They made way for me as I stepped into the middle of the clearing.
I spotted a familiar head of wavy blond hair and met Chris’ gaze. Shannon was next to him with all four of Meredith’s brothers. They nodded at me, and I tried to look confident—chin up, back straight—but I wasn’t sure if I pulled it off at all.
Adrian was standing beside Meredith’s brothers. He stuck his thumb up in the air with a grin.
Good God. How was he smiling when Meredith was barely alive?
If I couldn’t pull this one off…
Rosa’s words came back to me, and I pushed my fears aside. Confidence. And light. Put my faith, my will, my heart into the work. I had love for Meredith. I’d connect with her, and free the wolf from her cage.
Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I waited. I tried not to worry about everyone watching me. I was used to being watched. I could do this.
Dastien stepped into the circle everyone had formed around me with Meredith in his arms. She moaned.
No. This wasn’t good. “Is she awake?”
He placed her down gently. “Yes. She’s burning the drugs off faster than we can give them to her. At least we won’t have to fight the drugs and the curse to get her awake.”
Dr. Gonzales was right behind him. “When you’re ready, I’ll give her a shot to wake her up a little more. I don’t want her to get sick or convulse, but I think we’ll want her a bit more alert.”
I wanted to say no freaking way was she giving her anything to wake her up, but that was my fear talking. I couldn’t bring fear into this. I needed to be firm. My visions would guide me to her, and my alpha powers would help her escape. “Okay.”
Her parents stepped into the circle. Her mother squeezed me tight. “Thank you.”
God. I wished everyone would stop thanking me. I hadn’t done anything yet.
The pressure made my chest tight.
Dastien moved to my side. “Thank you so much for coming. My mate and I think that together as a pack, we can break through what’s been holding Meredith’s wolf at bay.” His voice was clear and confident. “It might leave everyone here drained, but as you can see, it’s a worthy cause.”
He squeezed my hand. “Do you want to say anything?”
I shook my head. Was he nuts? No, I didn’t want to say anything.
Wait. Yes, I did. “Meredith has been a good friend to me, no questions asked. I’m going to try and repay the favor, and I need everyone’s help. I know I drained a lot of you yesterday, and I really appreciate you being up to trying it again. I’m doing something different this time, though. I’m hoping it’s enough to break the curse.” I looked at Dr. Gonzales.
She knelt by Meredith’s side, and waited for my signal.
Dastien pressed a kiss to my forehead.
My heart was racing as I sat by Meredith.
I took a breath, and grasped Meredith’s hand in my own. Her fingers felt like a bunch of brittle sticks. I swallowed and looked at Dr. Gonzales. She plunged the needle into Meredith’s other arm.
Meredith’s eyelids fluttered for a few seconds before opening.
“You ready?” Dastien asked.
“Yeah.” I hoped so. I let down every barrier I had. “Meredith.”
She moaned.
“Show me your wolf.”
I was in the field of bluebonnets again. The sun was brighter. It was earlier in the day. She was with her brother in human form. Meredith looked younger without her dyed hair, but she was definitely a teenager. She was wearing a flower printed dress—which was so nothing Meredith would ever wear.
“You’re going to be fine. I’m going to shift, and you just follow my lead, okay?”
“No, Max! Don’t—”
Max laughed, and quicker than I could blink, he was on four legs with his clothes piled at his feet. He butted his head against her legs.
“Cut it out.”
When she went to push him away, he nipped her hand. “Ouch. You son of a bitch! That hurt!” And then fur rippled along her arms. Her change was slower than his. It took maybe five seconds instead of milliseconds.
“Meredith! Show me where she is!”
I knew my wolf hid in the center of myself. The first week I’d turned, Dastien taught me how to picture her and become more at one with that side of myself. He said most Weres inherently knew how to do that, but the whole having a wolf sharing your space was a bit of a game changer for me.
I expected the bright light to blind me like last time. To see the image flare bright and then dim again, but it didn’t. Instead, the wolf in my vision turned to me, and plopped down on her bottom. She howled. It was so loud, I had to cover my ears.