Joanie sat at the kitchen table and watched Glenis work her mortar and pestle. The room was bright, large banks of windows letting the sunlight shine inside. Ginger colored cabinets and forest green marble counters warmed up the room. The artful brown ceramic tile used as the backsplash and floor brought it all together to form a space that was both easy to clean and welcoming.

Schubert sat on the window ledge gazing out into the morning light, his tail swishing in contentment. No doubt he’d been fed something delightful.

“He seems happy.”

Glenis smiled. “As well he should be. Greedy man ate twice what I put out for him.”

Joanie grinned and shook her head. A change of clothes and a shower had worked wonders with the woman fussing over her and Schubert at every turn.

The center island was filled with herbs in pots and poultices in several stages of completion. On the stove, a large pot of stew bubbled, and the rich aroma made her mouth water.

After getting her comfortable, Glenis had brought her here, placing a hot cup of fresh cinnamon tea in front of her.

“Does he kidnap all the women he brings home?”

The buxom redhead turned, a look of surprised concern on her face. “Why would you think that?”

“He brought me here against my will.”

The other woman sighed and wiped her hands on her apron. “The man is an idiot sometimes but he means well.”

“By kidnapping me?” Her head still swam, but the tea helped. What she really wanted to do was go to her room and lie down.

The other woman considered her for a moment. “The Moon is coming and we can't leave you to your own devices in a human hospital. If Hexen knows who you are, it could be a problem. Didn't you see what they did? Chasing down a woman an injured woman and a pup?”

Did she? She was trying hard to remember but it was still a blur.

“Why can’t I remember?”

“It’s the fever. Your body is changing. The wolf is settling in and that can be a tough experience.”

“Wolf?”

Joanie had seen her in her mind’s eye, but talking about it out loud sounded like she’d fallen down a rabbit hole. Hell, she’d felt the wolf’s presence when the doctor was near. Like she wanted to climb a freaking pole. Or him.

Oh God.

Joanie rubbed at her throbbing temples and tried to find a reasonable explanation for what was happening to her.

“You have to understand something.” Glenis set down the herbs she was working with and came toward the table where Joanie sat. “You were human yesterday. Now, you are one of us. You may not want to believe it, but here you are. The sooner you come to terms, the easier your transition will be.”

“It’s crazy,” she whispered. “All of it.”

“I know.” Glenis reached out and took her hand. “I was on the other side of the table once upon a time. It was easier for me because I knew about the wolves. But, when I met Brand… well. Being a witch didn’t stop me from mating with the man I was meant for.”

Mating.

There was that word again.

“Why do witches hate shifters so much?”

“Not all witches,” Glenis corrected as she rose from the chair.

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Are you familiar with the story of the Hatfields and McCoys?” Glenis went back to grinding herbs with her mortar and pestle.

“I've heard of that.”

“Well, that's kind of what's happening here. Misunderstandings and a whole lot of idiots that keep stirring the pot.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re not that much different.” Glenis glanced up from her herbs. “Witches and wolves both live and die by the grace of the moon. Both sides have gotten greedy and want it all for themselves.”

“How do you mean?”

Glenis pursed her lips. “Wolves change with the full moon. They revel in the wildness; become a little piece of Mother Nature. Witches follow the ebb and flow of the tide. Our powers rise and fall depending on what the intent is and what time of month we’re performing magic or a working.”

“You make it sound like a menstrual cycle or something.” Joanie grinned.

Glenis snorted and laid her pestle down. “I hadn’t thought of it quite like that, but I suppose it does bear some resemblance. I do get a little bit cranky during the dark of the moon.”

“Oh man.”

“Yep. Brand knows better than to get under my feet then.”

“So, what’s happening tonight?”

“Ah. The Gathering. Every three months the pack gathers for a run. Solidarity and healing for everyone. In times like these it’s especially important.”

“Do you… change?” The question had been burning in Joanie’s mind.

“Yes.” Glenis regarded her thoughtfully. “I do.”

“Does it hurt?”

The other woman sighed and leaned back against the counter. “The first time was a bitch. I’ll never forget it.” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and let out a breath.

