The familiar tingle danced along my spine, the shift itching beneath my skin. I removed the rest of my clothes and breathed out, letting my body surrender to the sensation. Fur rippled over my bare skin as my limbs reformed, hands and feet becoming paws.
In seconds, I stood on four legs, a sleek black wolf. I shook out my coat and padded closer to Elle, keeping a respectful distance but letting her know I was there.
She met my gaze, her eyes impossibly wide in her human face. I saw the question there, the desperate need for reassurance.
I lowered my head, holding her stare steadily. You got this, kid. I'm right here.
She undressed quickly, barely letting a flash of skin show before a shudder ran through Elle's slim frame and fur began to sprout. Her breath came faster, shallower. The shift was taking hold, and she was terrified.
I stayed perfectly still, a calm port in the storm. She could do this. She would do this. And I'd be beside her the whole way.
Elle's body trembled violently, her limbs spasming as the shift overtook her. She gasped, a sharp intake of breath that sounded like a sob.
Then, the change. Bones snapped and realigned, the sound like twigs breaking in a forest. Fur sproutedalong her arms, her spine, racing over her skin in a wave of russet.
She dropped to all fours, her face elongating into a muzzle, ears pointing and migrating to the top of her head. A tail uncurled from the base of her spine.
It happened so fast, faster than most early shifts.
In the space of a heartbeat, a small russet wolf stood where Elle had been, her fur a perfect match for her father's. She blinked up at the world, her golden eyes wide with wonder and a hint of fear.
Nathan let out a triumphant howl, his head tipped back to the moon. Around us, the pack joined in, their voices rising in a chorus of celebration.
They surged forward, noses outstretched to welcome the newest shifter. Elle shrank back, her ears flattening against her skull. A low whine escaped her throat.
I shouldered my way through the crush of bodies, inserting myself between Elle and the pack. Back off, I warned with a low growl. Give her space.
Elle pressed against my side, her small body trembling. I nuzzled her shoulder, a gentle reassurance.
She met my gaze, trust and gratitude shining in those golden depths. I felt a fierce surge of protectiveness. This kid was something special. And I'd be damned if I let anything happen to her.
A quiet whimper escaped Elle's throat. In the space of a breath, she shifted back, her human form curled in on itself, exposed and vulnerable.
Elle scrambled for her dress, her hands shaking as she yanked the soft fabric over her shoulders. Her face burned with embarrassment, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Everyone knows what this means," she whispered as she threw herself against my fur. Mortification radiated off her in waves. My heart ached, an echo of my own painful memories resurfacing.
Before I could shift back, Krystal and a few other female pack members approached, their faces soft with understanding.
"Oh, honey," Krystal murmured, crouching down beside Elle. "It's okay. This is a big moment."
Jenna knelt on Elle's other side. "We've all been there. Every single one of us. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Elle ducked her head, her grip tightening on her dress. "But the boys. They'll make fun of me. They'll know that I..." She trailed off, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
Anger flashed through me, hot and sharp. Those little brats. I'd like to see them handle their first shift with even half as much grace as Elle.
Krystal caught my gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. She turned back to Elle, her voice gentle but firm.
"Listen to me. Those boys? They have no idea what you're going through. They're just being idiots." She brushed a strand of hair from Elle's face. "This is a rite of passage for she-wolves. It means you're growing up, becoming the strong, fierce woman you're meant to be."
The other women murmured their agreement, their faces radiating pride and solidarity. I felt a swell of gratitude for my pack sisters. They knew, just as I did, how much this moment mattered.
Elle sniffled, peeking up at us through damp lashes. "Really? You're not just saying that?"
"Really," Tavi said, as I moved to crouch in front of Elle.
I nudged her with my snout as Tavi continued, "Elle, sweetie, this is something to celebrate. You shifted for the first time in front of others tonight. That's huge."
