long been out of her life. She has spent the last year taking care of him. When he got too sick, she had to place him in a home. He’s got a severe case of Alzheimer's and doesn’t remember her.”
“They mentioned that when I went to transfer him,” Valor said, his tone regretful.
Kyden tightened his arm around me, his expression was full with pain for Rynn. “She has had a rough go of things.”
“You’ve got that right. She works three jobs to pay for his care and keeps to herself. No friends or real happiness. Just the need to take care of her grandfather. I can tell you this though, she is a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for.”
“We need to get her bonded to the pack immediately,” Valor said with a deep sigh. “We will help her through her trauma.”
“Huh?” I wasn’t sure the benefit of exposing her to too much at once.
He laughed a little, as he and everyone often did at my lack of knowledge. “Packs have magic that surrounds them. It’s what bonds us together and once you are welcomed into it.” He glanced back to Rynn. “It’s very hard to feel alone. We will help her through this. I will call a gathering immediately. It should aid her greatly.”
Suddenly, Rynn ran back to us and sat at my feet. Her eyes had returned to their normal softness. I rubbed her head and she leaned into my hand. This time, I chose not to read into her any further. It was my rule—stay out unless needed. Personal privacy and all.
Valor knelt down in front of her. “I will help you change back, Rynn. Consider this your first lesson.” She gave a little bark in agreement. “Close your eyes, sweetling.” She complied. “You have the ability to change at will. It is a power that lies within you. You need to settle yourself, calm your mind. When you feel peaceful then release the wolf within you. Find your human form and remember it. Remember what you look like. Feel the magic running through you.”
It took a very long time, but eventually the air shimmered and she returned, kneeling in front of Valor. He reached out, not touching her, just held out his hand to her, patiently. Rynn just stared at it as if she was looking down the barrel of a shotgun.
This was getting us nowhere.
Slowly, I knelt beside her, put my hand in Valor’s. He raised a brow at me but when I smiled in return, he focused back on Rynn. We sat like that for a very long time before she hesitatingly reached out and lay her hand on mine. With gentle care, I removed my hand and leaned back.
Rynn stared at her hand resting in Valor’s for all of one second before she burst into tears. Valor immediately lunged forward, wrapped his arms around her while she cried and screamed for all the wrong done to her.
It surprised me that she hadn’t shifted, but then it quickly made sense. Valor said pack magic could help her. His contact must have forced her to stay human.
Watching her sob with such fierceness, I couldn’t help but cry right along with her. It was just so sad. How the world could be so cruel to someone as sweet as this one is such a travesty. The only relief I had was that from this day on, her life was going to get better. Valor would see to it.
Her sobs eventually quieted and her shaking lessened. Valor hadn’t let go of her for a second. Her arms were tight around him as she used all his strength to release her terror. Only when she backed away, did he loosen his hold. “I have made a mess of your shirt.” She wiped the tears from her face.
“That is not of any concern. Are you feeling up to seeing more of my home?” Valor asked her.
It was clear what he was doing. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of her breakdown. Didn’t want her to feel ashamed for having done it. It was the right thing to do.
Rynn nodded.
Briggs came over and reached down to help her up. Again, there was no hesitation in her touching him. Valor had her scared silly. Briggs, she welcomed. Something was funny here, and it was something I was going to get to the bottom of.
Rynn came over to me and tucked herself close to me. I took her