Chapter 9 My first shift is coming

Bonnie's POV

With dread weighing heavy in my heart, I realized it was about time for Nathan to leave, and once again, worry about Elise consumed me. The farewell party was scheduled for the Saturday after the full moon run, and today was just Wednesday. Tomorrow marked my eighteenth birthday, a day I had been eagerly anticipating. For female wolves like me, reaching this milestone was of utmost importance, as only after shifting would I be able to recognize my mate.

Anticipation bubbled within me as I eagerly awaited my transformation. Would my fated mate be here in this pack, or back home in Scotland?

My parents had called me at an ungodly hour of 2:00 a.m. to wish me a happy birthday. Mom's voice was filled with longing, "Happy Birthday, my love! I wish you were here to celebrate it with us. Maybe you'll meet your fated mate at this full moon run." Dad took the phone next, saying, "Happy birthday, lass! Wishing you many more in the future. Let me know when you shift, and make sure Alpha Brian and Uncle Cameron give me a call when it happens. I need every detail of this important event in your life. By the way, we sent you a birthday gift; let us know if you liked it."

I rose from my slumber around 7:30 on that full moon day, rushing to the bathroom. While brushing my teeth, an itching sensation in my gums reminded me to call my parents before noon, considering the time difference between the USA and Scotland, so I wouldn't disturb their sleep. I quickly dressed and left the house, knowing I had no classes that morning, heading straight to the Walters Corporation.

Upon my arrival, the secretary informed me that my desk had been moved into the Alpha's office, which left me curious about the sudden change. As I entered the Alpha's office, my eyes widened at the sight of a bouquet of twenty-four red roses adorning my desk, along with two boxes of chocolates and a bottle of my favorite Dolce Gabbana perfume. There was no sender mentioned, so I assumed it was from the company. I felt truly special, though my curiosity nagged at me to discover the sender's identity.

Opening my email, I noticed a message from Alpha Brian with a Happy Birthday pop-up card and the day's expectations. He mentioned being away on a trip to the company's office in Canada for the next couple of days but assured me he'd return before the full moon for the initiation of the York Pack Ceremony, an important event we needed to complete together.

When noon struck, I called my parents to discuss the gum itching. My dad explained, "That's the onset of your canine elongating, lass. You might also get extremely dehydrated as if running a fever with burning skin. Drink plenty of water to avoid fainting. Be on the lookout for growing pains as well."

Training before the shift was mandatory for all young wolves, and my training was particularly rigorous because I came from a different pack. Wolves needed to be proficient in self-defense against both predators and hunters. Efficiency and fighting techniques were crucial for our survival, and only the bravest and most skilled would endure. I learned fighting skills in my human form while watching others fight in their wolf forms. Cousin Louis, my instructor, showed me how to rotate in the air during the transformation and how to attack the jugular vein. It seemed intricate, but he assured me that practice would make it second nature.

As the day of the full moon approached, I trained diligently, feeling a fleeting whiff of sandalwood and orange in the air, though it quickly faded. It was as if someone were watching me, but when I looked around, I saw no one. I dismissed it, thinking my mind was playing tricks on me.

The Alpha summoned me to meet with him, his Beta, and Gamma, so I asked Cousin Louis for a ride, which he graciously accepted. Being Alpha Brian's Gamma, he had to be there anyway, and he drove me to the pack house. I noticed that preparations for the full moon run were in full swing, with Elise busy assisting Roseanne, Alpha Brian's mom, in the arrangements. Despite no longer leading the pack, Brian's Alpha parents remained actively involved in planning and executing activities, expressing their intention to embark on a world tour once Brian was settled and his Luna took control.

Upon entering the pack house, I once again caught a whiff of the familiar sandalwood and orange pheromone. The Alpha instructed me to stand beside his Beta, Frankie, and asked Nathan to stand on his right, with the Gamma positioned behind me. He then cut our thumbs and pressed them together, leading us to recite the vows. "I, Bonnie McTavern, break all tethers with the McTavern Pack of Edinburgh, Scotland," I declared, solidifying my commitment. Alpha Brian instructed me to repeat, "I, Bonnie McTavern, accept tethers with the Yorker Pack of New York, USA." As I finished, the scent grew stronger, presumably representing the Yorker Pack. I began to hear a myriad of conversations and thoughts from the members of the Yorker pack, though I focused on one voice that greeted me with a deep tone, "Welcome to our pack, Bonnie," the Alpha's wolf communicated.

The following week brought the full moon, and in preparation for our shift, each unshifted wolf received a large T-shirt and a pep talk. We were warned of the imminent pain during the transformation, as our bones would shift to assume our wolf forms. Beta Frankie assured us that he would be there to support us through the unbearable ordeal, along with our Alpha and Gamma.

Around three o'clock on the day of the full moon, I was plagued by a strange and terrible headache. I sought refuge with Nana, who promptly requested some painkillers from the butler. He informed us, "Mrs. Richard, the physician sent some pre-shift medication for Ms. Bonnie."

After taking the medication, Nana instructed me to rest before the run, given the pain I had experienced. With no other family members around, I headed straight to bed. I managed to snatch a one-hour nap and woke up to the sound of my phone's alarm. Feeling refreshed and with the headache gone, I knew I was ready for the impending shift.

As the time neared, I donned my oversized T-shirt and shorts and made my way to the pack house, joining the other unshifted wolves. Laughter and howls filled the air as we goofed around and enjoyed each other's company. By quarter to six, everyone had gathered, eagerly awaiting the moon's rise. We formed a circle to support those about to shift, with most wolves pairing off or joining their families if they didn't have a mate. We would run together as a family.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I met Nathan's concerned gaze, and he whispered, "Don't worry, Bonnie. I'm here to support you."

At that moment, Alpha's phone rang, and he handed it to me. My parents had stayed awake to witness my shift and promised to stay on the line during the transformation. Overwhelmed with emotion, I began to cry. My dad's comforting voice urged, "Come on, Lassie, you can do this," and my confidence took a small leap.

Soon, it was time to begin the run, and one by one, the teen wolves began their transformations. Aaron was the first, and we watched as golden hair sprouted from his ears, hands, and feet. His body contorted with pain, and then, he elongated and shifted into a beautiful golden wolf, racing into the pack forest.

One by one, all nine teen wolves successfully shifted, leaving only me. It was getting late, so my parents ended the call, telling Alpha Brian to notify them when my transformation began. Alpha instructed Beta Frankie to go get his mate and lead the pack, and Cousin Louis, despite wanting to stay, was encouraged to join the run.

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the pack as they embarked on their full moon run.

My excitement and anticipation were palpable, but as I stood there, my heart pounding, a strange sensation washed over me. My body felt like it was on the verge of a momentous transformation, but something was different—something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

The Alpha waited patiently, alone, for my long-anticipated shift into my wolf form.