Page 16 of It All Started with a Bite

A muscle jumped in Samuel’s jawline. “We should have sent him to rehab, like I’d suggested.”

I was in agreement. Rehab sounded like a nice place for Hugh to keep out of trouble and not turn random strangers into werewolves. Shame they didn’t decide to do it before he bit me.

Hugh opened his mouth to protest and closed it hastily at his brother’s glower.

I raised my hand. “Excuse me. I know we’re all disappointed in Hugh, but I have a burning question. Can I be turned back?”

The Hawthornes studied me like I’d grown a second head.

“No,” Samuel finally said. “Once turned, you can never go back.”

“Samuel is right,” Victoria affirmed.

A bout of acid burned the back of my throat. I swallowed the urge to scream or punch something. Deep down inside, I’d suspected that was the case, but it still stung to hear it.

“What about the bond thing?” I said sharply. “Can that be reversed?”

Victoria exchanged a guarded look with Samuel. “No. The mate bond is permanent.” She hesitated. “The only thing that can break it is death.”

Ellie sucked in air. Bo’s ears flattened.

My hands curled into fists.

“Shouldn’t I have been consulted before that kind of thing happened?” I asked in a dangerous voice.

“The mate bond isn’t something you choose.” Victoria frowned. “It’s fate. Neither mate has any control over it.”

I lowered my brows, fury a bitter taste on my tongue. “Fate needs better timing!” I snarled. “I like my life just the way it is. I don’t need werewolves in it or a”—I cut my eyes to Samuel—“mate.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Victoria said adamantly. “You’ll just have to come to terms with your new life.” She hesitated. “Ideally before your first shift on the next full moon.”

I blinked, the rage draining out of me. I’d forgotten about the full moon situation.

“That’s in three days, right?” Ellie quavered.

“Yes.”

I realized the Hawthornes were avoiding my eyes. “What?”

Hugh gave in to my suspicious glare first.

“The first transformation can be, er, difficult,” he admitted nervously.

My stomach clenched. I did not like the sound of that.

“Shut up, Hugh,” Samuel snapped.

“She should know this, Samuel.” Sympathy softened Victoria’s face a little as she studied me. “The first transformation will feel like every bone and organ in your body is breaking simultaneously. It gets better after that.”

My head started ringing.

Ellie reached over and took my hand, her own trembling.

I squeezed her fingers and swallowed hard. “What happens if I decide not to shift?”

Victoria’s expression turned grave. “That’s not an option. Fighting the change can drive a werewolf insane.” She faltered. “Or kill them.”

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