Page 61 of Before the Bond
“Jake!” I called out. I raised my hands.
Jake picked up speed. Caleb was gaining. He bared his fangs. I knew what Caleb would do.
“No, don’t!” I screamed.
Caleb closed in. For a second I thought he had him — then Jake twisted and slipped past him.
This time, I wasn’t standing out of fear. I opened my arms even wider.
“Jake, I know you’re in there!” I screamed. “Please!”
Jake shook his head. Just before he could run into me, he dug his paws into the ground, stopping just two feet away from me. He looked even larger up close.
Jake’s breath hit my face, warm and damp, smelling like pine and something wilder. His eyes were red — bright, disoriented, searching.
Despite my pounding heart, I raised my hands slowly.
"Hey," I said. "Hey, it's me."
He didn't move.
"It's Olivia. You know me."
The red in his eyes went from darting around to steadying. His pupils dilated. His breath steadied. I flinched as he moved closer, but I stood my ground.
Jake pressed his nose against my collarbone and let out one long exhale.
Relief washed over me. Tears ran down my cheeks as I smiled and tousled his fur.
"There you are," I said.
Behind me, I could see Caleb, Donovan, and Stella slow down. They watched as Jake finally calmed down.
Donovan let out a loud howl. Stella followed. Jake and Caleb joined, and their howls rang in perfect harmony.
Jake’s shift was over.
The estate was quiet by ten.
Jake’s reversal was fortunately a calm one. He didn’t need much in terms of medical care.
“But I do need sleep,” Jake said with a yawn.
There was a round of congratulations. I think I saw Donovan tap Jake on the head before embracing him. Caleb hugged him next, but far more warmly.
Jake was sleeping at ease now. Caleb said the symptoms would fade as Jake became more accustomed to his body.
Donovan did the final sweep of the perimeter. Stella shared rounds of alcohol in plastic red cups before handing me one. The whiskey she poured me burned. I gagged when she attempted to give me a second one.
At some point, everyone drifted into the kitchen.
I stayed outside. I sat on the back porch as I stared out into the estate.
The full moon looked like a headlight in the dark. The sky stretched wide above it.
I heard the door open behind me.
Caleb stood there with his own plastic cup. From the light, I could tell his was full. I guessed he didn’t like the whiskey either.
