“You can turn around now,” I tell her.
Natalia frowns when she sees my outfit, but thankfully doesn’t comment. “Were you going to go to school today?” she asks.
I shake my head. I have no idea how much time I’ve missed. My days have all sort of blurred together but I know I’m in no condition to survive Hellbound High today. “No. I don’t think I’m ready for that but …” I turn to the window. “I kind of want to go outside. Smell the air. You know?”
She nods, a small smile on her face. “That sounds like a good idea. I’m glad you’re feeling better. You had me worried there …”
I choke on a laugh. Right. I had her worried. But not my dad.
She helps me down the staircase and through the foyer. I only need to pause once to catch my breath and Natalia thankfully doesn’t mention it. Stepping outside, a familiar car sits in the driveway and I freeze.
Desmond stands there, leaning against the hood of his black Escalade, arms folded over his chest. “Isa,” he calls out and tilts his head back to his car. “I’m giving you a lift. Come on.”
My heart rate picks up and my eyes turn to Natalia, pleading with her to say something. Anything.
Des takes a step forward, his guarded expression now worried. “Isa?”
I suck in a breath. Then another. My breathing becomes erratic. No. No. No.
Understanding washes over Natalia’s face and gives me a barely perceptible nod before she turns to him. “I’m sorry, young man, but you need to leave.”
Des smirks. “I’ll get right on that. As soon as Isa gets in the car.” He flashes her a wolfish smile. “I’m a friend from school. I’ve given her rides before. She’s safe with me, ma’am.” He tries to catch my gaze but I can’t look at him. I can’t … breathe.
My hands are clammy and a cold sweat drips down my spine. My heart hammers in my chest. Faster. Harder. I know a panic attack lingers right there on the edge and I hate it. The urge to shift is strong but I hold myself back as my wolf paces inside me, unsure how to respond.
Do we go on the offensive and attack? Do we run away? My thoughts are a jumbled mess and I spot the telltale ripple across my skin. Crap. I’m going to shift. I can’t shift. Not yet.
My temples pound, a headache now coming on strong, beating inside me like a battering ram as I fight to keep my human skin.
“Isa?” she whispers.
I can’t do this.
I know Des is safe. He’s my friend. He’s safe. I know that. But being near him right now is sending my mind into a spiral. He’s dominant. He’s a threat. Claws pierce through my fingertips and my jaw begins shifting, my mouth filling with fangs.
I turn and rush back inside the house, ignoring both of them as they call out for me.
I can’t.
I’m not ready.
I just can’t.
I rush up the stairs to my room as fast as my injuries will let me, slamming the door and locking it behind me just as my wolf forces me to shift. I fall to my hands and knees, my spine arching and my bones cracking. I claw at my clothes, desperate to get them off. Naked and chest heaving, fur encases my body and I crash forward to the floor, my shift complete and both my body and mind exhausted. I close my eyes, blocking out the sounds of Natalia moving in the house, and sleep.
28 Isabella
More time passes, only this time, I remain in my wolf skin. I know the dangers of staying in this form when my mind feels fractured, but I can’t seem to convince myself to turn back. Everything feels easier with my wolf in the driver’s seat.
There’s a knock at the door and I huff out a breath, not bothering to lift my head from my paws. I know it’s Natalia. Her floral perfume is strong even behind the door. When I don’t answer, she tries again.
“Isa?”
I close my eyes. Why won’t she just leave me alone.
A new scent reaches me. This one familiar. Desert willow, ironwood, and musk. My ears perk up. It can’t be him. Can it?
The door handle shakes and I feel her frustration as though it were palpable. “Can you …” she doesn’t finish her sentence before the handle is given a sharp twist, breaking the lock and allowing the door to swing open.
Josué steps inside, Natalia right behind him. “Isa,” she hedges.
My wolf wines and I push us into a sitting position, my claws digging into the carpet.
“What—?” Her eyes are wide like saucers and she takes an involuntary step back.
“I’ve got it from here,” Josué says as he stands just inside my room.
His dark brown eyes soften and he takes a step toward me. I lock up with that one small movement. He stops and turns to Natalia, a question in his gaze.
“She has a hard time with men right now.”
He nods. Taking a step back, he leans against the wall before sliding down to the floor and folding his hands in his lap. “Hey,” he tries again.
I paw at the floor before putting a few more inches between us. Another whine works its way up my throat.
Natalia hovers in the doorway and I can smell her fear as she sees my wolf for the first time. It makes my hackles rise.
“Do you want me to stay?” she asks Josué.
I growl and she blanches.
“No. We’re good. Thanks.”
She nods and turns to leave, closing the door behind her.
Josué and I stare at one another for several seconds, our eyes not quit meeting in challenge but getting close. “Can you shift?”
That one question has my lips curling into a snarl. I’m weak in
