Page 113 of Moon Claimed

The whole healing thing still worked with him in four-legged form. I sighed a breath, relaxing further, and felt my breaths deepen.

His bed was miles more comfortable than my shitty cabin one.

A warmth crept over my mind as the lull before slumber took me.

“If she’s resisting the change, she won’t live long.”

Greyson growled.

“Why is she doing it?”

I wanted to reassure Sascha’s mother the non-shifting saga really was a mistake, but my body was past responsiveness.

Snap. Crack.Sascha sighed. Not a wolf sound. Did he just shift his snout to a human mouth to talk—because that visual was gross.

He spoke, “She fears losing her people. Her sister and friends. Why else do you think she’d managed a partial shift already? She’s deathly afraid.”

Well that explained why he was simultaneously proud and sad about my ability to partially shift. It did sound kind of pathetic when he put it that way.

“Just kidnap her for the remaining meets, dear,” his mother said. “It worked wonders for your father and me.”

He snorted. “Thanks, Mum.”

“The younger generation overthinks everything. What did your father say about her not shifting?”

“That it proves she isn’t worthy.”

“Though he did kidnap his potential mate, so keep that in mind.”

That’s where Sascha got his quirky humour.

Darkness blanketed my mind, and I tried to resist, but Greyson had known what I didn’t.

I was past exhaustion. I barely caught her next words, and they slipped away as quickly as I registered them.

“Will you keep her here?”

“Against her will? Never.”

* * *

I startled awake and bolted upright, clutching the sheet to my chin. The first strands of daylight streamed in through the open bifold doors.

“Andie,” Sascha said in a low voice, striding to me from outside.

His mother was gone.

Relaxing, I dragged my fingers through my messy hair. I had to stink. “Sascha.”

He sat on the bed, and I hesitated before placing my hand in his.

“I’m so sorry. There’s no excuse for my behaviour but ignorance.”

Sascha squeezed my hand. “Your wolf didn’t tell you what would happen?”

“She mentioned dying, but there was never a good time…” I averted my face. “That sounds really stupid. I’m just sorry. To both of you.”

He shuddered, honey eyes blazing. “We got there in time. Just. I thought you were dead. The only reason I didn’t give up on the spot is because I was still alive.”