Chapter 3

Selena POV

Alpha waits until he is certain we are alone before crouching down before me.

"We have a little to go, but I know someone who can help you, Selena. I am going to ask her to hide your pack bond when she has shifted you back. I, unfortunately, do not know the consequences of your forced shift tonight. I know this is not how your wolf is going to look when you're of age though." He smiles. "I have a feeling you are going to be a gorgeous wolf once 18, not this muddy brown one." I sigh internally, but Skysong comforts me as best she can from her cage. Alpha stands again, mind linking someone before gesturing for me to follow him.

We walk for 20 minutes before we come to a cottage in the forest.

"This is where my sister-in-law Amber is living. She, like my mate, is a witch/wolf hybrid. She will know what to do." As we near the cottage the door opens and two women walk out. Alpha Matthew chuckles. "I should have known she would call you to aid her, my love." He says in a warm tender voice to one of the women, who in turn gives him a loving smile. Luna Anna is gorgeous with her dark skin, raven black hair in a braid, and kind chestnut colored eyes. The other woman is a little taller than Luna Anna, but her spitting image is otherwise.

"Amber knew she would need my magic to help her. If what you explained is right, we are looking at a powerful dark potion." She turns her kind eyes on my wolf form and they hold so much sadness. "We should have adopted her into our home, Matt." She says, smiling at me before crouching down. "Hi, sweetheart. What a night, huh?" She asks, and I whimper in return.

"Can you help her?" Alpha Matthew asks them, and they both nod.

"We have prepared everything, but what about afterward? She can't go back to those horrid people." Alpha shakes his head.

"I was hoping she could stay with you, Amber?" He asks, uncertainty lacing his voice. She chuckles, her voice a low alt.

"You know you could order me, Alpha." She says with a smile. "But I would be delighted to have her with me." Alpha nods and stands back as the two of them do their magic thing. The air fills with bright colors, dark red from Amber and bright orange from Luna Anna. They say something in a language that I do not understand, and place a bowl filled with silver liquid in front of me, instructing me to drink it.

Nothing happens to begin with, but then the moon comes forth from behind a cloud. Pain, excruciating and violent shoots through me. It feels like someone is trying to burn me, drown me, and tear me apart all at once. Then it disappears as soon as it comes along, and I find myself panting on all four in human form - butt naked.

"Oh my." Someone gasps before a warm blanket engulfs my shoulders, and I get to my feet as soon as I catch my breath.

"Go and change, then we need to talk," Alpha says, and I do exactly that. Coming back out, after Amber helps me with clothes I overhear Alpha and Luna discussing my former parents.

"They actually disowned that poor girl?" Luna Anna asks, and I can hear the sadness in her voice. I take a deep breath before going over, sitting opposite them on the tree bench, loving the warmth from the open fire between us. Amber sits down beside me.

"Alright, we need the story from the beginning, Selena." Alpha commands gently.

"It's as I said before Alpha. Jenna and her friends grabbed me before I could go inside when I came home from work. They dragged me to the clearing, forcing the potion down my throat and then I shifted. She made one of the friends with a wolf slash her, so she could blame me for being feral. Skysong was locked in a magic cage, and she says there is still a barrier in our mind that only our true mate can crack down. We will not be able to shift or use our powers before we meet him and he has to accept us as we are. I still have the strength, speed, hearing, smell, and sight of the wolf. We can communicate, but it takes energy from both of us." Amber touches my arm.

"Did you say your wolf's name is Skysong?" She asks, her eyes alight with curiosity. I nod silently as she exchanges a look with her sister.

"The last time we had a Skysong wolf amongst us…" Luna Anna says, and her sister nods.

"I know... Do you think?" They look at each other again, and then at me. I am furrowed confused by this quick exchange, and as is Alpha Matthew it seems. He clears his throat.

"I asked my mate to hide your packbond, so everyone will think you were banished or dead. It's the best we can do right now. When you are 18, we can reintroduce you back into the pack. Right now you need rest, peace, and stability. I will personally continue to train with you, Selena, and we will homeschool you as well. This is not going to go over well for your adoptive parents." He looks at me, and I notice his eyes lingering on some of my scars. Suddenly I feel very exposed in the top and shorts I am wearing.

"Selena, be honest with me. Were those people abusing you?" I feel tears stinging in my eyes, remembering their threats if I ever told anyone.

"I'm just clumsy, Alpha," I respond quietly, but he snorts.

"Look at me, Selena." He commands, and I can't do anything else than do what he says. "I can see the scars. Answer me honestly, please."

"Jenna likes knives," I answer, cold sweat running down my spine. I tremble in the night, and Amber puts an arm around me. Alpha growls. It is low, dangerous, and furious. Luna has tears in her eyes.

"They abused you right under our noses?" Luna asks, her eyes horrified as she takes me in. I take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry to cause you concern. I'm okay, I promise." Luna shakes her head.

"You are far from okay, dear girl. And don't you dare apologize! Those bastards actually abused you. Not just abused. Tortured." Alpha Matthew growls again. He is looking over my arms, my legs, and my thighs.

"How long?" He asks, and I don't have to think twice to know what he means. I look down, tears in my own eyes. These people are sad for me. They are concerned for me. Is this how it feels to have people in your corner?

"Since before I can remember, Alpha," I tell him quietly. Luna grabs his arm, calming him down with the matebond.

"We need to be smart about this Matt. We have no proof other than the scars on Selena, and they will fight those. Another pack might take them in. We need time to gather our case." Alpha Matthew sighs but nods. I shiver at the feeling of their concern for me.

"They will never touch you again, sweets," Amber says, her voice fierce and low. I look at the three adults around me. They believe me. They actually believe me. I smile at them, warmth spreading from where Amber is holding me.