Page 107 of Red's Beast

Tell them you know what I'm saying.

"Maybe he's tired from his fainting spell. Sometimes they can make you quite cranky," Emmeline giggles, but we both know the truth. She knows I'm fed up with her not sharing what she knows and not telling them what I've said. "I'm sure he'd love to be able to talk to you for himself."

What is that supposed to mean? Why are you so cryptic? Have I mentioned how much I hate witches and their riddles? This is ridiculous!

My words come out as growls and, of course, they are aimed at her, causing my mother to gasp.

"Lucian, are you being rude or trying to tell us something? I wish I could hear you again." Ma leans down to stroke the fur on my head and it kind of soothes me for a moment before I become riled again. "Oh, come now, Lucian. Let's just go to our house and maybe things will settle down."

Emmeline shoots me a look, but I'm not sure what it even means. With a snort, I turn and head up the trail like we were before my fainting spell.

I hear mumbles behind me, but I don't pay them any attention. My only focus is getting far away from Emmeline or as far as I can, then maybe I can communicate with my family.

Stopping, I look down at my paws and flex them. Can I maybe draw in the dirt? It's not like I can hold a writing utensil right now.

I feel my mother's hand stroke down my back as she walks by. "Come along. It isn't much further and we'll be home."

I follow them silently up the path, and in a few moments, I see their little cabin. It reminds me of the cottage back home, butwith a more rustic look. I just look at it and smile. Well, as best as I can.

We are all together again, but sadly, I know it’s not like before. This is another realm and who knows where it even is?

Ma opens the door for me and ushers me inside first. My father and brother follow, then she softly closes the door.

"Lucian, what do you have to tell us?" Pa asks. "I knew you were trying to warn us, and that Emmeline was up to something."

Logan laughs. "My gosh, it was hard keeping my cool. She knows way too much about what is happening back home and always has. That woman gives me the creeps."

I sigh, but it comes out like a garbled noise. At least they don't trust her, and I’m relieved to know they were just playing along.

Lillian

Grandmother and I stare down at Corbin’s glowing hooves for a few seconds before I realize this could be a good sign.

“He can turn back into a man, right?”

A feeling of dread washes over me at the very thought of him becoming a man again. I remember all the times he has tormented me and how it could become like that again. It doesn’t matter if I’m the alpha now. He will try to make my life a livingnightmare all over again and it might be worse now that he has become a goat because of me.

I can hear his ranting now that if I had just mated with him, then the ceremony would have not become a disaster.

"I’m not sure about this.”

"Child, what are you hesitant about? He is your ticket to finding the beast,” Grandmother says with a chuckle. “What other choice do you have?”

The goat backs away slowly, looking cautiously around as if he is trying to find a way to escape. I quickly reach for his rope and grab it, pulling him back to me as he tries to resist. "Stop it, Corbin. If we need your help, you will do it. It's the least you can do for all you put me through."

My own words shock me. Where did those come from? I am suddenly direct and firm, though I've never spoken that harshly before in my life. Grandmother cuts her eyes at me with a faint smile pulling at her lips.

"That's my girl."

I bite at my lower lip as I look at Corbin again. He looks hesitant to do anything, even in goat form.

"Change back," I command, but I don't lace it with my alpha abilities.

His hooves quit glowing and he takes a step back, pulling the rope as far as he can go away from me.

"Corbin," I say in a sterner voice. "Change back."

He shakes his head no, and I feel confused.

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