Jade is trapped in a nightmare. She is falling into darkness and in her terror she desperately reaches out to grasp anything to stop her descent. Strong hands catch her and pull her close. She is trembling so hard that the arms have to pull her tighter to keep her from falling. She is surrounded by warmth and the scent of the man who smells so familiar. Jade clings to the man until she can stand on her own. She slowly raises her face to look at the man who has saved her and he disappears.

Jade is left standing alone in a long hallway of doors. She feels a chill run through her body as she realizes where she is in her mind. This is her secret place were she locks all the emotions from her bad memories. To Jade’s horror all the locks have been removed and she frantically starts securing each door before they open. She can remember her past. It is something that she will never forget but she will not relive the emotions that her memories invoke. She races to each door and with tremble hands places the locks back on them. She hurries to secure the last door and watches in dismay as it opens. Jade stands still as the light from her memory fills the dark hallway. She can feel her stomach knot with pain. She can’t let the door remain open so she must face this memory. Jade’s back is stiff and her is held high as she approaches the doorway and looks into the room.

It is a sunny summer day as the young ten year girl watched her mother explain to her father were she will be going with her two siblings. Her mother comments that the girl will be staying since they will be doing girlie things and the comment hurt. She watches her mother shake her head and make a joke about her being such a tomboy. The little girl shows no sign of the hurt or the dread she feels at being left behind with her father. Her father and her watch as the car drives away. She stands perfectly still hoping her father will not request that she join him in the garage.

”I have work to do so you can go play but I do not want you going into the woods today. So stay within earshot. Do you understand young lady?” he says as he watches her. “Yes daddy I understand”, she says with her eyes cased at the ground. “Go then”, he barks as he enters the garage.

The child races away but she can feel the panic building inside her. What is he calls for her today. She needs to hide somewhere he can’t find her. She runs around to the front of the old farmhouse and looks at the giant Sycamore trees standing there. She could climb to the top of one and it would be very hard for him to reach her there then she thinks about how angry he would be if he found her up in the tree. Her hand grasp her aching tummy and the sound of the table saw made her look in the direction of the garage. Maybe he would be busy until her mother returned from shopping.

Her eyes find the massive shrub located at the head of the driveway. She runs for what she calls her private cave followed by her black setter Alfie. No one knows of this hiding place. She crawls through the tangle of roots and branches until she reaches the spot where she can sit. She waits as Alfie follows her into their cave. It is dark, cool and safe. The girl wraps her arms around her beloved friend and quietly sobs into his fur. The tears wash away the feelings of dread and fear but the feeling of loneliness still engulfs her. She pulls him close and whispers into her beloved pet fur.

”I am so alone”, she says through her sobs.

”You are not alone”, says a warm gentle male voice. She instantly freezes. She is confused. Why didn’t Alfie warn her someone was near and how did they get pass the other dogs. She raises her head and listens. She must be going crazy. She couldn’t sense anyone near her but she knew the voice was real. A smile crossed her face and hope fills her heart. She was not really alone. The girl was so happy that she let Alfie lick her tear stained face until he was satisfied that she was properly clean.

Jade slammed the door shut and locked it. Stupid child she thought. To be happy from a daydream. Jade remembered the voice never touched her again. She stood there trembling with rage at herself for holding onto that hope then the whispers started. Her mind was filled with voices “You are not alone” they kept sayings. She tried to keep them out but the warmth and love was touching her heart.

Jade felt Ruby’s mind join hers. Ruby’s scent filled the air and Jade breathed in her strength. She could feel them all and they were trying to heal her. She realized that Lord Chuck’s scent was all over her and that he was the one who caught her. Yuri’s scent joined Lord Chuck’ and Ruby’s. Jade was getting drunk from their combined scent and the images of sex flooded her mind. She was wrapped in the pain and pleasure. Her heart was pounding with joy.

Jade sat straight up in bed and her heart was still pounding from her excitement. Dee immediately came to her. She couldn’t help laughing as Dee fused over her. Jade complied with Dee’s demands that she lay back down. Her mind contemplated how to explain to them that she was a Changeling. She could still hear the ancient woman’s voice in her head on the day of the accident.

”Rest now my child. Your powers have awakened. You are a rare breed and when you are ready we will return to you”, she said as she caressed Jade’s mind. Jade could hear other voices in her head.

They were arguing with the woman. “I am priestess of this clan grandson. My command over rules even you as our alpha and you will do as I commanded. The woman is off limits until she recovers from her loss and makes her choice” growled he woman.

”As you say grandmother but my beast wants to take her by force” said the male voice in her head. “This one can never be taken by force so I suggest you figure out another way to make her your mate or you may end up dead”, chuckled his grandmother.

“I do not find your sense of humor funny”, he barked.

“Come Raven, I can hear the police and ambulance nearing. We must leave her now to what remains of her family. We will guard her as much as possible but she has to have time to adjust”, said the woman as they left her mind.

Maybe she should wait until she understood what she was before telling them thought Jade. Jade relaxed under Dee’s gentle hands and fell into a peaceful sleep.