Without breaking eye contact, I removed my clothing, handing it to my father.
A deep breaths, a few snaps and pops of bones and I was looking through auroras eyes at the man in front of me. I was large for a wolf. Standing just a foot sorter than his 6 foot human height. I saw the shock on his face. I refused to be hurt or embarrassed by anything he could say.
I twice one silver ear and swayed my large fluffy tail. Feeling silly as aurora spun in a circle like she was excited to show her self off.
'This is Aurora, Alexis's wolf. She is excited to meet you. She doesn't get to be seen by many people, as im sure you can assume due to her... different colouring' my mother filled in the blanks I couldn't speak in wolf form without a link to Leigh. I did not expect what happened next.
Leigh knelt down in front of me, putting his head height at my chest. He started patting Auroras fur.
'You are beautiful! Both of you!' Awe sounding in his voice
'Why is she coloured like this? I have never seen a silver wolf before' not braking eye contact and he continued to stroke Auroras chest. Causing a purr from her.
'He like us Lexi!' On the inside, Aurora was jumping with joy. I hated to take it away from her.
'You know theres more for him to see Aurora and he might not after that' she pointed but continued to wag her tail.
'Mumma, tell him to step back. Ill show him the fae form next.' I told her through our link
'Are you sure hunny?' She spoke out loud to let Leigh know how important this was
'Yes. Let's get this over with'
She gave me a nod. The slightest bit of concern showing on her eyes.
'Alpha' she gave him a chance to look at her, to see the seriousness in her face
'There is more to see. But first, you will need to step back. And I would suggest standing up. It's less intimidating that way.
I could see the confusion on his face from beside him but he nodded and stood up, stepping back in line with my parents.
Who then stepped forward and faced him, ready to protect me if needed.
His brows knitted together as a frown crossed his face.
'You are under no threat Alpha, this is merely a precaution as we explained earlier' my father tried to ease the tension.
My parents looked at me and I nodded showing I was ready. That nodded their understanding and faced Leigh.
'You ready Aurora?'
'Let's do this'
I sat down. Pushing up on my hind legs as they started to reshape. My whole body stretching further than it had before. I felt my ears pointing and my teeth growing. My vision changing. Looking through the silver sheen the fae eye sight gave. Wolf sight was already heightened but as a fae, I could see miles further. If I tried hard enough, I would be able to hear the blood moon page on their own lands. Though I tried not to invade peoples privacy.
Where I previously had claws, I now had razor sharp nails that grew into a point. My teeth as long as a human pinky and sharper than my nails.
I looked down at the wolf Alpha, expecting to see disgust on his face.
Instead, it held no emotion. Completely un readable as he stared up at my now 9 foot tall form.
My skin a glowing smooth version of my silver fur. Oddly enough, this form came with its own 'clothing' of sorts. It was more like some chains and ribbons. This form is the form of a warrior. The fae had been through many wars and had adapted, meaning there were no binding clothing, just enough fabric to cover our vulnerable parts and chain to keep it all together.
'Alpha?' It was the first time I had heard this voice in many months and it always shocked me the first time. This voice held no unsureness. Pure confidence and power
He blinked a few times, opened and closed his mouth like he couldn't get words out.
Oh god. This was going to blow up in my face. Should I shift back? Should I just make him reject me now before he sees any more?
'What are you?' The disbelief in his voice was clear.
'I am half Fae. On my mothers side. Not Elanor, as I said there is a lot to explain.'
'I have heard of the fae. But I thought they died out hundreds of years ago'
'There aren't a lot of us left. Many killed by werewolves among other things. The rest are in hiding. I however was rejected by the others for being half werewolf. By mother banished for falling in love with one. Fae and wolves mating was never heard of, my birth was complicated and resulted in my biological mothers death.'
I could see the pain in my fathers face at the mention of her. Elanor, my real mother, touched his arm giving him comfort.
My parents had never avoided the past, their old lives and mates were often included in conversation. 'Parts of your life are not for forgetting or hiding from, they made us who we are' my father would always say.
I shifted back to my human form to give the alpha a moment to process and collect himself before I would consider showing him more.
'Does that hurt you?' Has asked, voice full of concern as he steps forward taking my hands in his.
'No. It happened a lot on its own when the fae genes kicked in when I was 16'
He stood there, just staring into my eyes. I was started to realise, I didn't want to be rejected. This man had seen 2 of my forms and was still here, and concerned I was in pain.
