147 Manifestation II

When my body volted awake, the first thing I noticed was the rough ground beneath me–damp earth and scattered leaves pressing against my skin.

lot again, I thought as panic rose in my chest.

1 blinked rapidly as the towering trees around me blurred into my view. I was in the forest again, no doubt.

I scrambled into a seating position, the dried leaves beneath me crinkling with my frantic

movement.

My hands flew to my hair, clutching at the strands tightly as my fingers trembled. My eyes darted around the clearing, trying to piece together the puzzle of how I had ended up here- again,

My breathing was shallow and uneven.

“Why how?” I stammered under my breath, my voice cracking with disbelief. My chest heaved as I spun, searching for any clue that might ground me in reality.

A voice interrupted my spiralling thoughts.

“You’re awake”

I whirled toward the sound, startled, my heart pounding like a drum. Leaning casually against a nearby tree, his arms crossed, stood Lenny. He had a calm, concerned, almost amused expression on his face.

*Lenny?* I called out shakily. “What–what are you doing here?”

He pushed off the tree and walked over to where I was. “I could ask you the same thing,” he said, offering his hand, “but I’m not interested in explanations right now,” he added flatly, cutting off any excuse I might want to give.

I stared at his outstretched hand before tentatively placing my hand on his. My fingers felt cold and stiff as he helped me to my feet and held me for a few seconds as I swayed slightly, still disoriented.

“The last night shift patrol team found you out here, he continued in a clipped but not unkind tone. “Thankfully, they brought it to my attention before anyone else saw. We’re fortunate it’s still dawn and most of the pack is asleep. You can sneak back into the pack house without

questions.”

His tone brooked no room for argument, so I nodded mutely. Feeling my cheeks redden as I avoided his gaze.

your own? Do you want me to hold you or carry you?”

although I still

said, motioning

147 Manifestation II

was desperate to avoid meeting anyone. It would be hard to explain my mysterious

Seth came out.

saying a word, he bowed curtly to us and then brushed past us, going his

Lenny said quietly. “He won’t say anything to anyone.

nodded and fled into the

the sink to scrub away the evidence. The earthy scent of the

car trained to the door to pick up any movement. I washed off the stains, restoring the dress to its original colour. Throwing it into a bucket

to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind. After washing off the worst of the grime, I wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe, my damp hair sticking to my shoulders.

it ended up wet. After coming up with a few lies, I stepped out of the bathroom. On cue, the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered, carrying a steaming cup of my morning

the vanity table where she set the cup and turned to

too, Nan and I had a wonderful night,… that was a lie. My sassy wolf

in my sleep.

maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me.” I said, avoiding Nanny’s gaze as

the cup in my hands, I sipped slowly, pushing

and came to stand behind me, reaching for my brush and hair dryer on the vanity

your hands. The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions. He didn’t want you to

Ridge are my mother’s henchmen. I’ll be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if I ever

Nanny slowly started to brush and dry my hair with practised care, just like she had always

moment, letting myself relax, but it was Sort–lived and Nanny suddenly paused mid–stroke. From the mirror, I saw her nostrils flaring slightly as she sniffed

her voice filled with concern.

on the hand of the chair

wouldn’t press further, but Nanny didn’t seem

it was nothing. Setting the brush and the dryer aside, she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed

I had intended

this happen? How did you get this she sounded

I’m fine, Nan…” Larranged my hair back in place. “Stop

23 make you immune to pain and

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