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Are you ready? I asked Paige. It won’t be easy, I warned, knowing Gran would fight us tooth and nail.

Seeing them….A Pack like that, I wanted you to be free, to go with them, Paige answered, the words desperate. But you couldn’t go. You couldn’t be free because I’m not free.

It’s not your fault, I hastened to reassure her, feeling her pang of guilt. You can’t control how our power is inherited or our mother’s choices.

I could leave, she said simply and my mouth twisted into a grimace. I could. I should, she continued insistently. It’s my own selfishness that keeps me here. And forces you to remain.

And your continued desire to live, I countered. You would die if you left, I reminded her harshly. Your power would fade and with it your life.

Eventually, she responded, determination in her voice.

Quickly, I warned, adding firmly, It’s not an option.

It’s not your decision to make, she protested and an unhappy laugh escaped me at her tone. It’s not, Dru. Why won’t you let me make this choice for you?

Because I know, I cried out, silencing her. I know how fast your power fades. I know exactly how many minutes it takes for you to gasp for air. I know because Gran did it when you were a baby to show me.

The truth hung in the air between us, fragile as a bubble, a lifetime of secrets weaved between us, each trying to save the other.

Why didn’t you tell me?

Because I love you, I replied, the air shimmering around me as I shifted, welcoming the agony as my bones twisted and cracked, each tendon stretching until it couldn’t anymore, finally snapping and shredding as my body contorted back into human form.

“About time you showed back up,” Gran snapped, appearing in front of me, silent as a ghost. “Running off like a lovesick child. I thought better of you.”

“Did you?” I inquired sweetly, walking past her.

“Don’t walk away from me,” she ordered and I twisted around, lifting my hands in surrender.

“Ooooh, no, what are you going to do to me? Kill me?” I gasped, fluttering my eyelashes. “Finally. What a relief. I thought you were just going to toy with me again.”

“You think you can talk back to me?” Her voice lowered dangerously and my heart skipped. I was taunting the beast knowingly. If anyone was aware of what she could do, it was me, so why was I basically asking for her to punish me?

“I don’t know if you still have it, Gran.” My shoulders rose and dropped. “You couldn’t control Caleb.” It was a risky move, one I instantly regretted when she jerked my feet out from under me, her power pressing me into facedown into the ground. I tried to resist, pushing against the blanket of power, but it was no use. I couldn’t fight her, which made me question how Caleb had managed it. We’d all felt the pulse of power she’d sent at him, but he’d somehow managed to defy her. I’d thought maybe I could do the same, but as I flopped like a fish on the ground I knew I’d been wrong.

Stop! Paige’s feet appeared in front of me as she stood between Gran and me.

Don’t, I tried to warn her, but she didn’t listen.

Stop hurting Dru! Her foot stomped and I almost smiled. She’s done nothing to deserve this. Neither of us have. Why do you hate us? She wailed and the power holding me abruptly disappeared.

Hate? You think I hate you? I crawled to my knees, swaying as I looked around Paige’s knees to see Gran. Her lips pinched together, her expression formidable as always, but there was a glimmer in her eyes that hinted at hurt. Some would say I hated your mother, that I allowed her weakness to define her….destroy her. I sucked in a sharp breath at her mention of our mother. It wasn’t often Gran talked about her so we both listened intently. I vowed I wouldn’t allow that to happen to the two of you. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. I coddled your mother, allowed her to follow her heart, and look what happened.

Gran raised her chin and I slowly got to my feet. I had been old enough to see the devotion between my parents, a devotion that had excluded anyone else – including me and Paige. She’d been lost after his death, a shadow without an anchor, and even more absent than normal. I wish I could say I missed her, but it had never felt like I’d had her. Dad was the one who’d given us his time and attention. It was his death that had been the blow, forever altering all of our lives.

I didn’t want the same thing to happen to you, she stated unapologetically.