“I won’t have a choice, will I?”

“No.”

“Is this why…” Oh lord. She couldn’t even get the question out. Joanie wanted to ask if this was why she felt such an intense attraction to Royce despite the circumstances.

“Go ahead.”

“How did you know Brand was the right one for you? He didn’t steal you or anything did he?”

A loud burst of laughter escaped the other woman’s lips. “No. I’d love to see him try.”

Joanie gave her a sheepish grin.

“No. Our parents were on the Counsel together and we had to deal with each other every month while they pounded out policy and rules. Then, one meeting, we found we had more to talk about than how foolish our parents were being.”

“So, they’ve been fighting for a while?”

“Too long.”

“It’s stupid.” But as she sat there, images raced through her mind. The pup in the alley. The wolf buried underneath the pallets, and the bite. Her transition from wolf to woman and the horrible man who stalked them until Tim put him down.

God. Tim was a witch?

Her boss?

A giggle slipped from her lips before she could stop herself. This was real. All of it. And she was going to be a werewolf.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

She hadn’t seen a thing. How many times had she walked past someone and not known they were a shifter or a witch?

“Why don’t you go rest? For now, you focus on getting on your feet. We’ll talk more later. I need to get this medicine up to Clare.”

A young woman came through the swinging kitchen door. “Glenis, you needed me?”

“Yes. Sonia, this is Joanie. She was just going back to her room to rest a bit. I need some help with the bread for tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She wanted to help, despite the feeling of slipping into the Twilight Zone. Normal tasks would be a blessing, but when she stood, her vision blurred.

“I think maybe you’re right. I will rest awhile. Right now, it’s kind of like I’ve traversed into another dimension.”

Glenis nodded. “Get some sleep and I’ll see you later.”

Joanie stood.

“Just give it time. You'll adjust. The changes in your body are going to come fast. You’re feverish still. Go. Sleep.”

Joanie made her way out of the kitchen, back through the living room, and up the stairs. Still dizzy, she paused to catch her breath half way down the hall and leaned against the wall.

She heard voices and put her head inside one of the rooms. It was the woman and her son. Clare. Her name was Clare. She lay still beneath the covers, her face a pasty white. Her son, David, read to her from one of the magazines next to the bed. He spied her in the doorway and grinned at her, placing the magazine on the bed next to his mother.

“You're awake. I'm glad you're feeling better.”

Joanie smiled. “I think I am. But I'm going to go rest now.”

“Okay. Just not too long. Everyone's coming. They want to meet you.”

“Everyone who?”

“The Pack. We have a really nice family.” He glanced at the woman on the bed, a bit of his smile slipping away.

“How's your mom?”

“She's still not feeling well.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. You saved us both. We’ll never forget it ever, ever, ever.” The boy held up the Snoopy Band-Aid on his hand.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Joanie frowned.

“Nope,” he replied. “This is for when I got hurt trying to get away before.” He held up the band aid. “It's okay. It'll go away in a day or two.”

“Really?”

“We heal fast.”

“Wow.” She’d always heard that about shifters in the romance novels, but who knew what was actually true and what was pure fiction.

“Thank you.” He threw his arms around her and gave her a quick squeeze.

“You’re welcome.” She stepped back and a cramp seized her body. Joanie stifled an oath and held on to the door knob for support.

“Are you still dizzy?” David asked. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No. Its muscle cramps.” The events of the last day and a half were catching up with her and she felt like she was going out of her mind. She supposed being kidnapped hadn’t exactly helped in that department.

“Sorry. I keep forgetting. I'll take you to your room.”

Forgetting what, Joanie thought. That I was human?

“Thanks.”

He led her by the hand to her doorway.

“You rest. Then you'll be up tonight to meet everyone. Maybe, if you feel like it later, come find me on the trail by the orchard. It’s really nice.”

“Thank you, David.”

He gave her a quick hug and a smile, leading her inside and helping her to sit down on the bed.

“See you later.” He darted off back down the hall, shutting the door behind him and, as she settled back against the pillows, Joanie tugged a light afghan over herself and slipped into an uneasy sleep.