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were on the run that I realised it was all true. The scariest part was when I realised that I was a shifter. The first time I shifted was terrifying, but as soon as I was in my wolf's body, it felt like I was home.”
    We talked late into the night. It was only when I told my story to someone else that I realised how truly incredible it was.

Chapter 7
     
     
     
    LOUISE
     
     
    “Promise you'll come back,” Coral said, as we prepared to leave. We'd spent the night in the cave, and were now both fully rested.
    “I promise,” I said. “And you must visit us too once our mission is over. There'll always be a place for you in our pack if you ever tire of the lone-wolf lifestyle.”
    I hugged Coral, and then Craven did the same. The jealousy which had eaten into me the previous day was now gone.
     
    We ran side by side along the bank of the stream—it felt good to be back in wolf-form.
    “Thank you.” I said when we took a break.
    “What for?”
    “Searching for me for so long.”
    Craven lapped water from the stream. “I should have told you about Coral. I should have told you everything.”
    “It's okay—I understand. I was a bit put out when I first saw the way you two looked at one another—”
    “Nothing happened between us—”
    “I know that now.”
    “I was at my lowest ebb when Coral found me that day in the stream. I was close to death, and didn't care—I wanted to die. It was one of the few times I came close to giving up on finding you.”
    “Did she actually ask you to stay with her?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why didn't you?”
    “I couldn't. Not while there was still a chance.”
     
    We had to travel through two more territories before we'd reach Semron. Both were familiar to Craven—he'd passed through them on his quest to find me. We made it through the first without incident. By the time we crossed into the second, Amlow, it was almost midnight.
    “We should find somewhere to spend the night,” Craven said.
    “I'm okay. Let's keep going.”
    “You need to rest. You'll need all of your strength if we run into any trouble.”
    “We've made it this far okay.”
    “Amlow is different. I had a few scrapes the last time I was here.”
    “What happened?”
    “Nothing I couldn't handle, but they patrol their territory in numbers. They expect incursions to take place under cover of darkness. From what I remember, they reduce their patrols during daylight hours. That will be our best chance.”
    “Okay. Just a few hours then.” I could barely hide my impatience. We were close to Semron now, and I was keen to push on so I could find out if Marlow was real or a figment of my imagination. I wasn't sure what to hope for. If it turned out he was no more than a character in my dreams, I'd be no nearer to filling the void of my lost years. If he really did exist, I needed to know what exactly our relationship had been. Had we lived together? Had we been mates? Although I wanted answers, I was afraid of what I might find out. How would Craven react if it turned out I'd taken another mate? It would have been a terrible betrayal particularly after he'd searched and waited for me for so long.
     
    We came across an isolated house on a country road, on the very edge of Amlow territory. It was the only building for as far as the eye could see.
    “This will do,” Craven said, as he shifted to his human form.
    “What if someone comes back?” I shifted too.
    “I think that's unlikely. Look.” He pointed to the glass panel at the side of the door. On the floor, in the hallway, was a pile of post.
    “How do we get in?”
    “The door is probably unlocked.”
    I was about to tell him I thought that was unlikely when he put his shoulder to the door, and forced it open. “See.” He grinned. “What did I tell you?”
    Whoever lived there had left in a hurry. The table was set for a meal, and there were dirty dishes in the sink.
    “What do you think happened here?” I said.
    “Why are you