Page 15 of The Witch's Shifter
“Faolan,” I say, standing and reaching for him.
But before I can touch his hand, the sound of cracking bones fills the parlor, accompanied by the tearing of fabric.
“Aurora!” Rowan is there suddenly, wrapping his arms around me, shielding me as Faolan’s body contorts in a series of twisting movements. He pulls me back a few steps, pushing me behind him as Faolan lets out a single strained cry.
Then the transformation is complete.
The black wolf standing in the parlor truly is a beast. Its teeth are pure white in the firelight, its lips pulled back in a snarl. It’s so big, it makes the room look like a child’s playhouse. The wolf throws its head back and lets out a howl, the sound so lonely and mournful that it brings moisture to my eyes.
Why does it pain me so?
Then, despite the wounds covering his body, Faolan turns and throws himself through the window in the parlor, shattering the glass and ripping the drapes down in one violent movement. It’s so loud and chaotic that I let out a yelp, and Rowan wraps his arms about my body, holding me safe against his chest.
A crisp wind rushes in, so sudden and powerful that it blows the fire out, leaving me, Rowan, and Alden standing in darkness.
Once more, a howl breaks through the night, echoing over Brookside as it fades into the distance.
Chapter 10
Faolan
THERE ARE NO WORDS—ONLY sensations, only urges. And right now, I’ve got the urge to sink my teeth into something, to rend flesh and bathe myself in blood.
I howl again, pouring my pain into the sound. Everything hurts. The wounds on my body burn with fire as I tear them open once more. But it’s nothing compared to the pain deep inside my chest, lodged in my heart, thrumming through my veins.
Because after all these years, I finally found her—my other half, my soulmate.
But she’s already with another. Withtwoothers.
Why didn’t I see? Why didn’t Iknow?
The scent of her still curls in my nostrils, and I huff it out as if I can banish it from my memory.
The scent of a child. Ofhischild. The red-haired one. He planted his seed within her, and even now, it grows.
Anger chases all the pain from my mind. I push my legs harder, catapulting myself into the darkness of the surroundingforest. If I don’t get far away from here, and fast, I’m going to turn around and go rip his head from his shoulders.
The thought makes my mouth water with desire. How I’d love to tear into him, to take out his throat, to watch the life fade from his eyes.
But then I see another pair of eyes—hereyes.
To harm the red-haired human would cause her pain. And that’s the last thing I want.
I’m torn, my body and mind at war with each other.
So I push myself harder, harder. I run until I lose all sense of self. Until I can give myself fully to the wolf.
Until I’m no longer a man. No longer Faolan.
Until the only pain I can feel is that of my broken body and not that of my broken heart.
Chapter 11
Alden
MY CLOAK DRIFTS UPON THE chill breeze as I move to and from Aurora’s woodshed, carrying the lumber I’ll need to board up the broken window. As soon as Faolan flung his huge body through the glass, shattering the pane like ice, I knew I’d have my work cut out for me. No one in Faunwood produces glass—the process is much too advanced for our little village—so I’ll need to travel to Wysteria and get a new pane from the glassmakers there. Even if all goes well, it’ll take me a few days at least.
Guess the Golden Lantern will have to wait a while longer for its repairs. Thankfully, I think Mrs. Bluewren will understand.
