His Stray

Chapter 26

4 years prior

Lucas shifted the first full moon after his sixteenth birthday, just like most werewolves did. Celia had watched it happen from the edge of the training field. It was tradition to gather there every full moon after turning sixteen, waiting for that first shift.

Except Celia had a problem. She had no idea when her birthday was. So she came every month, waiting.

Waiting for a shift that was beginning to feel less and less likely. Sometimes she wondered if the rumors were right. Was she really a werewolf at all?

Lucas had a beautiful wolf, large and russet brown with bright green eyes. His wolf had been bigger than anyone else’s that night, which wasn’t surprising considering he was an alpha.

Arlo. That’s what he said his wolf was called. He’d told Celia all about it, how it felt to shift, how it sounded to hear a voice inside him that was both him and not him.

Celia longed for that. To feel connected to something inside her the way everyone else did.

But three months later, she was still waiting.

She and Lucas had managed to get back to a version of their old friendship after all the rumors finally died down at school. They’d both agreed it was better not to be seen together. Celia couldn’t stomach the whispers and looks again, and she hated the strain it put on them. She forced herself to swallow whatever feelings still simmered beneath the surface.

Better to have Lucas as a friend than lose him over a stupid crush.

Alpha Marcus, Beta Peter, and Gamma Jason walked among the teens preparing to shift, observing and offering clipped instructions. Other warriors were scattered around too. She’d spotted Landon earlier, but he’d barely acknowledged her wave. Lucas said he’d been sulking ever since being rejected from the Werewolf Academy, and that their father was still furious.

Lucas dropped down beside her in the grass. “Still nothing?”

She gave him a tight smile. “Not tonight, I guess.”

“Maybe you’re just not sixteen yet.”

“Maybe,” she said, plucking at a blade of grass.

“It’ll happen, Cece.” He bumped her shoulder. “You smell like a wolf.”

She wrinkled her nose. Ever since Lucas got his wolf, he had sharper senses. He was stronger too, lean muscle packing onto his already tall frame.

“But not all wolf, right?” she teased lightly. “Everyone says there’s something else.”

His frown was small but quick. “Right. That.”

“Probably has to do with the fire stuff.” She started braiding blades of grass together like she had as a little girl.

“Lucas!” Alpha Marcus’s voice cut through the murmuring field. He strolled over, his eyes sweeping from Lucas to Celia with thinly veiled disdain. “What are you doing here tonight?”

Lucas shrugged. “Thought I’d see if anyone needed help.”

“And does Celia need help?” Marcus’s gaze slid to her.

What a d**k.

Celia flinched, glancing over her shoulder, but no one was there. She turned back. “Who said that?”

“Said what?” Lucas frowned.

But this one is a cutie.

She jerked again, looking around wildly.

“Hmm.” Alpha Marcus’s mouth twisted. “Maybe she does need help.”

“What do you mean?” Celia demanded.

Lucas leaned closer, eyes bright. “Are you hearing a voice? Like someone talking to you?”

“Yeah…” she whispered. “I don’t see anyone though.”

Lucas grinned. “That’s your wolf, Celia.”

Alpha Marcus nodded, looking satisfied. “Alright then. Lucas, stay here with her. Shout if you need help.” His eyes cut to Celia. “Brace yourself, kid. It’s going to be a long night.”

**

Long didn’t begin to cover it. Lucas had passed worried hours ago. Now he was lodged firmly in terrified. Celia writhed on the grass, caught in the painful grip of her first shift.

He knew it was supposed to hurt. His own first shift had been agony. But he didn’t remember it taking this long. Nearly everyone else had finished by now. Gamma Jason had sat with them for a bit, explaining that some wolves were slower.

“Alphas shift quicker,” he’d said. “The weaker the wolf, the longer it can take. She’s probably fine. Just a late bloomer.”

That didn’t calm Lucas one bit.

Landon finally dropped into the grass beside him. “How’s she doing?”

“Shouldn’t she be done by now?” Lucas rasped, voice tight.

Landon watched Celia thrash in the grass, his face serious. “I’ve been at these shifts for a year now. She’s not the longest I’ve seen.”

“What happens if she can’t finish?” Lucas demanded.

Landon was quiet for a beat. “I’ve never seen that. Don’t think it happens.”

Lucas scrubbed a hand down his face. “Her wolf’s name is Ariadne.”

Landon’s mouth quirked faintly. “Pretty name.”

Alpha Marcus appeared, looming over them. “She the last one?”

“Yeah,” Landon said.

“She’s almost through it.” Marcus was perfectly calm. “Won’t be long now.”

“How can you tell?” Lucas looked desperately from his father to Celia.

“You just learn.” Marcus gave Lucas a long look. “Why are you so worked up over this?”

Before Lucas could answer, Landon jumped in smoothly. “Because if she doesn’t shift, Lenore won’t let Lucas sneak any more cake out of the kitchen when you’re not looking.”

Alpha Marcus let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he walked off.

Lucas shot his brother a grateful look. “Thanks.”

Landon clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t mention it.” He climbed to his feet.

Just then, a sharp yelp drew his eyes back to Celia. Her body twisted hard and suddenly a small wolf lay panting in the grass. Black and brown fur, dusted with faint gold around her ears. Her eyes blinked open, bright blue and dazed.

Lucas’s heart swelled, relief flooding through him. “Hey there, Ariadne,” he whispered.

Celia’s wolf let out a soft whine, crawling shakily toward him. Lucas didn’t hesitate. He sank to his knees, running gentle hands through her soft fur until her trembling eased.

He glanced up to see Landon watching them with an unreadable look before he turned and stalked off into the dark.