Free Change (The Shape Shifter Series) by Jennifer Loiske

swallowed. Had she imagined everything? Maybe Isabel was really telling the truth and she hadn’t meant any harm to her. Sofia had moved next to her and she could feel her calming hand on her back. She glanced at her and was surprised to see a deadly serious and very, very cold expression in her eyes.
    Baz took a step closer to Isabel and a slight smile played on his lips. “Siobhan,” he said and a beautiful young woman stepped closer.
    She pressed her fingers on Isabel's temples. Isabel looked at her in terror. “Shh. It will only take a moment,” Siobhan said gently and closed her eyes.
    Marie wanted to ask what was happening, but Sofia shook her head silently before opening her eyes. She looked sternly at Isabel. “She's lying. Her only intention was to kill the girl.”
    Baz grabbed Isabel by her shoulders and threw her hard. He was enraged. “How dare you try something like that!” he shouted. “Marie came here for our help! What is it about her that you can't stand? Is it her beauty or her innocence? Maybe it's the man that stands beside her, but whatever it is you have to get past it. You hear me, let it go!”
    Isabel stared at the ground. How could she explain? She hated Marie. She hated everything that she was. But Siobhan was wrong. She hadn't come there to kill her. Not at first. But when she had seen her, something had snapped in her head. If Tiamhaidh had arrived one minute later the girl would have been dead. She swallowed. Luckily, that man, David, hadn't been there. If she hated Marie, she hated him even more. He was a human. A worthless human who had come and reminded them of what he and Sofia had done. Gunward was one of them. One of their own, and that man had stolen his woman. How could she not kill him?
    Baz was still waiting for Isabel to talk. She didn't say a word and Baz lost his temper. Now was her time to defend herself, to prove to them that they were wrong and she chose to be quiet. Why? He needed her to give him an escape route. One good reason to show mercy on her, but she didn't. She left him no choice but to judge her. He sighed. “Now, listen to me, and listen carefully. If you ever try to harm this child I will destroy you! And after that you will no longer be allowed to walk here. You’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy your games all by yourself for the rest of your life! You hear me? I will never have mercy on you. There is no hope of salvation! And this goes for anyone who has bad intentions against Marie! My decision is final!”
    The others gasped in horror. Baz was talking about the ultimate punishment. Something that was worse than death. He, as a pack leader, could force Isabel to become part of nature. She would hear and understand everything around her, but could never come back to her original form. Not unless the pack leader had mercy on her. And Baz had just said clearly that he wouldn't. 
    Marie was confused. Was this really happening? She thought that wolves couldn't lie, and yet Siobhan had said that Isabel had lied.
    “She's a master at avoiding things,” her mom's mind touched hers. “She's not technically lying if she doesn't think she is. So maybe she convinced herself that she came here just to scare you to death, but that's not true. Siobhan can see into souls, and I bet Isabel's soul is as black as the night.”
    “Athair,” Isabel whined and threw herself at Baz's feet. She never thought he would judge her like that. She adored him and wanted his approval. He was a fair leader and now he was choosing a human girl over one of his own. Hate flickered in her eyes. It was all Marie's fault!
    “I am not your father. I am your leader!” Baz thundered. “Get out of my sight! I can't stand to see you right now.”
    Isabel stumbled and disappeared into the woods. This was not over. She would get her revenge. One way or the other she would destroy that girl and everything she represented.
    Sofia and Faol smiled approvingly at Baz, but the other