Isabella's pov
They let us in. It was five mintues until midnight and they allowed us to go into the territory. Relieved washed over me as our cars slowly rolled onto their pack lands away from the barren lands that surrounded this territory.
The fear that had made itself comfortable in my brain, the cause of my anxiety slowly disappeared. Slowly, and not all of it disappeared because I still had my biggest problem looming over me, it was almost my birthday, five minutes away to be exact and it was a fullmoon. And I had heard stories about shifting for the first time underneath a full moon and no, none of them involved a romantic get away with a hunk of a beast the minute you transformed, these were something else. Something more terrifying for me to think about.
Rumors had it that, the full moon exerted a strange phenomenon to wolves, not all but the minority. The strange effects involved a forced shift and you would have no way to stop it.And because it is forced, it very painful, you feel like your body is being ripped apart, everything on you feels like you are on fire. Worse, you lose your mind like a rogue and run around like a crazied wolf. These stories came from all over, in all the four regions, they had all seen someone who experienced this. So people said that the reason why this happened was magic of some sort but others, other logical people linked it to the presence of an alpha when you first shift. They researched and found that if you are of a weaker breed, there chances that you would be overwhelmed by the power of a full moon was extremely high but in the presence of an alpha, the effect would be nullified by his wolf.
That's why I had been so worried, I fit the description perfectly, I am an omega and weak. And tonight is a full moon, what would happen to me? To be honest, the south did not plan on letting us through,we had stayed for a long time outside after I woke up but there was no movement. It was until i had 10 minutes until midnight that i paincked. And though Don was an enemy until proven otherwise, I had no choice but to call him and ask him to tell them that I am turning 18 in ten minutes and I was not planning on having my first shift in the middle of nowhere.
My voice was pleading with him but apparently Don could not say anything without a straight face, so it must have sounded like I, the princess of the Lucian Pack was threatening them to open the gates because I have my 'daddy's' backing which i didn't. But in any case, it worked, the message was relayed and in five minutes their gates opened for us.
Now we were driving into the territory, the place was huge, and I am saying this not because I have brilliant night vision to measure how many acres are here but because we had been driving for so long. Their land truly stretched out and for an anxious girl like me, this was truly the worst.
I squirmed in my seat, I had weird sensations all over my body. My body was tingling and it felt like the hair follicles all over my body were letting air into my body. I felt a constant humming sensation. I looked outside and accidentally made contact with the moon, suddenly my heart rate accelerated, pounding against my chest. I looked away convincing myself that it was just my anxiety but fear was creeping in, what if i was in the minority? What if the moon would have that effect on me? I panicked,
" stop the car," I whispered to the driver as my breath held in my throat. I was not sure if he would hear me and clearly, he didn't as the car did not stop.
" I said stop the car!" I roared. And he suddenly slammed the brakes and i was propelled forward by a great force almost colliding with the seat. The car came to a stop. Without a second thought, i did not care about the driver's rudeness just now, I opened the door and got out.
I was about to sprint to the woods when the car in front of us also stopped. Don came out. Initially, the car was behind the one i was in but then after the long wait, for precautions' sake, the diplomats suggested that they drive through first, and if there is an ambush they would protect and i knew that was bullshit but i still played along.
" What's the matter?" Don asked his face never changing.
" I don't feel so good, so i am going to head to the nearby woods," I told him.
He paused, " That's dangerous, I am coming with you." he said I couldn't believe my ears, even Lucian's dog wouldn't care about my life and death, why was he?
" No. I am fine, go ahead, I will meet you there." I said to him in a voice i hoped was calm because it was all i could master. I did not want him there, I wouldn't shift in front of a stranger.
" Look, I would love to stay here and chat but I feel like my body is on fir right now, so I will leave first, take the others with you to the Crescent pack house and apologize for me." I said and sprinted in the direction of the closest part of the woods with dense trees.
I was frightened and not by the intensely dark woods but by what could happen to me. I was sure it was past midnight now. I ran as fast as I could and stopped by a tree when I felt my breath getting shorter and shorter. The running had helped with relieving the burning sensation i had.
I paused to catch my breath, the air here was clean and fresh. I took a huge greedy gulp. Suddenly a voice sounded in my head,
Hello, Bella. It was a deep, rich but womanly voice.
I froze and stopped breathing.
Don't worry silly, it's me, your wolf, Natalie.
My mouth hung open.
You can talk?
Of course, silly all wolves can talk, we just choose if we want to or not.
oh. I said, i was speechless, i could hear my wolf's voice in my head. Just as I was about to get excitement i decided to handle the most pressing issue first.
Natie, can i call you that? I asked my wolf.
Yes, you can. You can call me anything you want, Bella. She replied.
Okay, great. Thanks. Now, let's start, are you in a crazied state? I asked her, I know it was crazy but i needed to know what exactly i was dealing with.
What? No. She replied, shocked and amused.
Are you affected by the moon? I asked her
Yes, but for a different reason, I will explain later after your first shift. She answered.
Okay, then is it going to be painfull? to shift i mean? I did my best here to mask my terror over the whole thing.
She did not reply instantly like the first couple of questions. She sighed
Bella, It will only be uncomfortable but I am not promising anything except for that I will be with you every step of the way. She said. Her voice was soothing and comforting just like the pine and wood scent that was swirling around me.
Wait, what? Why had such a scent filled the air when it initially was not there? I sniffed once more, i had to admit,it was intoxicating and before i could grab onto the situation a strong force pushed me against the tree i was leaning against and held me by the neck.
But my wolf was not alerted or scared, instead, Natie said.
Mate!