'What are you thinking Alpha?'
'Stop calling me Alpha, as my luna you will be my equal. It is Leigh or wolf or what ever you want to call me, except Alpha'
'Okay. Leigh, what are you thinking right now after what you've seen?'
'I'm not sure completely'
My heart sank. I could see the fear in my parents eyes behind Leigh. I went to step back but he held my wrists firmer
'You are amazing Alex. I see why you felt you had to hide this from me but I wish you had not. Being fae, its nothing to be ashamed about. It doesn't make me feel any differently about you. I don't completely understand what it means or what you require as a fae. Do you have to shift often like your wolf does?'
'It's a little more complicated than that. My body does get stiff and start to ache if I don't shift at least once a month, but its not just shifting. The fae, they have abilities. Mine are particularly strong and I have to be careful not to use them in any other form.'
'What abilities? Is tha how you cracked her ribs with a small blow?'
'Yes. Sometimes if im annoyed I don't control my strength the best but im working on it. Maybe we should leave the abilities for another time.'
'No. I want to know you. All of you. Trust me'
'I have a few abilities. One is fire, I know basic book shit. I can also control peoples nerve systems. Meaning I can control peoples body parts or I can stop their breathing. I can also absorb peoples strength and abilities, if they have any, and use it against them. But only the person who possessed the ability.'
'I don't know what to say. All I know is I want to be there and help you learn to control them. I want to support you in all things.'
'That would be sweet, if that was it'
His eyes widened
'There's more?'
I looked at my parents who both nodded at me.
'This is the part I was most anxious to show you. I am half werewolf, like you. And I am half fae, which you have just seen. But those two things together. I am the thing of nightmares.'
'Don't say such things. I don't imaging you could ever be anything close to a nightmare'
'Well maybe wearing puberty' my mum chimed in giggling
'Hey!' I giggled with her.
'Only if your sure' I would give him one last chance to run
'Of course'
I took three long strides back, again my parents guarding each side.
And shifted. Can you even imagine it? A 9 foot tall creature of shining silver skin, with pointy ears, giant wolf claws, elongated sharp teeth and silver shining fur running down the outside of my arms to match the silver hair that reached the back of my thighs.
I completes the shift with a loud growl that had the alpha stumbling backward a step.
'Sorry. That always happens. This shift is a bit more painful.'
I sat down, trying to look less intimidating. Landing with a thump.
Sitting grown I still towered over him but I tried to make myself as small as possible.
'I have never...' His voice cut off.
I couldn't gauge what he was thinking. But I thought I would push it just a little further. I reached out with my power and waved his hand like you would saying hello.
He stared at his hand with his mouth wide open. I couldn't help but giggle, which sounds nothing like my normal 17 year old girls giggle. Instead it's a loud deep rumble.
I had expected him to run. But to my surprise, he started laughing too. I though maybe this is where he passes out but he just looked at me.
'May i?' He asked reaching toward my hand, which was much larger than his.
I reached out my hand for him. He ran his fingers through the fur on the back and over my claws.
'You must be very powerful'
'I could throw you back to your lands if I tried' he giggled then.
I took my hand from his and let out a breath as I shifted back. I lay naked, curled up on the ground panting. Shifting back from this creature always took a lot of energy. It was quite painful as I rarely did it.
My father started approaching with his jumper I had been wearing.
'Please, let me' Leigh said as he reached for the jumper.
He gently lay it over me. A look of awe in his eyes.
'Why would you think I wouldn't want you'
'Because everyone that has seen me either runs, or try's to kill me. I am an abomination with no where to belong. I'm a monster with no purpose.'
'You belong with me. Your purpose is to be yourself. And as for your abilities, we will help you master them in case the need for them ever arises.'
'Which it might. With a luna this strong, if other packs find out they will feel threatened and may attack.' My mother added in.
'If that happens we will deal with it. No one will ever harm you under my watch'
'Don't want to put your pack at risk. It is safer for everyone If I disappear.'
'Don't speak like that!' He was visibly irritated by what I said.
'Let's get you inside and warm'
He scooped me into his arm and led the way to the house. I could see my parents smiling at each other holding hands as they walked behind us.
I soaked in the warmth from his body and snuggled into his chest.