Free Imminence by Jennifer Loiske Page A

things.” I looked at Clarissa with tenderness.
    “This is my reality. Has been for a long time. I wanted to keep you apart from that reality, because I was stupid and thought I could escape my past, but that’s not possible. For years I thought it was, but now I have to face my own nightmares.” I reached out to touch Clarissa's hand, but she quickly drew it away.
    “I’m only sorry you got into danger because of me. Those men in your room were every bit as dangerous as you think they were. I was absolutely terrified when you rose to challenge Adam. I was sure Gunward would have to interfere to prevent Adam from tearing your throat, or that I would have to challenge Adam. Come to think of it, why did you do it?” I asked, a hint of anger in my voice.
    Clarissa was still staring at me challengingly, but her hard shell was beginning to crack and she chewed nervously on her lower lip.
    “It doesn’t matter. How did those men know to come here and what did they want of me? Why did you call that black-haired guy Adam and who’s Gunward? Who are you really?” Clarissa burrowed deeper in the couch and wrapped her arms defensively around herself.
    “It does matter. More than you think. I don’t know exactly who Adam is. If I did, I’d definitely not let him anywhere near you. You downright melted into his arms. Didn’t you see how dangerous he is?” My voice rose a notch and I felt a whiff of panic in my mind.
    I was absolutely certain that if I couldn't make my daughter listen to me, she would do something very stupid. Just to spite me. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment and continued in a calmer voice.
    “Gunward is a very old friend of mine, who did something terrible once and I left him for that reason. Now he’s back and I don’t know if he has any intention of getting out of my life.” I knew I didn't sound convincing. The warmth that had crept into my voice when I mentioned Gunward had exposed me. But I trusted Clarissa was still too upset to notice everything that happened around her, so I didn't care.
    “I know it’s unbelievable to see an animal transform into a human being, but it’s true. There’s a grain of truth in all old fables and legends, including werewolf stories. We’re not werewolves, though. We’re wolves who can change shape,” I said with pride.
    “The human form was our own choice and I don’t think most shape shifters are ever capable of such a major change. The change takes a lot of energy and you always lose a part of yourself when you shift shape.”
    I felt my eyes glow with excitement. It was thrilling to share my secret with Clarissa and I had to do my utmost to not change into a wolf against my own volition. I knew there was already a hint of yellow in my eyes and it would only be a matter of time before they turned completely lupine. I stifled the twitching in my belly. It was one thing to tell your child you were a shape shifter, but quite another to actually shift into a wolf in front of her. I sighed and kicked the edge of the couch. The pain in my foot would direct my thoughts elsewhere for at least a while, and the change would stop as quickly as it had begun.
    “Only the strongest shape shifter wolves can take an entirely different form and remain in it for years, and most shape shifters can only manage minor changes.” I sighed and rubbed my sore foot.
    “Adam is a beast, as are all the other men who were in your room. I’m like them, but I’ve lived as a human for much longer than those young men. You must understand that although Adam looks human, he’s a predator deep down. A wolf, who respects only the laws of wolves. He doesn’t understand human rules of dating. If he wants you, he’ll hunt you until you give in, and I won’t permit that!”
    Clarissa blushed and lowered her eyes. I knew she had already lost a part of her heart to Adam. Now my task was to make her believe that was wrong, though deep in my heart I knew she had belonged to Adam from