JASMINE'S POV
"Well, well. About time you woke up."
I froze.
"Don't panic," the voice said. "You're not hallucinating. I'm you. Sort of."
"What?"
"I'm your wolf. Your spirit. The part of you that's been sealed up like some forgotten library for twenty-six years. Nice to finally breathe again."
"You're inside my head."
"I mean… technically, we share it now… we've always shared it. But sure. Let's go with that."
I leaned against the sink, trying to catch my breath. "Why do you sound like a sarcastic life coach?"
"Because we're the same. And sarcasm is how we cope."
I closed my eyes, head spinning.
"No," I whispered, voice barely audible over the sound of the still-running shower. "No, this isn't happening. I'm dreaming. I have to be."
The wolf's voice chuckled, a low, knowing sound that curled around my thoughts like smoke. "Denial. Stage one. Textbook reaction."
