Shifted Fate by Alicia S.Rivers

Lynn was waiting with my mother outside. They both looked up as we left the house. She started to shake a little, but Toya and I both pretended not to see. "Ready to go?" I called.

My mom smiled and rubbed her shoulder. "Lynn wanted to ask a favor."

I walked over and waited. "Okay..."

Lynn shuffled for a few seconds. "I know that this is just a bandaid. And it won't help me process anything that has happened." She was stalling and trying to explain herself.

"Just ask." I tipped my head to the side and waited.

She met my eyes and I saw panic there. "I'm terrified to leave. So much so that my wolf is digging into me. She feels safe here, and we haven't felt safe since leaving our pack."

That was a kick to the stomach. "Understandable." I looked at my mom. "I failed you."

Lynn shook her head. "No. Amy you didn't." She grabbed my hand. "You had things you had to do."

I nodded. “But I should have kept a better eye on you and what was happening." I rubbed my thumb over the side of her hand. "I owe you." She shook her head. "Just tell me what you need. Do you need to stay here? Done. I won't make you leave."

her head more vigorously. "It's not

I help?" I watched her fight with her words. My

do this." My mom's words seemed to

still saw the

didn't even know she had. "I want

"What?" My gaze snapped

say no, can you listen to my reasoning first?" She rushed out.

"Of course."

I would have said no before she could try to reason with me. "I'm terrified to leave." She started. "But I need to leave. I can't stay here for the rest of my life. I have a pack, a position in that pack, and potentially a second chance out there. But mainly...I need to take back my strength. Derek needs to die, and I need to see it through. I won't be able to move on without it. He has become my boogyman." Her face morphed into a mask of hatred. "He doesn't deserve to have that much power over anyone. Including me. He took a bond that was supposed to be sacred and turned into torture." She looked lost as her brain forced her back to that place. I squeezed her hand, and I watched her eyes struggle to focus back on me. "If

have power over me anymore. And I will be able to kill

him now." Toya tossed out

shook her

we have run out of time. She

I have