Page 71 of Fat Betrayed Mate
"It's okay, Maisie," I say, easing the pressure on Edward's throat. "He can't hurt you anymore."
Edward's face contorts with rage. "Weak," he hisses. "All of you. Pretending to be civilized when you're nothing but—"
The sound of vehicles approaching cuts him off. Heavy engines, multiple ATVs, and beneath them, the unmistakable chorus of pack howls. Reinforcements.
"Sounds like your demonstration is canceled," I tell Edward, hauling him to his feet and restraining his arms behind his back.
Nic appears in the doorway first, shifted to his massive wolf form. Behind him come James and three other pack members, all in defensive positions. Nic takes in the scene with one sweeping glance, then shifts back to human, straightening, eyes dark.
"Thomas. Fiona." Relief colors his voice. "Luna woke up. Told us where to find you."
"Perfect timing," I say, shoving Edward toward James, who secures him immediately. "The place is crawling with his people."
"Not anymore." Nic's smile is grim. "We've rounded up most of them. The rest scattered when the pack arrived in force."
His gaze moves to Maisie, still trembling in Fiona's arms, caught in the painful limbo of an incomplete shift. Understanding crosses his face, followed by concern.
"She needs space," he says, already backing toward the door. "We'll secure the building. Take all the time you need."
The other pack members follow, dragging Edward with them. He struggles against James's grip, twisting to spit final venom toward us.
"This isn't over," he snarls. "There are more like me. Hundreds. Thousands. We'll cleanse this infection from humanity if it takes generations."
Nic's hand clamps around the back of Edward's neck, forcing him forward. "Save it for your trial," he says coldly. "The Council of Packs will be very interested in your confession about poisoning your wife."
The door closes behind them, leaving us in sudden, ringing silence. I turn immediately back to Fiona and Maisie, kneeling beside them on the floor.
"He's gone," I tell Maisie, whose eyes are wide with fear. "You're safe now."
Another tremor shakes her small frame, stronger than before. Fur sprouts along her arms, staying this time instead of receding. The shift is progressing whether she's ready or not.
"It's happening," Fiona says, panic edging her voice. "Thomas, what do we do?"
I take Maisie's small hand in mine, noting how the fingers are already shortening, nails darkening into claws. "We help her through it. Together."
Despite everything she's been through, Maisie focuses on me with remarkable clarity.
"Are you really my daddy?" she asks, her voice altered by the partial transformation of her vocal cords. “Mama said so.”
My heart constricts, then expands until I think it might burst from my chest.
"Yes," I tell her, the single word carrying six years of lost moments. "I'm your father, Maisie."
"I knew it," she whispers, wonder briefly overtaking fear. "You smell like me."
A laugh escapes me, unexpected and joyous despite everything. "You're very smart."
Her next words are lost as the shift accelerates, her back arching in pain. I move instinctively, gathering both her and Fiona into my arms, creating a protective circle.
"Don't fight it," I murmur against Maisie's hair. "Let your wolf come. She's part of you."
"It hurts," she sobs, fingers digging into my arm.
"I know, baby. The first time always does. But you're strong. So strong."
Fiona strokes Maisie's hair, her own tears falling freely. "We're both here. Mama and Daddy. We've got you."
The words unlock something in Maisie. Her body relaxes incrementally, surrendering to the inevitable transformation. Fur spreads more evenly now, rich brown like mine, covering her arms, her face, her small torso. Her features elongate, restructuring themselves into a wolf's muzzle. The process is faster than an adult's shift, her malleable child's body adapting more readily to the change.
