Chapter 20

Emersyn’s legs gave out. She dropped to her hands and knees and tried to suck air into her body. Where did Noah go? She couldn’t see him now. Kobie was on the ground in front of her, saying something, but she couldn’t focus to hear her. The air on her skin burned. They said it would feel better, but it wasn’t. She shouldn’t be doing this. Shifting wasn’t allowed.
Her whole body was shaking, making the panic more intense. Her skin felt like it was crawling with something. This was wrong. Something was wrong. Her breathing kept changing, it felt like it was out of control. She tried to slow it and breathe as they said, but her body wouldn’t listen. She was panting—like a cat.
Opening her eyes wide, she managed to lift her head. In front of her was a huge deep orange tiger. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to make her eyes adjust and focus. They were blurry for a second, and then it was as if a veil was lifted. The tiger in front of her was clearer, his coat a radiant orange now was so clear she could see the individual hairs in it. She looked into his eyes and knew it was Noah. Noah hadn’t left her; he was right there in front of her. A soft coaxing sound came from deep in his chest and he moved closer, nudging her with his soft head.