I stumbled, tripped, fell on my face and probably did some involuntary gymnastics moves as I bawled my way through the woods. It wasn't until I fell into some soft grass that I finally just stopped, curled up in a C shape, and sniffled. I am now a croc. I am a werebeast.
I didn't hate that I was a werebeast. It just…took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it and I wasn't sure how to get around as a croc. Not to mention my identity crisis. What does this make me? How will this change me emotionally? Will I have a mating season? Will I hunt and kill animals?? I shuddered at the thought of sinking my teeth into furry flesh. And blood?? Ew.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trembling. Who am I?
"Wren." Kian said and I could hear him moving towards me. "You will be ok."
"How? I don't even know who I am anymore." My voice was deeper than usual and sounded a little garbled since I was speaking through a snout.
"How does having a beast form change you from who you've always been? Other than you are now gifted with strength."
"I'm not sure. That's why this scares me. I don't know how it will change me as a person. What if I become more animalistic? Like mean and territorial?"
"Your form doesn't make you different in that way. Before this change, if someone got in your personal space when you didn't want them there, didn't that upset you?"
I opened my eyes and looked up at him. I nodded.
"If someone tried to hurt you, wouldn't you fight back?"
Again, I nodded.
"Your animal side is just like your other side. We only get mean when we have to. We only fight when we have to. And we only kill when we absolutely have to. We love. We mourn. You're not losing anything by becoming a beast. You're only getting stronger."
He reached towards me hesitantly, when I made no noise or movement, he rubbed my head. The gesture was strangely relaxing and I felt my body grow soft. My eyelids became heavy and then my body began to shift again.
It didn't hurt while my bones moved around and changed in size and diameter, but it was still disconcerting. Like having the hiccups or getting chills.
I hadn't realized it, but Kians hand had remained on my head throughout the change. Now his hand was caught in my hair and he was studying my face, eyes lingering on my lips. I was doing the same thing, both of us leaning in at the same time…
"Kian!!"
"Wren!!"
I jerked back from my stupor and looked behind to see both Lonna and Jinn heading in our direction. Lonna's focus was on me and Jinn was running for Kian.
"Oh good! I found you Kian!" This came from Jinn.
"Are you ok Wren?" Lonna asked.
"Just a little shook up." I said and started to get up from the ground. Kian was faster and ended up helping me come to my feet. I tried to pull my hand away, but he tucked my hand around his arm and laid his other hand atop mine.
"You might feel dizzy after shifting for the first time. It's also energy draining." He said.
I did feel light headed and so I didn't fight him on helping me walk back.
As we began walking, my knees began to wobble and I dropped, right into Kians arms. He then swept me off my feet in a cradling embrace and began to carry me.
"Uhh, maybe if I just hold onto your arm and Lonna's, I'd be ok?" I suggested, face red hot.
"That's a great idea! Kian, let the girl keep some dignity." Jinn said.
"No." He replied.
"Dignity has nothing to do with it. She's lucky she's still conscious. We pass out after our first change when we're children." Lonna said.
"Yeah, but she's a mature age."
Oh great. Jinn's not going to let it go.
"I don't care. I'm not going to risk it." Kian said. I began to feel uncomfortable laying in his arms with my hands clasped in my lap. I finally had to wrap my arms around his neck to keep the ride more balanced and less bumpy. Kians skin felt cool and inviting in the warm evening. I couldn't resist rubbing my thumbs feeling his skin and a butterfly feeling made my tummy flutter. I blushed from the enticement and when I looked up from his skin, I saw Jinn glaring at me from behind. Remembering myself and the distance I meant to keep, I stopped thumbing him. What is coming over me? Honestly!
When we got back to Lonna's place in Drop Loch, Jinn was told by Lonna to wait outside and I was carried in by Kian. He gently laid me down on my bed mat, my body mourning the distance growing between us as he stood up. "Rest well." He said and took long quick steps to get out of Lonna's place.
I threw my hands to my face. "What is going on with me?" I asked.
"Something going on besides you becoming a croc beast?" Lonna asked.
"I'm suddenly overwhelmed with attraction to Kian. I've vowed to stay away especially since he could possibly find his true mate this last mating call and I…can't!! I can't leave him alone!! It's like, since I vowed I would leave him alone I am suddenly tempted beyond reason to reach for him!"
"Oh!! Yeeeeaaah. That would be the result of swallowing a Lure stone. I forgot to tell you that the red stone Kian gave you…it enhances attraction to the one who gives it to you. Something to do with the stone being handled by him and fed to you. It's almost like imprinting."
"WHAT?! Did he KNOW about this stone?!" I asked.
"Without a doubt. To find one is rare, but often told in our tales of romance. So most everyone knows about the Lure stone. Jinn has been positively FUMING after you told her he gave you one. She's deluded herself into believing you took it from his hand and swallowed it before he could stop you. That you have claws in him. But it wouldn't really make sense because the stone only enhances your attraction to him, not his to you. So it's not like it could make him go crazy over you by giving you one. His attraction and gestures are all done with full intent and control."
My heart hammered as I listened to Lonna explain. My head got lighter and lighter, my vision blurred. Once again, I was invited back to the darkness.