{HELENA}
I'm hyper-aware that Blackwood is just a few feet behind me, closer than we've been in months. I look at my right hand, reach for my wolf, and watch as the fingers extend and sharpen into claws.
Partial shifts require a level of concentration I hadn't believed myself capable of until it happened. I'd thought that I would be staring at my hand all night hoping for something to happen but expecting nothing would.
Behind me, the fire crackles as it burns, and the floorboards creak just enough to let me know the Blackwood must be moving around. Maybe reaching for more pieces of wood to feed into the grate.
I'd forgotten how strong he was. And how capable.
For him to have collected so much wood while I lost myself in memories is impressive.
I rarely ever let myself get that distracted when I was with the Phoenix pack. There, Douglas and Kael kept me too busy to let my mind wander for long.
