Marie waited silently.
“It was just weird, you know?” Claire kicked at the dirt. “I wasn’t expecting Beatrice to—uh, retire? And then Matthew coming here … it was just a lot. That’s all.”
“I understand. And if I had known what Beatrice had planned, I would not have kept Matthew’s presence a secret. I meant it to be a happy surprise, you understand?”
Claire nodded. “I’m just—I guess I’m just tired of secrets, is all.”
“I know. But for us, the time to hide things is finished. You are fully transformed. I can begin teaching you in earnest. From now on, things will make more sense to you. I am sure of it—but you must trust me.”
Claire looked at her mother, at the certainty blazing in her eyes, and nodded. Listening to Zahlia had been the biggest mistake she’d ever made. Maybe it was time to listen to her mother, after all.
“Good. We will have more time to talk later, but now I am anxious to begin the hunt.” She motioned Beatrice, Katherine, Judith, and Victoria back into the clearing.
When they had all taken their places around the fire, Marie raised her arms and began to chant. Though the words had always sounded strong when Beatrice said them, the power in Marie’s younger voice gave them more energy, and Claire shivered as the sound washed over her. When her mother gave the signal, they all burst into their true forms.
It was the first time Claire’s transformation had been complete. Every part of her felt right—her silky fur that caught the wind, the pads of her feet against the soft dirt—it was perfect. The feeling of release was so great that Claire couldn’t hold back the cry that rose through her. She threw back her head and howled. Around her, she could hear the others join in, calling out to the moon above them, the ground below, and the forest that circled them tight.
And now—her mother’s voice burst into Claire’s thoughts— we hunt!
They raced off into the woods. Exhilaration flooded through Claire as she ran alongside the others, her nose full of the smell of the fire, the trees, and the endless, moonlit night.
Everything was just beginning—she could feel it. She could smell it. And she wanted to follow the trail all the way to the end, wherever that may be.
Acknowledgments
WRITING IS A SOLITARY endeavor, but it is rarely accomplished alone. I am so grateful to the many people who helped me with this book.
Thank you to my amazing family, who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams—my husband and children, my mom and dad, and my brothers, Justin and Adam. Their support holds me up, keeps me going, and gives me light when things look dark.
My undying gratitude also goes to The Wordslingers—Trish, Heidi, Jean, Lisa, and Mandy—who help improve my writing every day. I rely on their invaluable advice, input, and support in all matters, literary and otherwise.
I have been lucky enough to work with some of the best professionals in the business. My intrepid agent, Caryn Wiseman, who believed in this project from the beginning and made sure it found the perfect home, all the while providing me with advice, hand-holding, and her own hard work. Of course, without the amazing editorial skills of Anica Rissi and her editorial assistant, Emilia Rhodes, this book would never have become what it is today. Their suggestions and insights opened whole worlds for me, and took Claire’s story to a level I couldn’t have imagined on my own. In addition to my thanks, I am pretty sure I owe them a whole box of mechanical pencils.