CASSANDRA
Aunt Josephine hands me this white sheet thing. At least it looks like a sheet. It's not, it's some sort of robe. Makes sense. They plan on me having my first shift in thirty minutes, I would ruin anything else.
The plan is that my family will be outside in the back field. Those that can shift will be in their wolf form. I walk out at ten minutes to midnight and stand in the middle of them. They all stand and support me through the change. I am scared shitless and they all just stand around. Maybe some howling.
Aunt Josephine scolds me as usual. "Now, from this moment on, you could meet your mate. You need to be more reserved. No coming home smelling of other males."
"It was just a hug. I didn't do anything else with him." I roll my eyes. It's bad enough I have heard this crap for the last two months, but she said she is going to stay around for another week to make sure I am settled in.
"Be that as it may, it needs to stop."
I take the garment and go behind the screen. "So how long does it take for the first shift?"
"Depends on the wolf. The stronger ones shift faster. I imagine for you it could take a while."
Can I kill her? Put her out of her misery and mine. "Thanks for the vote of confidence." I step out wearing the sheet. It looks like one. Seriously, it's like they cut a hole in a sheet and call it a garment. "So, what ten minutes, I head out?"
"Yes. I will be out there, so will the rest of the family. Don't be a disappointment. The whole family came in for this. You are the first wolf of this generation, they are excited to see what you will become. Size matters in the wolf world, remember that."
"How could I forget?" I roll my eyes.
"Don't sass me." She gives me that stern look. The look that I have no doubt means she will kick my ass as soon as I shift. I don't really care anymore. Let her. I just want this to be done and over with.
I zone out Aunt Josephine and putter around the room. I don't even notice when she leaves. I just stare at the clock waiting for this hell to be over with.
Finally when it is time I walk out past the back door. It is like a sea of brown. I didn't even realize our family was this big. There are like fifty wolves out here. There are those that aren't shifted yet, they stand a bit further out. I am pretty sure it is so that they don't get hurt if I react during the shift. Calab, Brett and Brittney are close to the door I step out of. They each give me a hug. My mom is further back, I can't read her at all. Not like I ever really could.
Taking a deep breath I head to the center of the wolf sea. I do a little spin in the middle to take a look around. It's not everyday that someone is surrounded by a group of wolves and knows that they will make it out.
A large bell rings out. Aunt Josephine said that it would signal midnight, and some of the males set it up. Instantly I feel pressure in my bones. It all seems to be happening really fast. I can't catch my bearings as my body flings forward. I am on all fours in seconds. Howls erupt around me. I hear the tearing of the sheet garment. Fur explodes on my body. Only it's white. I was expecting brown. What the hell happened? Is there something wrong with me? Did I do it wrong? Shit Aunt Josephine will never let me hear the end of it.
I shake and I am done. Mere seconds and it was over. A chorus of howls follows. I can hear my Uncle in my head. "The white wolf has been given to our pack. The goddess has truly blessed us." More howls.
I don't understand any of it. Especially when I look around the group and they all have their heads bowed. The last is my Uncle, his wolf is the biggest, "You did good kid." Then his head follows the rest.
I am lost. What the hell does all this mean? Aunt Josephine didn't cover this. I feel a little panicked, but then this amazing smell hits me square in the face. Through instinct I react, snapping my head towards the smell. I can't help but follow it. I charge forward and I can't focus on anything but that smell. I pause when I reach the trees. I know it is close, just on the other side of the tree line. I want to go forward, but what if…? I don't even want to think about it.
A smirking man steps out. I stagger back a step. The smell is coming from him. It's him. My mate. The word rings around in my head. He takes a step towards me. "You are even more beautiful than I thought you would be."
I feel like crying, not because I didn't want him to be my mate, but because I can't believe it. It can't be true.
Justin stands in front of me and smiles. "It's alright. Only I have one more thing to show you." He bites his bottom lip and I see him start to shift. I seriously do cry when I see the familiar fur grace his skin. As soon as he lands on all fours, I run for it. It can't be true.
I can feel him run behind me. We both crash through the woods.
My Uncle blares through my head. "Are you in danger?"
"No, I just need to be alone." I scream back. I can't help it. They all saw me run from my mate. Only he is one of them. So I am sure there are plenty there who are on edge now.
We make it past any point I have ever been to before and I feel him over take me. He pushes me to the side and my paws lose their footing. I want to fight him, but at the same time, it has all been too much.
I shift back, crying. He has shifted as well, laying on top of me. "Baby, it's alright. It's done now."
"You were Gray the whole time. You purposefully acted like two different people. You hurt me."
"I know baby, I was just scared I would lose you. You are way too good for me." His lips start to pepper my skin. "But it's done now. No more secrets. We can be together."
I cup his face and make him look at me. "Then kiss me and don't ever stop."
His crystal blue eyes look right back into mine and he smiles. "With pleasure."
When his lips touch mine, I feel my body explode with pleasure. It feels so amazing to have him like this. He is mine and he will never leave me again. He can't. I won't let him.