Page 104 of Wolf's Chance

The shaman picked up a cup and took a drink, swirling it in his mouth. He spat back into the cup. In disbelief, I watched him as he focused on the contents of the cup.

“Human,” he confirmed. I opened my mouth to tell him he already knew that, but a look from Cannon silenced me. “Luna’s influence is light, but it’s there.” He looked up at me, frowning. “Alpha.” He held his hand out.

With wide eyes, I watched as Caleb cut his wrist smoothly, holding his arm out like the request merely inconvenienced him. He didn’t flinch when the shaman repeated the motion and licked his arm.

I was wrong before. These peoplewerecrazy.

I started to tell them that when the shaman looked at Caleb with so much sadness that tears rushed to my eyes, and I couldn’t explain it, but I suddenly felt overwhelmed with sorrow.

“Caleb,” he breathed. “No.”

Caleb’s black stare could have cut him in two. “Enough,” he commanded. “It endsnow.”

The shaman shook his head. “I don’t think it can,” he told him softly. “She’s tied to you, Alpha. Luna deems it so.”

“Sever it,” Caleb spoke through gritted teeth.

“No. I couldn’t and…I won’t. This is what Luna wants.” The shaman looked between us both. “Your hate and rage…” He shook his head again in sympathy. “You know the path you are on, Alpha. Luna demands you turn back.”

“I’mfine.” His voice was like stone, and I almost,almost joked he sounded anythingbutfine, but I wisely kept my mouth shut.

“You’re spiraling,” Cannon spoke, looking down at Caleb’s hands, and I stepped back in shock when I saw the long, curved talons that hadsproutedfrom his hands.

“What the?—”

Cannon stepped between us. “If you care about anything…about her…leave. Now.”

Care about her? Did he mean me? I tried to step around the giant in front of me, but a firm hand pushed me back.

“Gonow.”

I heard a crash, and after a few moments, I saw Cannon’s shoulders drop. I darted around him and saw the doors standing wide apart.

Caleb was gone.

“Caleb?” I ran to the door. “Caleb!”

“You won’t catch him,” the shaman said tiredly as he sat down, halting my leaving.

Turning back to them, I didn’t think they appreciated how fucked up all of this was. “Where is he going? What happened?” Pushing my hair back, I felt tears spill over. “What ishappening? I don’t understand.Tell mewhat just happened?”

“He’s gone.” Cannon looked at me with sympathy.

“I can see that!” I snapped at him in frustration, trying to calm my racing heart. “Will he come back?”

He exchanged a look with the shaman. “I can’t answer that.”

“Then find me someone who can!” I yelled wildly,knowing that fear was riding my senses. I glared at the shaman. “You! You have all the answers, don’t you? Will he come back?”

Silence was my answer.

“What have you done?” I whispered, sinking into the couch.

Something solid but flexible was pushed into my hands, and looking down, I saw a sketch pad. Doc handed me a pen.

“Show us, Willow,” he told me. “Show us what we’ve done.”

With trembling fingers, I took the pen. My heart, oh my God, my heart was beating so fast. Pounding. I dropped the pen, my hands were shaking so badly.

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