The Assumed Fake Spell

Chapter 6 - First Shift

Andrea

    It had been five months since I turned eighteen and two months since I graduated from high school. I still hadn't shifted into my wolf form, but Rea and I had developed a usually strong bond nonetheless. Jada was helping her mum rearrange their living room today, so I decided to enjoy some alone time hanging out at the willow tree.

    While laying under the protection of the willow tree's leaves, I couldn't help thinking about all the things in my life that were making me feel incomplete. Sure, I lived among some of the finest wolves around, who would do anything for a fellow pack member; but I couldn't help feeling lost, having not found my mate. The fact that I still couldn't shift yet wasn't helping in the least.

    With the leaves of the willow tree keeping most of the wind from penetrating to the middle, I didn't notice the unfamiliar scent until I left the protection of the willow tree's leaves. As soon as I took the first step, the scent of a rogue permeated my senses. My eyes widened in realization, as I was forcefully shoved back into the cover of the willow tree.

    I yelped out in pain, as both my tailbone and head hit the hard ground. A second later, I felt a foot slam into my side. I had hit my head so hard when I fell, it made spots appear in my vision, and I couldn't see clearly through the tears that formed in my eyes. I could barely focus when I heard Rea say, "The time has come, let me take over.'

    Without a second thought, I let Rea have full control. She was quick to shift into our wolf form, shredding the rest of my clothes.

    The rogue stumbled back from the sudden change. Before he could catch his footing, Rea lunged at his throat, ripping through his windpipe in one swift motion. As soon as he hit the ground, she gave me some control back.

    I was so proud of Rea for saving our life, I ran back out to the meadow and let out a loud howl of victory. Within seconds a handful of our warriors emerged from the tree line and slowly stalked towards me. I could see the confusion in all their eyes, as they did not recognize my wolf.

    As they came closer, I seen their eyes turn darker, smelling the scent from the rogue. They started growling and snarling at me, thinking I was the rogue they smelled.

    Instantly, Rea took back over and darted into the cover of the willow tree. The warriors didn't waste any time chasing after me, but they stopped dead in their tracks when they took in the scene in front of them.

    One of them walked over to the rogue and sniffed him. The next second, his eyes glazed over, and I knew he was mind linking with the other warriors.

    After a minute of them mind linking with each other, the biggest wolf shifted back to his human form. The next second, he demanded that I shift back to my human form. Rea had given control back to me, and I did not know how to shift back yet, so I lowered my head in submission and let out a small whimper. Rea was quick to console me by saying, 'It's okay, Andrea. Just picture your human form, but do so with a quickness.'

    Right away, I did as she suggested and thought about my human form. The next second, I heard a loud gasp.

    When I opened my eyes, I realized I was in my naked human form and hastily used one of my arms to cover myself. Meanwhile, I used my other hand to grab the blanket Jada and I always kept out here. The warriors were respectful enough to turn around right away, while I got myself covered with the blanket, then I sheepishly cleared my throat.

    The warrior who had shifted back to his human form ran out from the willow tree, and returned a minute or so later wearing a pair of black shorts. He cleared his throat before uneasily mumbling, "I apologize Andrea, we did not realize it was you and we could only smell the rogue's scent."

    "No harm done, don't worry about it," I sweetly responded before I glanced at the dead rogue and snarled, "but if you would, please get rid of this foul piece of s**t who tried to harm me,"

    The warrior chuckled heartily before replying, "It would be our pleasure. Now please return to the pack house. There could be more of them around."

    I nodded my head in response, before taking off and sprinting through the forest, with one of the warriors following close behind. Once I got to the edge of the woods, I slowed my pace to a jog. I was breathing hard from the running. Not to mention, the excitement of shifting into my wolf form. I couldn't wait to tell Jada all about it.

    Once I was halfway between the tree line and the pack house, Anton suddenly burst through the front door and started frantically looking around. As soon as his eyes landed on me, he sprinted in my direction. As soon as I was within his reach, he swooped me up into his arms and ran back into the pack house.

