Page 77 of Fight
"This is going to be a little shocking, Reese, but we have a proposition for you.An offer."
"You have an offer for me?"He repeated.
I nodded."I realize you probably aren't aware, but we're all Kitsune.We know you are too, and that you don't shift."I caught an unfamiliar scent in the air.
"You're scaring him," Caden said from his seat..
"We're not here to hurt you or to harass you.We had plenty of time to do that while alone on the boat with you."I reasoned."Why would I invite more witnesses and invite you to my room for that?"I tried to calm him.The scent of fear faded some and a look of confusion crossed his face.
"I...if you know I don't shift, what do you want with me?"
"I want to give you the opportunity to shift."I said.
"That's not possible."He shook his head.
"Actually, it is."Devon spoke for the first time since greeting Reese."Three months ago I was just like you.A non-shifter, with no hope of ever shifting, knowing it just wasn't possible.Now, because of Nickie and Alexis, I shift as though I've been doing it all along."
"You're teasing me, tormenting me."Reese seemed sure.
"Actually no, we're not."I assured him."I can't guarantee that it will work, but I'm offering you another opportunity to try."
"But, how?"
"It seems that I have a rare combination of talents, that allows me to sense an animal form inside someone who's never shifted.Not being able to sense that animal form, is what keeps most who can call animal forms from being able to shift you."
Reese nodded.What I was saying apparently matched with what he'd been told."It's as simple as you can sense the wolf, when no one else could?"He sounded almost lost.
I shook my head."I wouldn't say that, but it's a major factor."I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, giving myself a few seconds to think."You need to understand, we've only tried this once."
Reese turned to Devon."On you?"
Devon nodded."On me."
"But it worked?"
"It did, but the process took both of them."Devon motioned to Alexis and me."Alexis is our pack healer, she watched what was going on inside me, as Nickie tried to call my wolf and she found something wrong.She fixed it, and had Nickie try again, that time it worked.I shifted."
Reese turned back to me."And you think it will work with me?"
"I think it could.I can't make promises, but I can tell you I can sense your wolf.I can feel him and I should be able to call him.Assuming the same thing that kept Dev from shifting, is what's keeping you from shifting, we should be able to shift you."
"Wow."Reese looked at his hands where they hung between his knees.
"I realize it's a lot to take in.We're not asking for an instant decision."
Reese looked up at me."It's a big decision."He agreed.
I nodded."I know, and we're not going to pressure you either way."
"You need to know that if you choose to try to shift and it works, you'll be expected to join the local pack."Alexis put in.
"We've already spoken with the local Anikitos.He's aware of what we're offering you and he's said he'll accept you as part of the pack."I said.
"Who all knows about this?"He sounded nervous.
"Just a few.We don't want you pressured into a decision that you'll regret.My Anikitos found you.We've spoken with the local Anikitos to get his permission and his enforcer knows, of course.I'm sure you know that unless you're a close personal friend, the Anikitos always has an enforcer close at hand."I said.
Reese nodded then shook his head."No one's talked to my family?"
