Page 38 of Felix

“Sounds like you have some pretty cool abilities yourself.”

“Why do you think that is?” Khloe asked.

Leah shrugged. “I don’t know, but I do know Olivia comes in handy when we need her. She can scent the bears faster than anyone else and then talk to them in her head while she’s in wolf form. It’s amazing.”

“I can tell when the bears are near, too. But it’s not that I scent them. I cansensethem from far away.”

Leah’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yep.” Khloe tipped her head back and closed her eyes, reaching out to see if any bears were in the vicinity.

“Are you okay?” Leah asked, grabbing Khloe’s arm.

Khloe lowered her head and opened her eyes. “I’m fine. I’m experimenting with how much I know. I didn’t realize until yesterday that others can’t sense what I can.”

“And?”

“There are four bears to the north of us. They’re grazing. They mean no harm.”

Leah gasped. “That’s…”

“Yeah…weird. I don’t even know if they are shifters or not. They could be just bears.”

“Do you sense other animals?”

“Yes. All of them.”

“Wow. Could you do that before? When we were kids?”

Khloe shook her head. “No. I think it started soon after I arrived here. Maybe after my first shift. My awareness was gradual, and even then, I didn’t realize it was odd.”

“What about wolves? Are there non-shifting wolves roaming around this area?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but I’m not sure there are non-shifting bears either. Or for that matter, shifting bears. I don’t know which kind they are.” The entire concept frustrated Khloe. She wanted to understand better.

Leah waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Enough serious stuff. Tell me about that piano. How does it sound?”

Khloe grinned. “Amazing. I’ve never played anything that wonderful before. Are you still doing art?”

Leah nodded. “Yep. I have my own art room.”

Khloe continued to talk with her sister for a few hours. Eventually the men came back in and brought them snacks, setting up a picnic in the playpen.

Khloe knew the only reason they did so was to keep her safe, but she didn’t care. It was fun, and she was so relieved she was being permitted to spend time with Leah.

Chapter Seventeen

Another week passed before Khloe had her next episode. She was in her crib this time. She’d been napping when it happened. It woke her up. Gasping for air, she called out, “Daddy.”

He came running into the room. “What happened, Baby girl? Are you okay?” He rubbed her tummy.

She was shaking and disoriented as she looked around. “Bears…”

His brows shot up. “What about them?”

“They’re coming.”

He lowered the side of the crib and lifted her into his arms, hugging her closer, which she needed. She was shaking.