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But Flynn, the fox alpha and Jasper’s brother, hopped up. “Suit yerselves. I’m hungry.”

“Understood.” I nodded once as the last two alphas and Olivia settled in their seats, and I stood at the open spot at the head of the table, never intending to sit down or eat while everyone else did.

They all adjusted in their seats to face me, and those who had chosen to eat returned to their places.

I took a moment. Ravens, bears, big cats, smaller cats, foxes, raccoons, and others were represented. Something my father had said to me when I was young drifted through my mind.All shifters are wildlife, but not all wildlife are shifters.

My responsibility was strongest to my own pack, but it took all of us to keep our world in balance, and I knew it would take all of us to defeat Acheron and keep Emma safe.

“It is an historic time.” My enunciation was intentionally dramatic and wholly serious. “The multimorph has emerged.”

All eating and all breathing stopped.

Several utensils clattered against plates and the table. Two or three gasped while the same number cursed in long strings of expletives.

The raccoon shifter at the end glanced all around and then back at me. Absently, she dipped her biscuit in her water before catching herself and taking back the control from the raccoon inside her. She tossed the saturated roll aside.

“You can’t be serious.” The lynx shifter scratched behind her ear and shook her head. Her yellow eyes flashed in warning as a gentle breeze dusted the back of my neck. “Who is he?”

Torbin stood, towering over everyone else at the dinner. “Suspicion or reality?”

“I observedhershift into two different animals,” I said.

“Are there any other witnesses?” he asked.

Olivia stepped forward. “I didn’t see her double morph, but she’s incredibly powerful, not easily tired, and a healer.”

“You can understand why we’re trying to keep this quiet,” I began.

Marcus scooted his chair back from the table and hooked a leg over one of the arms. “Because he thinks he can bed the multimorph.”

Olivia snorted and whirled toward Marcus. “How dare you.”

Marcus was unaffected by her indignation, and he shrugged.

My head shake kept Olivia from saying anything else.

Torbin considered me. “Of course, but her abilities must be verified. It’s the only way to truly unite the shifters. What is her name?”

“It’s Emma Carter.”

A murmur rushed through the alphas, each of them whispering to the one seated on either side.

“Who’s that?” the lynx whined.

Torbin’s bushy eyebrows caught in his shaggy white hair. “It’s the veterinarian in Willow Creek?”

“Yes,” I confirmed.

“Where is she?” Marcus pressed. “Right now.”

“She’s in Willow Creek at her practice.”

“Using her magic to heal your cousin’s cat.”

The alphas erupted.

“How dangerous…”