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Chapter 7

After singing happy birthday and probably too much cake we all head out to the courtyard which is covered in twinkling fairy lights, they hang on beams, trees and any high surface that can be reached with a ladder. The small lights provide a warm glow to the outdoor space.

Someone sets up the music and it's time to dance and forget about everything. Unsurprisingly Greta is one of the first onto the dance floor grinding against a blushing James. Greta is feisty, and headstrong, perfectly complemented by her somewhat awkward and sweet mate. A smile floods my face admiring them while I join them letting my body get carried away with the rhythm.

The high energy pop music fades into something softer and my father pulls me away from Greta asking for this next dance and I can't refuse. I reach my arms up and link my hands together against the back of his neck and rest my head on his chest. “I’m so proud of the person you’ve grown into princess, I know I upset you yesterday but sometimes your old man doesn’t know what he is saying”

“It’s okay Pa, I was just a bit moody. I love you” lifting my face from his chest and looking at how much the past few years have worn my father, his beard more salt than pepper these days and smile lines around his dark eyes that mirror my own. He returns his love and places a kiss on my forehead that I pretend to wipe off saying it's so embarrassing even though the gesture warms my heart.

Eventually the beat picks up again and he leaves me to dance while he catches up with Beta Jiang about some pack business, some weird activity noticed around our pack borders that's causing him some concern.

The sun went down a few hours ago and the dancefloor is still lively and I am losing myself in the rhythm when I feel two hands snake around my waist from behind, setting sparks alive across my skin. I freeze, knowing there's only one person that could possibly make me feel like this.

“It's okay little mate, please don't stop dancing, I want to apologise about earlier” he says softly in my ear, Adam has never used this soft tone with me and it melts my heart.

Trying to go with the flow and give this bond a chance I turn to face Adam, his large hands still sitting firm on my hips. We sway gently with the music and my eyes have locked into his forest green ones while the scent of campfire and cinnamon is so strong I can practically taste it when we’re this close. I drop my gaze to his lips wanting to taste them, wanting to feel them pressed against mine “You look beautiful in that dress Willa”

That's why he is with me right now, because I'm pretty now, because I'm Willa. I know it's probably irrational but I'm angry, and so I pull his arms off me and storm away from the courtyard to hide in the treeline surrounding the pack.

Sitting in the roots of a large old tree I pull my knees up to my chest resting my chin atop them just trying to relax in the tranquillity of the forest. It's not long before I’m no longer alone, Luca comes and sits next to me and we sit in silence for a bit before Luca breaks it. “Adam said you ran off upset, he wouldn't tell me what happened just said he doesn't know how to help with ‘emotional stuff’ if he was the one that upset you try to brush it off he doesn't really know how to talk to people Roman”

“Don't call me that, My name is Willa, I was being stupid earlier just forget it” I spit at Luca, I don't know why i'm so angry and why I am taking it out on him but its bubbling up in me and I can't control it.

“Come on now Roman don’t say that, today felt like the first time I ever saw you, like really saw you and I've known you for two years! I have seen this eating at you for two years, you don't need to tell everyone but you can be honest with me at least, what happened to confident Roman the next Alpha of this pack that I met earlier” Luca tries but I can't think straight.

“I SAID DON'T CALL ME THAT! I am Willa, next Luna of this pack, the next Alpha isn't me, it's your dumb brother! So just leave me alone! Roman does not exist, Roman is a dumb fantasy!” We stand up and I shove him away from me but he manages not to stumble.

“Look clearly something has got you upset and you're not ready to talk about it yet, and maybe my ‘dumb brother’ is the cause of it but that doesn't mean that I can be your punching bag, if you want a fight call over Greta but I am done for the night” Luca shoves me back and before either of us can say anything else a strangled cry leaves my lips as I feel my like my skin burning up and my bones cracking.

“Shit Roma… I mean Willa I think you're shifting, this is gonna hurt okay just breathe, shit ALPHA, LUNA HELP!” he screams hoping to hear over the music but still staying by my side. I see his eyes glaze over as he opts for the pack mindlink since not a soul can hear us from here. I drop to the ground writhing in pain as I feel each of my joints pop out of alignment.

“Im s-so s-s-sorry L-Luca p-p-please don't h-hate me” I cry out to my friend who has done nothing but support me, he simply shushes me and tries to unzip my dress and take off my shoes and jewellery to make the shift easier.

I hear several sets of footsteps make their way over, crunching on the dried leaves of the forest floor, notably my parents who’s soothing voices break through the sound of my cries. When I feel I can't take any more and the pain overwhelming me I feel a soft hand caress my exposed skin weaving chills in its wake, cutting through the inferno that is my skin.

“Shh little mate I'm here, don't fight the shift just breathe okay?” Then it all goes black and before I know it I'm standing on all four paws staring directly into my mate's eyes and he looks to be in awe of me.

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