SPENCER
We were still having dinner when the first wave of pain rolled over my body. As hard as I tried to hide it, Finn felt it at once.
“I’m fine,” I said quietly, as he clutched my hand under the table.
Mom, who barely touched her food, nervously blinked every time she looked at me. I waited for a few more minutes, but after the second wave, I gave her a weak smile and put my fork down.
“Thanks, Mom.” I got up. “Sorry, guys, but I need to change into something more suitable. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Finn remained in his seat, but I could feel his and Mom’s eyes follow me all the way up the stairs.
Then I heard Mom say, “I’ll go place the candles around the circle. You three finish your food. You’ll need your strength.”
The moment I closed the door behind me, I dropped to my knees next to the bed and buried my face in its side right before I released a moan through my squeezed teeth. My body shivered. I waited for another wave to pass, then pulled myself up.
I took off the shorts, the tank, and the bra, grabbed the short, sleeveless dress I had left on the bed, and pulled it on.
I opened the window and stood there for a long moment, looking up. It was dark now, and the big, full moon stared at me from the inky sky.
I heard footsteps in the hallway before the door opened.
“Spencer,” Finn called quietly. I turned around. “It’s time.” He came closer and hugged me. “We need to go.”
I looked up at him, and our lips locked in a long, deep kiss.
“Whatever happens,” I whispered, “I want you to remember. I love you.”
“I love you too.” His glowing eyes locked with mine. “You’ll make a glorious wolf.” Holding my hand, he led me out of the room.
Mom was waiting for me downstairs.
“I’ll wait outside,” said Finn.
“Spencer.” Mom gave me a warm look and pulled me into a hug. When she spoke, her voice was firm. “Be strong. Fight it. For me. For Finn. For yourself.”
“You too. Mom, you’ve been so brave all these years. Tap into your courage one more time.” I pulled back and chuckled. “But no pressure.”
Mom smiled. Before she could say anything, my hands flew to my back, and I bent backward from the sharp pain in my spine. Mom caught me as I stumbled, taking a few steps back. Finn dashed in and threw his arm around my waist. A moment later, the pain stopped. He eyed me from head to toe to make sure I was okay.
“Come on,” he said softly, still holding me. “You need to get into the circle.”
Liam and James were waiting next to the barn. I stepped into the wide ring of symbols and with a wave of her hand, Mom lit the large candles placed around the circle.
“Spencer, you know what to do,” said Finn. “Let the wolf free. Don’t try to fight it, fight your magic.”
“Your emotions will run wild,” said Liam. “Listen to our voices so we can guide you.”
My magic was awakening. I could feel it tingling in the tips of my fingers and I squeezed my hands into fists.
Mom glanced up at the moon, then at the circle, which was almost fully covered in the moonlight.
“There are still a few minutes,” she said, “but I better start now.”
Holding her arms along her sides, she slightly lifted her hands, turned them palms up, and began chanting.
Mater luna
Voco super te
Effundam vestra impigritas
Dare potestatem in circulo. . .
Standing my feet shoulder-width apart, I shifted from foot to foot. From the sharp pain in my back, my body stretched up, and then at once, I doubled over from the stabbing pain in my stomach. I wrapped my arms around it, and moaning through my clenched teeth, I dropped to my knees.
I started rocking as my magic surged through me.
How should I do this? How do I suppress it?
The thoughts pulsed in my head. But before I could come up with an answer to that question, the scream skipped my throat from the sudden pain in my bones. My eyes squeezed as I cringed, then I threw myself forward and slammed my palms against the ground. The pain was getting stronger, and trying to fight it, I curled up again and hugged myself.
No. This is wrong. Finn said don’t fight the wolf. He said to fight the magic.Another dilemma remained unsolved as my ribs pushed inward, caging my heart, choking me, right before pushing back out of my chest so hard, like they were trying to break through.
For one short second, the pain left my chest, and I gulped some air. But the magic struck again. My blood boiled, burning my veins. At the same second, the wolf replied with a stabbing pain in my back, and I cried out.
