I compose myself as best as I can and head back to the ballroom. I pray to the Goddess my blush doesn't give me away. The last thing I need is for someone to smell Erik on me and...
"Hey! Where have you been? Your mom and I have been looking for you for like 10 minutes.", my dad interrupts my thoughts.
"DAD!", I gasp loudly.
He stops in his tracks with a question mark etched on his brow. "Um...sorry. I-I just needed a minute...alone. To myself. Before my shift."
I try to hide the lie in my voice, but if I can hear it I'm sure he does too. He approaches me slowly, he places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"Enya, honey, are you ok? It's alright to be nervous before your first shift.", his concern for me is genuine.
Seems like he bought the lie. My guilt is suffocating, I hate lying to my parents.
I sigh, "Yeah dad. I'm...ok. I'm ready.", that part is true. I am ready.
"I've waited my whole life to meet my wolf.", I nod with confidence. "Let's go."
*****
My mom, along with Aunt Ally and Luna Lizzie are prepping me for my shift. We're back in the second floor common room.
The crazy mess that Jemma and Kate had made while getting ready has been cleared. The room has been prepared for me. A garment bag for my dress is handing on a coat rack, next to it is a silky red robe. A pair of red slippers are sitting next to the rack.
They delicately remove the triple Moon comb from my hair and let it fall naturally on my shoulders. Mom unzips my dress and I step out of it. She hangs it up in the garment bag.
She takes the robe off the hanger and picks up the slippers. She hands the robe to Luna and bends down to remove my heels. I step out of my right shoe, mom slides the slipper on. She repeats this with my left.
"You'll want to remove your bra sweetie if you want to keep it for the future.", my mom gently tells me.
I've never been naked in front of Luna Lizzie before.
I look to her, she smiles sweetly before encouraging me, "It's alright dear. There is nothing to be nervous about. Being bare in front of our pack members isn't something to be ashamed of."
"I know it's just that...", I don't finish my sentence because Aunt Ally chimes in, "It's going to take some getting used to. I remember how apprehensive I was at first too. But before too long, it will feel perfectly natural."
Their sincere smiles give me the courage I needed. I nod my resolve and mom moves to my back to unclasp my bra.
Luna places the robe around me, I slip my hands in and she pulls it up to my shoulders. She straightens my collar as I pull the front closed and tie the belt securely.
"It's time.", my mom said behind me.
Her hands encased my shoulders while giving me a promising smile.
I take a final deep breath and exhale. "I'm ready."
We leave the common room together and head to the front entrance of the packhouse. Two patrolmen open the doors for us, we walk through and I am taken aback by the view of our pack.
Everyone had gone to change their clothes, no one wanted to ruin their nice suits and gorgeous gowns.
The men wore basketball shorts with either a tank top or no shirt at all. The women wore leggings, or athletic shorts, some wore a sports bra while others a tank top.
We walked down the steps of the pack house and make our way to the front of the pack. The lawn was filled with our brothers and sisters. I could feel how excited and proud everyone was.
My dad, along with Alpha James, Beta Caleb and Melanie, stood side by side, before the pack.
My mom pulled me in for a tight hug then went to stand next to dad. Luna did the same, her hug was not as hard, but still filled with love. She took her place next to Alpha.
Aunt Ally was the last to hug me. But before she did, "Just remember, the first shift is the hardest. Prepare your mind for the pain, but don't forget the exquisite sensation of feeling your wolf."
I nod my head and she wraps her arms around me. I squeeze her tightly before she takes her place in the crowd.
I removed my slippers and felt the cool grass between my toes. I walked further into the clearing, standing alone, I faced my Alpha and Luna.
A few days ago I imagined this moment. I assumed I would be terrified, I would have knots in my stomach and my heart would be racing. Surprisingly, I was calm. My heart was steady.
I could feel the rise of the Moon beginning. A peculiar warmth began in my fingers and toes. It was a summery feeling that traveled up my arms and legs. It enclosed around my spine before reaching my heart.
A small gasp escaped my lips at the intense heat that spread in my lungs as the blaze crawled up my neck and filled my face. I closed my eyes and relished the warmth before sighing.
'Whoa... this is incredible.'
'Yes it is dear Enya.', a voice spoke to me.
My eyes shot open. 'What was that?'
'You've heard the stories all your life. You know who I am.', the voice rang out again. It was soothing and tender.
'You're my wolf...', I replied to her.
'Yes Enya. Our Moon Goddess chose us for each other. We will never be apart again.', she cooed to me.
'What's your name?', I eagerly ask her.
'Athena.'
I smile to myself and Alpha James addresses the pack.
"Blood Moon wolves!", he bellows.
"WHOO!", the pack replies as they pounded a fist across their chests. The sound vibrates through the Earth reaching my feet. The hair on the back of my next stands up.
"The Moon has begun it's rise! Soon we will welcome the newest wolf to grace our ranks! May our future Zeta be blessed with the wisdom, strength, and courage of the Moon Goddess herself!", he finishes.
The pack howls and whoops over and over before dying down and a quietness falls over the pack.
My gaze wanders towards the mountains that sit beyond our pack boarders. I have spent countless nights fixated on the Moon as it rose above the majestic peaks. Tonight the Moon's arrival will change me forever.
I see the tip of the Cresent Moon slowly crawl above the mountain ridge. My eyes behold the breathtakingly radiant light that the Moon casts on the mountains.
The luminous shine stretches across the night sky. I begin to feel a tingling sensation in my spine. It creeps down my arms, then my legs.
My breathing hitches as I feel a scorching burn on the back of my neck. I gasp louder as my head falls back forcing my eyes on the Moon again.
I hear my bones begin to snap and crack, I cry out in agony. I fall to my knees screaming as my spine breaks. My left hand starts to sprout fur. I shut my eyes tightly as more bones break, I think it's my ribs.
My arms begin to snap, my cries are uncontrollable, tears stain my face.
'Don't fight it Enya, trust me. It will be over soon.", I hear Athena say trying to comfort me.
I breathe in and out, over and over. I will my body to allow the shift to take hold of me. My cries die down as I bring my eyes back to the Moon.
"Moon Goddess, I am your willing servant.", I breathe out.
I feel my body being lifted from the ground, but there are no hands holding me. A warm light cradles me above my pack, it's the most glorious thing I have ever felt.
Everyone is astounded and gasps, no one has ever witnessed a shift like this before. The warmth from earlier returns and my body relaxes.
'You will achieve wonderous feats, my little Wolf.', the most stunning voice fills my mind.
'Athena...Was that you?', I question.
'No Enya. That was my Mother. Our Moon Goddess.', she tells me.
My bones begin to break again as the warm light continues to suspend me. Only this time it's not painful, no cries fall from my lips. The silk robe falls from my body landing just below me.
My arms and legs sprout pure white fur, they contort and bend to form Athena's powerful legs. I close my eyes as the rest of my body allows Athena to come forth.
When I open my eyes again, I find myself back on the lawn...on all four paws.
Athena feels incredible. There is no feeling like this in the world, I can feel how powerful she is. How powerful we are together. My blood courses through my veins with purpose, I feel in my soul that the Moon Goddess has truly blessed me.
She looks to the Moon that hangs above the mountains, she howls with all of her strength. The pack joins in howling with their future Zeta.
She looks to my mom, seeing the world through Athena's eyes is beyond thrilling. The love and pride shining in my parent's faces makes me smile with the greatest joy.
Alpha James orders our pack, "Blood Moon wolves! SHIFT!"