Free Resounding Truth: (Werewolf Novella) (The Resounding Series) by Kate Thomas Page B

intellectually any of them would want, but emotionally he was abusive, demanding and self-serving.
    "That's a lie. He can create anything he wants in any of us. He can even go so far as to control our movements if he wanted to."
    "How do you know this?" Dru asked, moving toward the sound of running water. They'd only been gone a day from their old campsite and already Dru missed spending time near the large cliffs and huge bodies of water.
    "I study a lot. Merilla's mate, Gareth, has a ton of old books in their tent, and if you're nice to him, he'll let you read them." She shrugged and reached down to pick up a small sprig of mint.
    "Books about our pack or packs in general?"
    "Both."
    "And you've seen something that says the Alpha has the power to make us physically feel something that we don't already feel?"
    "Not that exactly, but there’s book after book about the power of the Alpha. He alone has the ability to force us into loving submission. It's all fake, but you couldn't tell that if you looked at it from the outside."
    "Great," Dru mumbled, her eyes averted toward the dark blue water just beyond the next grouping of oak trees. "Look at that. A lake."
    "What's it with you and water?" Karis laughed and motioned for Dru to go. "I'll catch up. I want to see if there are berries around here."
    Concern washed over Dru, stopping her from bounding off. "You sure?"
    "Yes. I'm not a child. I only look like one."
    She gave a goofy grin and Dru laughed before jogging toward the lapping water of the large man-made lake. No one would be able to tell she wasn't human, so the only risk was encountering a Hunter who would quickly know her hidden truth.
    The sun hung high in the sky, the warmth of its rays warming her exposed skin as her skirt flapped in the wind. She walked to the edge of the water and sat down on the rocky shore, her feet ankle-deep in the cold water. She leaned back, her upper back pressed to the wet rocks and her knees bent, without a care in the world. Something about the peace offered by the water called to her. She could lay here forever, and yet evening would arrive soon and there were far too many things to do.
    The gentleness of the wind caressed her skin, her hair fluttering every few minutes as she drifted off to sleep unknowingly.
     
    Dark clouds hovered just above the scene before her, Caleb face to face with a large white wolf. He stood in human form, his body bruised and torn, the effects of a fight she'd missed. She start toward him, only to be held still by an unseen force, his attention on the animal that stalked him like prey. Dru cried out to him, but he didn't respond.
    For a few moments the beast and man simply walked around one another, the aggression thick in the air. One of them would attack soon, and the wolf was assured to win. It was large and beautiful, resembling Caleb's own wolf form, from what Dru could remember. Was the beast family or was the likeness just a coincidence?
    Dru didn't have time to think much longer before the large white wolf moved back, as if retreating. She sighed and felt the weight of the situation slip from her shoulders, Caleb's own demeanor shifting slightly as well.
    Everything shifted quickly, the wolf turning from his descent and making a full race toward Caleb, the fear in Caleb’s eyes telling of his end. Dru screamed as the two collided, the animal quickly ripping out the throat of the beautiful male that was destined to be hers forever.
     
    "NO!" Dru sat up with a scream on her lips, the water icy and the day having turned into night. She stood quickly, her brow coated in sweat from the horror of the dream.
    Her sister was nowhere to be found.
    She turned and ran toward the forest, fear riding her hard. "Karis? Karis? Where are you? Karis!"
    Silence surrounded her, the absence of noise almost deafening. She yelled for her sister once more before a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air.
    Something had her sister. Without hesitation, she raced