Finn dropped to one knee in front of me. I saw a muscle jump in his jaw, and his hands clenched into fists before tears blurred my view.
Mom’s voice shook, but she kept chanting, repeating the incantation over and over.
When my vision cleared, I saw the circle of symbols around me finally glowing silver.
“Spencer, honey,” I heard Mom’s voice. “Hold on, okay? It will get a little better soon.”
I was so weak now I couldn’t bring myself to say a word, and I nodded to let her know that I could hear her.
“Spencer, we’ll need a little bit of your blood,” I heard Liam’s voice and turned my head. Holding a knife, he reached out for my hand.
My bones aching, I drew myself back, sat on my heels, and held out my palm. Finn moved closer. He put his hand around my shoulder and pressed his lips to my temple, distracting me from the additional pain from the sharp blade.
As the blood pooled into my palm, Liam held it above the cup in Mom’s hand. He handed the knife to Finn, who took it, then let go of me, and sliced his palm open. He squeezed his blood into the same cup. Mom slightly spun the bowl, mixing our blood, and the three of them pulled out from the circle again.
My chest burned like someone just shot fireworks through it, and the fire spread down my limbs. In agony, I shut my eyes tight, then crashed to the ground, digging my fingers into the hard earth.
Mom grabbed Finn by his wrist, braced herself, and began chanting a different incantation.
“Now, let it happen, Spencer.” I heard Liam’s voice. “Help your wolf. You’re nearly there.” And the next moment, at his and James’s spots, I saw two large wolves, who began circling me.
Breathing rapidly, I tried to catch my breath when the bones of both my forearms cracked.
I guess the magic has left the building.
That was the last comprehensible thought in my head before my spine arched, pushing me up. My bracelet flew off my wrist, and every bone in my body started cracking, tearing apart my flesh. The view in front of my eyes turned red.
* * *
FINN
Tears started running down Clare’s face. Her hand holding my wrist shook, and she started choking.
“Clare, keep chanting,” I shouted, staring at the open, blood-covered wounds on Spencer’s knees and back. She wasn’t even screaming anymore. “She needs more strength. She will heal when she turns.”
Clare gritted her teeth. She could barely mutter the incantation at first, but with every next word, her voice became stronger, and grabbing my wrist tighter, she chanted louder and louder.
I could feel my energy leaving me, and after a couple of minutes, I dropped to my knees.
James, do you feel it? The scent? I heard Liam’s voice in my head.
Yeah. I’ll go make a round.James replied, darting into the woods.
“Liam, what’s going on?” I was too weak now, and I couldn’t sense and hear as far as I usually could.
I’m not sure yet, but I think that wolf is nearby.
Fuck. Not now.
And I think there’s someone else here. But don’t worry, if I’m right, then we’ll take care of it.
After another few minutes, I hit the ground. Clare’s hold on me loosened, and she crouched next to me.
“Finn, I can’t take more. I’ll kill you if I do,” she sobbed.
“Keep going,” I muttered.
“I can’t. I promised her I'd keep you alive.”
“Clare, she’s halfway through. She’s in agony. You can’t stop now.”
She’s right, Finn,I heard Liam’s voice. He drew closer, but my view was blurred now, and I could barely see the shape of his big wolf. There isn’t much energy left in you. I can take your place.
You can’t. James might need help, and when Spencer turns, she might attack Clare before I’m able to shift. It will take some time for me to gather my strength back.
Liam didn’t reply, but instead, I heard another familiar, deep male voice.
“I will do it.”
Both Clare and Liam looked back.
Squinting, I traced the voice, and, in the moonlight, I saw the tall, strong shape of a man.
“Alister?” I whispered, having a hard time believing my ears and the unclear image.
“Your powers kept her alive so far. But I’m much more powerful than you.” Alister bent down and picked up the knife from the ground. “I can hear her heartbeat. With my help, she might still make it.” He ran the blade over his palm.
I heaved a breath of relief, and the moment Clare let go of my wrist, my eyes closed.