Free Changed by Jennifer Snyder Page B

Jace had bitten you without giving you a choice you’d turn into a complete basket case. Heck, I even assumed him biting you would be enough betrayal for you to stay away from him. I can see now that I was wrong. Either you’re too weak to deal with this on your own or Jace just hasn’t told you the entire truth yet.”
    My heart pounded in my ears, but I did my best to conceal how much her words were shaking me. “What entire truth? What are you talking about?”
    My words made Shelby’s smile grow. “Answer me this first—did you know that Jace came back to Winburg after he bit you?”
    “ No,” I said, hating to admit that he’d never told me.
    She toyed with a string of her hair and focused her icy eyes directly on mine. “Well, he did, to let his parents know what he’d done… but he also stopped by my house and we had a long conversation about you.”
    I swallowed hard. “And? So what, he stopped by your house to tell you that he’d gone through with it. That means nothing.”
    Dimly I remembered Jace’s conversation with his Uncle Everett I’d overheard and how he had said that he’d be returning in a month. Obviously that’s what he’d gone back for, to tell them he’d gone through with it.
    “ You’re so simple minded. Have you not learned anything about Pack Law?” Spite flashed in her blue eyes. When I didn’t respond her eyes shimmered with an animalistic gleam that sent a shiver along my spine. “Oh, this should be fun.”
    My stomach tightened. I didn’t know what to say and I hated the fact that Jace had treated me like a child by not telling me anything of Pack Law or the Wolf Moon yet.
    “ I can smell the fear on you right now… your little heart is beating inside your chest like a tiny, frightened rabbit. If you only knew what’s really in store for you now… and this little grudge between us, don’t think that it’s over just because Jace went through with his little plan to change you. It has only just begun. He may have turned you, but it still doesn’t mean he’s yours, yet,” Shelby said with a wicked smile before shouldering past me.
    I watched her walk away so completely full of herself it was sickening and wondered what Shelby knew that I didn’t. I’d have to get Jace to tell me about Pack Law… and soon.
     
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    I’m in the woods alone, walking through the thick, uncorrupted foliage. It’s dark out, but I don’t mind because I’m busy searching for someone. There’s someone I’m supposed to meet here.
    I wonder along until I come to a large clearing. It’s there that I notice him and realize I’m in the right place. Jace is waiting for me, standing beside a wide-trunked tree with his arms casually folded across his chest. A smile breaks out on my face as I dart across the clearing toward him. The closer I get, the more I realize the emotion on his face is not one of happiness, but one of worry.
    Just before I reach him, Shelby steps from behind the tree he’s leaning against. My feet falter as I wonder why she’s here. Her lips form into a smirk as her icy-blue eyes penetrate me. I shift my gaze to Jace, questioning her presence with my eyes, but he’s quick to look away.
    Shelby’s body shivers as bones begin to ripple beneath her skin. Fear makes my heart plummet to my stomach as I realize that she’s changing. An eerily bright full moon shines down on me from between two parting clouds, and the first spasm of warmth slides beneath my skin.
    In mere seconds both Shelby and I have completely changed while Jace remains human. Before I’m able to catch my breath Shelby lunges at me, baring her teeth. I attempt to dodge her, but I am not swift enough. Her teeth clamp onto the side of my neck and I fall to the ground. I push and nip, but to no avail—Shelby is stronger. My eyes lock with Jace’s as I feel my life slowly drain from my open wounds.
    He does nothing besides stare.
     
    I woke from my nightmare completely out of breath