Early Shift

Early Shift
\[Lucian’s POV\]
I begin to call on the energy that I was familiar with from my first shift, and I can slowly feel it beginning to awaken. The full moon was just in a week's time, so Aspen was there; he was waiting for me, but I needed to find him.
‘Aspen,’ I call out while dodging an attack from the mage. ‘Come on, answer me.’
I continue to search within as I move, planning my own attack, but this body of mine isn’t as fast as my adult version. It’s quick enough to avoid too much damage, but still not to my liking.
Oh, come on. I hiss inwardly, continuing to draw on my alpha energy. I couldn’t have been brought back this time to just die.
Or could you have? The small voice in the back of my head asks, causing my stomach to churn and my anger to spike. You died in the future, so why not die now that you’ve helped achieve your goal?
That’s bullshit.
It was complete and utter bullshit to actually think that I was brought back to this time and place just to die. I knew better, and I knew that if I believed in such a thing, then I would most certainly die.
“I won’t give up.” I growl as I feel the pressure from earlier slam into me. “Not like this!”
As the words leave my lips, I can feel a stirring within me, but before I can grab ahold of it and pull it further to the surface, the pressure increases and I’m once again falling to my knee while I push with all my might to remain standing with my other leg.
“This is quite entertaining.” The mage laughs, his lips twitching into a broad smile. “Who knew that I would get to see such a good show before slaughtering all these wolves?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I huff, standing once again. “The only slaughter that is going to happen today is you.”
Drawing on all the energy I have, I surge forward, my claws extended, my canines elongating, and then I’m jumping, landing on top of the mage so that I can dig my fingers into his eyes.
“Never look down on your opponent.” I puff while he lets out a wail of pain. “That’s how you get yourself killed.”
As I speak, I remember Pandora telling me the exact same thing, and I can’t help but smile.
It looks like you’re always with me in some way or another. I think as pain shoots through my arm.
Looking down, I find that the hilt of a dagger is sticking out of it, and then excruciating pain races through my veins.
“Silver.” I hiss, releasing the mage and stumbling backwards. “So, this is where Lux and his friends got ahold of it.”
Of course it would be a human who would provide the silver, but since this blade wouldn’t stay inside me long, it shouldn’t cause as much damage as the last thing.
Biting down on my bottom lip, I pull the blade out of my skin and then take in the injury that it has caused. I can see muscle and even some bone within, but I can’t let it stop me. I couldn’t let it stop me.
With my opponent blinded, I stood a better chance against him. At least, that was what I hoped, but when the pressure returns, I know that he doesn’t need to be able to see me in order to perform his magic.
“I intended to play with you a bit longer.” He spits, making the pressure so intense I crash to the ground. “But it seems that you didn’t appreciate it.”
“Appreciate,” I rasp, feeling like my ribs are going to cave in. “Who the hell would appreciate being treated like a toy? Not me,” I continue, reaching out toward the power in me. “And most certainly not anyone else.”
Come on. I think, searching desperately for Aspen. Grant me this one thing. Just let me shift already so that I can…
I don’t get to finish my thought before the pressure slams into me, easily slamming a few ribs and causing a coppery taste to erupt in my mouth.
Fuck. Was this really happening? Was I really going to die here and now before I knew that things were safe for Pandora?
‘Well, look at you.’
The voice appears in my mind, startling me but quickly giving me a sliver of hope.
‘You’re really taking a beating.’
‘Aspen,’ I rasp, relief rushing into me over hearing his usual annoying voice. ‘You’re here.’
‘Surprisingly.’ He admits. ‘What the hell have you been doing all this time without me?’
What have I been doing? Wasn’t it clear that I was getting my ass handed to me? I didn’t think that I needed to tell him such a thing.
‘Instead of being a dick, could you help me?’ I puff, feeling another rib snap. ‘Before both of us end up dying.’
‘Is that how you ask for a favor?’ He asks, only further infuriating me. ‘You should be asking kindly.’
‘WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THAT!’ I roar, wishing that he was here physically so that I could strangle him. ‘If you don’t hurry, we are going to die.’
‘Alright.’ He sighs as immense power starts to wash into me. ‘Just remember that you owe me.’
‘Whatever. Whatever you want, I’ll do it.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise, so hurry up and shift already?’
‘Alright,’ Aspen chuckles, and I feel my body beginning to shift. ‘Let’s teach this piece of shit what it means to mess with an alpha.’
‘Let’s.’ I agree, feeling the pressure lightening up on me. ‘But make sure that he stays alive. We need him for questioning.’
There could still be more mages working with Lux and his mercenaries. If there were, we would need this asshole to help us find and locate them. Once we did everything, it would be safe, and we could finally put an end to all this bullshit.
Letting out a howl, I stand on all four legs while getting used to the feel of them in this body. Once I'm certain I'm steady, I bare my teeth and let a snarl rip through me while the mage's cocky expression shifts.
'Oh, the pup can actually shift.' He says. 'But that's fine. It isn't like a tiny wolf will be able to defeat me.'
Think again, asshole. I think, wondering if he would be so fucking cocky if he could actually see me, but I guess this ultimately guaranteed my victory.