Chapter 8 | Adjusting

Silas

By the time Lux and I finished breakfast, everyone else joined us and we all started talking about the fact Lux and Kai shifted last night. 

It’s crazy, but I imagine it has something to do with the fact they’re royalty. Kai seems frustrated as we all talk and doesn’t say many comments, but I notice that both his and Lux’s eyes cloud up multiple times, showing that they are mind linking and, more than likely, they are linking each other. 

I want to see what Lux’s wolf looks like. When we were kids, I vaguely remember seeing her shift into her wolf. I glance over at Lux. I bet she has the most beautiful wolf ever. 

I feel my shin get kicked and I wince in pain, then look across from me to see my brother, David, glaring at me. He knows about my crush on Lux, and he’s never approved of it. But now that we know for certain that she is not my mate, my crush on her just pisses him off.

Lux scoots her chair back and stands up, but before I can even try to accompany her, her brother is by her side, leading her away. David mind links me and tells me in a demanding tone, “Our quarters as soon as you’re done eating.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes at his demand, but I know better than to argue with him, and I might as well get this discussion over with. I head straight up to our floor and my mom, dad, and David weren’t too far behind me. Once we were in the privacy of my parent’s room, my dad looks at me and says, “You have to stop this thing with Lux.”

I look over at each one of them as they nod in agreement. I sigh, “She’s my best friend.”

My mom shakes her head, “Son, you don’t look at her like she’s your best friend. You look at her as if she’s the missing piece in your life.”

That’s because she is. But I can’t tell them that.

David adds furiously, “You have a mate who is waiting for you. A mate who will want your whole heart, not just a portion of it.”

For some reason, that hits me just right. He is 100% right for being upset with me. There needs to be some distance between me and Lux. I can’t keep longing for her. I need to put my focus on my future and finding my true mate. “You’re right,” I sigh, “I’ll start creating some distance between us.”

My dad pats my shoulder as he reassures me, “It’s for the best, son.”

Lux

I’m grateful that I ate this morning before the rest of our family joined us. Kai was getting annoyed as everyone brought up the fact we shifted, and he was constantly linking me just talking about how frustrated he was.

Both Kodi and I were getting a headache from his constant complaining, but apparently, his wolf was begging him for another chance to get out. He grabs my arm and leads me out of the dining room as fast as he can. He leads me outside and I take a deep breath as I try to let the smell of nature soothe me. With how Kai is acting, it’s difficult to not feel tense. 

Kodi muttered to me, “Loki can be an absolute pain.”

I smirk at her words as I hear Kai muttering random things to himself. I feel bad for him, but I’m not sure how I can help him sort through this. He is going to have to figure it out on his own. He asks me with desperation laced in his voice, “Can’t you ask Kodi to help me out here?”

I chuckle, “You act like it’s that easy, Kai. Kodi tried to help last night, but Loki is a stubborn and strong wolf.”

He growls lowly and for a moment I wonder if that was him because he was frustrated with me or if it was his wolf because I offended him. I respond, “Settle down there, wolfy.”

His voice changes as I hear him say, “We need to shift!”

Kodi speaks to me earnestly, “Let me take over?”

I give her the reins and she says harshly, “Loki, go back!”

He growls again, “I have to get out, Kodi.”

“You need to learn that you aren’t always allowed to be in control! Now give the reins back to that poor boy.”

“Kodi.” He growls back, and she growls back at him and then warns, “I will get the King again.”

“Oh, you tattle tale! Come on, I just want to be a wolf the way that I’m supposed to be!”

“Well, that’s not what the moon goddess had in store for you now, is it?”

“That’s because she’s punishing me!” He yells in my face, but Kodi doesn’t even flinch. It’s like she’s accustomed to his outbursts. She huffs, “Getting to be a werewolf instead of a regular wolf is a blessing.”

He retorts, “For you! It’s what you always wanted. If I had it my way, then I would still be a regular wolf and only have to worry about myself.”

She sighs and after a moment says, “Don’t you think we should talk about this stuff later? When our human sides understand what’s going on?”

He ignores her comment and asks, “Why don’t you feel cursed? You’re blind! You are missing out on one of the biggest senses.”

“Because I like my human, and I like the way Selene blessed me. Maybe in my next life I won’t be blind, but I will take the hand I’m dealt now.”

Loki continues to mumble incoherent sentences, but after a few minutes, Kodi asked, “Are you ready?”

He grumbles, “Fine.”

I can feel as Kai takes control once again. He’s confused and Kodi speaks to him, “I’m sorry, Loki is stubborn, but I’ll do everything I can to help you adjust.”

He asks, “You’re my sister’s wolf?”

“I am,” she responds proudly and continues, “It’s complicated the history I have with Loki. As our bonds grow with you, maybe one day we can fully explain it. But for now, all I can say is to be patient. He is a good wolf.”

Kai scoffs, “I’ll take your word for it.”