    When I realized he was heading towards the safe room, I felt my stomach twist in panic. With trepidation, I shakily inquired, "Anton, what is going on?"

    While banging on the safe room door, he yelled to the others, "It's Anton! Open the door." After that, he looked me straight in my eyes, allowing me to see anger and fear before his emotions switched to love and worry.

    What he said next left me reeling for a second. "Rogues are attacking! Stay in here! I will come back, I promise! I love you, little sis."

    As he set me down, I clutched at his shirt and croaked out, "I love you too, bro. Please be safe."

    Anton gave me a quick hug, before he rushed out of the safe room, leaving me to worry about him and the other warriors. Jada was quick to secure the door before she engulfed me with her arms. This time we didn't have Jeanie with us, since she became one of our strongest warriors after my parents were killed. However, we had Jada's younger brother, Jack.

    It didn't take Jada long to realize I was only wrapped in a blanket and looked like hell from running through the forest after being attacked by the rogue. Just the thought of shifting for the first time made my eyes light up with excitement, which in turn made Jada's violet eyes widen in confusion.

    I couldn't help the giggle that escaped from my mouth at the confused expression on her face, which simultaneously turned to a look of pure irritation. I didn't waste any time pulling Jada back to me, before I whispered near her ear, "Oh Jada, I finally shifted."

    She pulled away just enough to stare into my eyes and asked, "Really?"

    I nodded my head, and gave her a big smile, causing Jada to jump up and start doing her silly happy dance catching the attention of the others, who were also in the safe room with us. I wanted to join her but I couldn't take the chance of dropping my blanket. Instead, I just laughed and enjoyed watching her have fun.

    It was nice to see that in a scary time like this, her little happy dance was bringing smiles to everyone around us. Before long, the pups of the pack crowded around her and start dancing, too. It was truly a beautiful sight that made my heart swell with joy. While enjoying the moment, I decided I wanted pups of my own in the future, which meant it was time to start looking for my mate outside of the Forest Pack.

    The battle with the rogues must have been an easy win, because our warriors weren't gone long at all. By the time Jada and the pups started to wind down, the warriors were already knocking on the safe room door. On instinct, the entire room fell silent until we heard Alpha Damien say, "It's okay now! You can unlock the door." He sounded abnormally calm this time, so I wasn't filled with a sense of dread like I had been the day my parents died.

    Jada was the first to reach the door, and she didn't waste any time getting it unlocked. Right away, the warriors ran into the room searching for their loved ones. Anton was by my side in no time looking at me in wonder. After a few minutes of him staring at me in silence, I couldn't take it any longer. "Anton, stop staring at me like that. What has gotten into you?"

    He was beaming with pride as he exclaimed, "I am so proud of you, little sis. I can't believe you shifted for the first time today, and you made the first kill in this win we just got."

    Gasps filled the room as everybody looked in my direction. Jada swiftly ran to me and excitedly gushed, "Is it true? Did you kill a rogue?"

    I let out a little giggle of embarrassment as my cheeks flushed red. I never liked being the center of attention, but I couldn't help feeling good about myself, seeing all my fellow pack members looking at me with so much pride in their eyes.

    Alpha Damien patted me on my back as he said, "You have become such an amazing she-wolf. I know your parents must be so proud watching you from above."

    I gave him a quick hug, then I glanced back at Jada and Anton. Feeling excessively drained from everything that had happened, I timidly asked, "Would it be alright if we celebrate this tomorrow. I am feeling quite exhausted and need to get some rest."

    "Of course, little sis! Shifting for the first time takes a lot of energy. I am so glad you are okay," Anton replied as he gave me a quick hug. As soon as he pulled away from the hug, he rushed out of the safe room.

    Jada grabbed one of my hands and helped me to my feet, as she warily mumbled, "I am at least walking with you to your room"

    I followed her lead while we made a plan to go for a run together in our wolf forms. We decided we would go after breakfast, and she assured me she would ask Anton to join us.

    After she left my room, I took a quick shower before crawling under the blanket on my bed. As soon as my head hit my pillow, I drifted into a deep sleep.