Page 35 of Severed By Magic

“I’m not sure how,” I admitted. This wasn’t like the bond. I had a real connection to my guys that was constantly growing. How was I supposed to reach out to people I didn’t know?

“Have you ever sensed another wolf?”

Yeah, I had. “At the Academy, I felt like one was following me. I heard its howls when no one else could.”

He nodded. “Good. That’s good. That was a member of our pack tracking you. You might not have known who they were, but you felt a pull toward them, right?”

“Yeah.” I was shocked he understood. None of the guys did.

“It’s a natural instinct we all have. It’s how the Alpha confirmed you were alive at the Academy before moving in and taking you home.”

So he did know about me and my past? He shouldn’t be so surprised I was different. Then again, I doubted there were many other hybrids around to ask. We were all learning as we went.

“I’m not sure how I did it, though. It seemed like the other wolf was doing the work, reaching out to me.”

“It might feel like that, but your wolf was active on your side too. They were reacting to each other.”

So it was somewhat unconscious? That made sense, but it didn’t help me understand what to do now.

“It might help if you have someone specific in mind. That’s what the kids do, think of a family member or friend. It makes it easier to zero in rather than feel for the pack as a whole.”

Rainer was the first to come to mind, so I focused on him, what he looked like, how I felt around him, who he was to me. After a while, when I was ready to give up, Jeff quietly told me to keep trying.

Finally, a faint feeling buzzed through me like a whisper of a shadow. It didn’t make sense, but I knew it was there.

“I think I found Rainer.”

“Good, now keep going,” Jeff encouraged.

Rodney, Nancy, and Gloria were easy to find as well, and I named them out loud for Jeff. It took much longer to sense Tom and Steven, but I finally managed. Even Tawnya and Abi came through. The only one missing was my grandfather.

“I can’t sense the Alpha.”

“He could be away from the compound. If he was within a few dozen miles, you might be able to once you’re more comfortable with this.”

A tingle went through my mind, and I laughed.

“What happened?”

“I think someone knows I’m looking for them.” I wasn’t sure how I knew that. “It felt like they were saying hi or waving.”

“That’s good! Reaching for them doesn’t always mean danger or the need to shift. Sometimes you can test the connection to know they’re still close and safe.”

I opened my eyes and focused back on him. “They can sense when I need help?”

None of them seemed to know last night, but this was our first time connecting. It must not be an automatic thing.

“If they are used to the feel of you, it’s likely.”

“Last night,” I glanced around, making sure the others weren’t listening, but they could hear me even if we walked away. “I shifted in my sleep. I wasn’t in control of my wolf and tried to attack my mates.”

I waited for horror or shock to pass his features, but he remained unphased. “That’s common for new shifters. Your wolf was sensing all the others around you while you were unconscious.”

“Is there anything I can do or learn to prevent it?”

“Control will come naturally as you embrace and come to know your wolf, but if you’re wanting a more immediate option, you can wear an iron cuff to prevent you from shifting.”

I didn’t love that idea, but it might be my only choice for now.

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