Read Change (The Shape Shifter Series) for Free Online Page B

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    The car had barely stopped when Sofia ran to the shore and sank her hands into the cold water. It was so cold that it still froze during the night, but now, in the daytime, there was no sign of ice. Only the coldness of the water revealed that northern Norway hadn't yet had the luxury of experiencing the warm breath of spring. Sofia drizzled her face with the water and licked the salt on her lips. It tasted like the mountains. Through its saltiness she could taste the wild rivers that welled in the mountains and she seemed to forget where she was and where they were going. Her mind became as clear as the water and she felt power inside her. If only she could store this moment in her mind and come back to it whenever she needed to. The water gleamed as the sun hit it and she felt euphoric.
    Daniel knelt next to her and cleared his throat. “We should go.” She didn't respond. She hummed happily and he pushed her lightly. “I know you have this weird obsession with water, but do you really want to keep playing and let Marie face the elders without you?”
    Sofia opened her eyes and stood up. She glanced at the surface of the turbulent water once more and then walked straight back to the car. No. She definitely didn't want Marie to meet the others without her. Especially when meeting Erag and Isabel had left a bad taste in her mouth. The others would probably hate her husband and her child as much as they hated her.
    David reached to touch her hand and she sighed.
    “Are you okay?” he asked in concern.
    She stared at her hands, not wanting to meet his eyes.
    “Fia?”
    “Yes, I'm okay.” She squeezed his hand. “Let's go. We've wasted too much time already.”
    David glanced at Daniel, flabbergasted, and Daniel shook his head imperceptibly. David sighed. “Okay, then,” he said. “Hit the gas, Daniel.”
    Daniel didn't need another request. He pressed his foot on the gas and headed to the narrow road that ran between the mountains.
    Sofia was so absorbed in her own thoughts and concentrating on thinking of Marie that she didn't even notice the magnificent view around her. She didn't hear David's fascinated sighs. And when Daniel eventually turned the car towards the mountain of Breitinden, she knew she hadn't been worrying in vain.
     
    Tiamhaidh stood like a rock next to Marie, surrounded by at least sixty shape shifters. Sofia could feel the hatred radiating from them and she was ashamed. Is this how things were nowadays? Where were the hospitable hellos and their manners? Shouldn’t they at least hear them out before judging them? Tiamhaidh was part of the pack and Marie was his promised one - no one could deny that - so they shouldn’t be treated like enemies.
    Sofia leaped out of the car and had to use her elbows to get to Marie and Tiamhaidh. No one moved and gave way, so she didn’t spare the hits when her elbow met their bodies, but even her rough punches didn’t make the crowd move. She saw Gavin behind Tiamhaidh. His teeth were revealed, but the look in his eyes was hopeless. He knew as well as she did that they were way outnumbered and it was only a matter of time before the silent hatred changed into action. Erag was gone, which was no surprise, as he was probably stoking the bonfire somewhere nearby and rubbing his hands in satisfaction, Sofia thought bitterly. But what surprised her the most was that she couldn’t see one single friendly face anywhere. What had happened that her old pack had totally turned their backs on her? You happened, her conscience reminded her bitterly, but she quickly smothered the voice. She glanced round and snapped angrily, “Dé th'ann? Is this how you welcome your guests?”
    The pack grunted quietly, but no one spoke to her. She felt the pack tighten and she was filled with disbelief and rage. She could hear them inside her head and she wanted to puke. She had brought her child here. Not to judge but to heal. And she had honestly believed that at least some of