Page 68 of Wind with a Chance of Wolfsbane

She was right. We were out of time.

The restlessness I normally got in the days leading up to a full moon had started. It was harder for me to control my emotions during those days, increasing the likelihood that I’d lose control and do a random shift. The thought of accidentally losing control and others learning the truth that I was a monster left white fur sprouting all over my forearms and the backs of my hands.

Mina didn’t freak.

She took hold of my hands cautiously, knowing there was a chance claws could emerge without warning from my fingertips. “Itwillwork.”

I teared up.

She gave my hands a gentle squeeze. “I promise.”

My gaze went to the fur on my arms.

Mina bent her head some, looking me in the eyes as I averted my gaze. “Willa, think happy thoughts or something.”

Her unexpected nod to Peter Pan left me chuckling and the fur vanishing from my arms and hands.

She faked surprise. “Oh, happy thoughts worked!”

“Dumbass,” I said with a snort.

She winked.

“Sorry about the partial shift thing,” I said, blushing.

“Don’t be. We’re really close to the full moon,” she stated. “You’re doing great and have come really far if you think about it. When you were first turned, you’d do partial shifts a lot and had to wear a lot of long-sleeved shirts and gloves. Remember?”

I groaned. “Yes.”

“See, this is better now,” she returned.

“I never used to have issues with my emotions being all over the place,” I said.

“Pre-shifter you and post-shifter you are two very different be—” As the words left her mouth, she cringed.

“You were going to say beasts, weren’t you?”

She blushed. “Yes. Sorry. Poor choice of words.”

I winked. “It’s okay.”

She sighed.

I laughed. “Seriously, it's fine. And you’re right. I’m not the same person I was. A lot has changed for me. For you too. We’re stronger than we used to be, and I don’t just mean because of what we are now.”

“I know,” she said, hugging me quickly.

“I’m sure you’re right,” I said. “These chains will hold me.”

She released me and nodded.

I used to dread dealing with PMS once a month. That was nearly four full years ago. Before my life had gone to hell in a handbasket. I’d give anything to only have to worry about period mood swings, bloating, and chocolate cravings. My monthly fears now included worrying if I’d wake up naked, far from home, covered in blood, with no memory of the night or my actions, and unsure who or what the blood on me had belonged to.

Mina forced a partial smile to her face. “We should totally set up a camcorder and record the shift and how you’re escaping. I’ve seen you shift before. I’m going to be honest. My brain stops functioning properly when you’re shifting, so I pretty much miss most of it. We could watch the tape back later and analyze it all. It might help us secure you better in the future.”

Horrified at the idea of being recorded and seeing what I look like during it all—or worse, having the recording fall into the wrong hands—I jerked back. “No! We’re not recording me shifting forms.”

“Okay, take it easy,” said Mina with a gesture that begged me to relax. “We’ll table that idea…for now.”

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