Free Psyche Shield by Chrissie Buhr Page B

excitement. “In my people’s
tradition, Muzi is adopted as one’s own child. It is why I call you daughter.
Will you accept Sierra as family? She is of the age to be your sister.”
    “Of course!” I replied, happily. As an only child, I’d
dreamed of having a sister.
    “My mate’s sister is my sister too,” Billie’s pronouncement
came with a promise to protect and care for Kato’s granddaughter as she would
Pack or family. This pleased Kato and assured him of Sierra’s safety and
wellbeing.
    “I thank you both.” To Kathryn he said. “Your plan is wise.
Take only Jason and Sierra to meet her Alpha. I will join you.” Billie bristled
but didn’t argue.
    My presence in the pack created the conflict, just as Jason
predicted. I felt obligated to help in some way. “What can I do?”
    He saw through me as he always did. “You are the subject of
the conflict, Muzi, but you did not cause it. Your assistance is needed to
resolve the conflict, but you owe no debt. I ask for help not atonement.”
    His rebuke pleased Billie, and I sensed her hope that I
would take it to heart. I nodded, words too thick to reach my lips. He’d said
it before, and I had trouble believing it.
    He watched me struggle and touched my face softly with his
wrinkled hand. “Continue building a friendship with your sister. She believes
you but still must unlearn distrust of all Mages. Keep close watch over our
territory, and inform your mate immediately if you sense a strange Wolf. Beta,
watch patiently and quietly. Do not let my granddaughter’s unease affect your
actions unwisely. Pack against pack is to be avoided at all costs.”
    Billie nodded her understanding. Kato indicated the time for
privacy had ended, but Billie asked him to wait and addressed Kathryn. “Would
you mind giving us some privacy?”
    “Of course,” she replied graciously and rejoined the others
in the living room.
    The question that weighed on Billie burst out of her as soon
as Kathryn left the protected area. “What happened to Sadie today?”
    I shrank under the dark eyes that usually brought me
comfort. “Your mate can answer your question.”
    I couldn’t look at either of them and responded softly. “I
got lost.” Kato once told me that my power came with a risk of becoming lost to
myself. I’d already known.
    “You have been lost before.” He nudged gently, drawing the
truth out of me.
    The lie I told myself for years had become so natural it
felt true. Even Wolves couldn’t smell the lie as it passed my lips that
afternoon. Kato coaxed it out of me, refusing to accept the deception. “Once,
when I was 16. After I came home from partying that night, I got lost. That’s
the real reason I quit using magepower.”
    “What do you mean you got lost?” Billie asked, drawing me
close to protect me from my own anguish.
    “I got lost in my own mind and couldn’t find my way out. I
couldn’t hear you or Kato. It’s terrifying.” I shuddered, the room suddenly
feeling cold.
    As usual she looked for an action or solution when handed a
problem. “How did you get out?”
    “I heard Nathan.” It shamed me to admit that I’d heard his
voice when I couldn’t hear my mate’s.
    “He reached through your guilt. You uncollared him.” She
understood and through our bond I sensed her gratitude to Nathan.
    Kato watched us closely, his expression one of concern and
sorrow. “You fear becoming lost to yourself. This is a burden you must face.”
    “How?” I asked desperately.
    “The Pup is correct. You are Pack. When lost, search for
your packmates, and they will guide you out of the void. Do not run from them
or you risk becoming lost to yourself.” I nodded, understanding that part.
Nathan’s voice had penetrated the void because he alone reminded me of the
potential good in my power. Something else nagged at me, but I couldn’t put
words to it. You are never alone, daughter. What you fear will not come if
you accept yourself as Pack and your