything happening, I’m not in control of any of it.

“I am in control. Once you are used to this form, I will cede control.”

I’m about to ask what form the voice is talking about when my head dips down. I see two gigantic paws instead of my body. They’re covered in jet-black fur that looks like the same shade as my hair.

Holy shit.I have paws. And fur.

Peering behind me, I see a sleek fur-covered body, hind legs, and a fluffy black tail.

Oh my God.

I’m a wolf.

I’ve turned into a fucking wolf!

I guess the wolfsbane Patrick forced me to drink worked after all.

A groan from my right yanks me from my perusal of myself. Whipping my head around, I see Xander on the ground. All the heartbreak comes crashing back into me. A pained whine makes its way out of my throat. It’s hard to breathe through the grief choking me at losing him.

“He is not dead. Silver isn’t fatal to wolves. I have also seen many mortal wounds in my lifetimes, and that is not one of them.”

I’m about to argue when Xander blinks open his amber wolf eyes. They’re unfocused until they meet mine. My legs threaten to give out from underneath me. I’ve never been so relieved to see a set of amber eyes in my entire life.

Xander stares at me for a moment, like he doesn’t understand what he’s seeing. Then his eyes widen, and he struggles to stand up.

“Stop, you dummy. You’re hurt!” I try to say. It comes out as a series of barks instead, which makes sense since I’m apparently a wolf now.

Jesus Christ. How did this become my life?

Even though I just bark, Xander still gets the message. He lays his gigantic blond head back down. His chest rapidly rises and falls as he pants from the pain and the exertion of trying to get up.

I want to go to him, but I’m not sure how to get there. A thought is all it takes, I guess. I bound over to him. My head dips down, and I give him a sloppy, wet lick across his face with my humungous tongue, leaving a trail of slobber on his snout.

Gross.

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