Chapter 196

LUCAS POV

I got Shana in touch with a relator that my father used to use when he started his business. She was a woman in her mid-40s and very knowledgeable about the area where we lived.

She promised me that she would be able to get the best deal for Shana when selling the house.

Shana and I had only had the small ceremony for her father a week ago, but in that time, I've noticed a big improvement in Shana's mood and overall attitude.

She's much more upbeat and livelier. Slowly but surely, she's becoming herself again.

I've noticed that she doesn't like being left alone, so she often creeps into my room at night when Grandma Jo is already fast asleep, and leaves before she wakes up.

After Grandma Jo's last fit, I didn't want to risk upsetting her again, but at the same time, Shana needed me. And besides, sleeping together was harmless. We weren't doing anything except comforting each other.

Today, I was driving Shana to her house where the relator would begin staging the house for potential buyers. Shana had been going through many of her possessions, packing up old things or throwing them away over the past week.

It was overwhelming, a trip down memory lane every single day. However, I think cleaning her father's house helped her heal in some ways.

"If it's okay with you, I want to be alone today," Shana said as I drove. She sat crisscross in the passenger seat.

"Alone?" I questioned, quirking a brow. "All day?"

"Just when we go to my father's—my—house," she clarified. "This is the last time I'll get to be there before people started coming in to look at the house. I want to... say goodbye on my own. I'm sorry if that sounds silly."

I shook my head. "That doesn't sound silly, Shana. You know I'd love to be there for you, but this is something that you have to do for yourself. I'll just drop you off, and then you can text me when you need me to pick you up, okay?"

"Okay," she said with a smile. "Thanks for being so understanding."

"Of course," I replied, bringing a hand up to her face and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm really proud of you. I want you to know that I look up to you. Through everything, you're still so strong. Anyone else would have crumbled by now."

"Sometimes, I want to," she admitted. "Sometimes, I want to cry all day or scream."

"That's completely normal, Shana. If you wanted to do those things, nobody would think that you're crazy."

"I know that, but I feel bad that I'm... trying to get over it so quickly." Shana leaned her face into my hand. "But if I hold on too long, I’ll never be able to move on from this feeling."

"You take things at your own pace. Don't compare yourself to how others heal and cope. If this is what's best for you, and what's working, then that's all that matters."

I feel her smile against my hand, and I take my eyes off the road for a moment to look at her.

"You know... after I shifted last time—I'm surprised I haven't had any urge to do that again." Her tone sounded confused.

I had almost forgotten about how Shana had completely lost control and shifted into the White Wolf. That was only a little over a week ago now, and the two of us still haven't had any time to talk about what happened.

We seemed to have swept it under the rug.

"You don't feel an urge to shift?" I asked, needing her to confirm.

She shrugged. "When my emotions felt all over the place or it felt like too much, that's what triggered me to lose control. I've felt so many emotions this past week, but it hasn't caused me to shift like that again."

"Does any part of you feel anything different?"

She pondered the question. "Not really... I guess I just haven't really thought about it. Do you think that running into the tree effected it somehow?"

"No," I said with a shake of my head. "That's not possible. It could have stunned your body, but I don't think that will have any effect on your shifting."

She hummed, looking out the window in thought.

"Maybe it's because you're grieving, and your body is trying to re-energize itself. You're still healing from running into that tree, and your heart is still healing from the loss you've experience. Your hormones and emotions aren't regular right now," I said.

"You're probably right," she said.

"I think we need to let Professor Black know eventually," I said. "It's starting to get out of hand, and it doesn't seem like he's been able to find any of the answers we need."

"Do you think he's trying?" Shana asked.

I shrugged. "I don't see why he wouldn't be. This is technically his life's purpose. I think it might just be difficult for him to find any information that might be helpful to us."

"That's probably what it is," Shana sighed. "I'm starting to get sick of all of this not-knowing and what-ifs."

I snorted. "Yeah, same here. Although, I feel like it's much worse for you since it's about you."

I turned the car onto Shana's driveway where the relator was already parked.

Putting the car in park, I turned to Shana. "You'll be okay?"

She nodded. "As okay as I can be. Once we get the pictures of the inside uploaded, I think it shouldn't take too long to sell this thing. His car only took four days to sell."

Shana had sold her father's car a few days ago for less than half the price. It was only a couple thousand dollars, but it was better than nothing.

Her father didn't have the nicest car, but at least it was able to function properly.

"Remember to text or call me when you need me to pick you up," I said as she unbuttoned her seatbelt. I leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

We still hadn't properly kissed since before her father passed, but I didn't want to rush into it. Shana would be affectionate with me when she was ready.

I noticed the blush on her cheek as I pulled away. "Okay, I will. Bye!"

She hopped out of the car and I made sure she was safely inside before pulling away.

I started to make my drive back to Grandma Jo's house, thinking about what Shana must be going through right now.

I didn't know that it was possible to care for someone as much as I did for her. The pain she felt bled into me, and I couldn't help but mirror it.

I had to keep reminding myself to be strong for her. That's what she needed right now.

As I drove, I noticed something odd behind me. Every time I would turn, it seemed like a car would follow.

I took a detour, checking to see if my suspicions were correct, and the car followed.

I caught a glimpse of a black SUV, and my heart sank in my chest.

There was only one person that could be.

My father.