THE FIRST SHIFT
917 Words
The first hint of dawn had yet to brighten the sky over Moon Shadow Pack.
Inside the small cottage at the edge of the village, sixteen-year-old Liyana was still fast asleep as always.
Within the quiet space of her mind, Nova paced excitedly in endless circles.
Her silver-white fur shimmered beneath an invisible moonlight as her bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
‘Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!’
Liyana groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.
“It’s too early.”
‘Today’s the day.’
“The sun isn’t even awake.”
‘Exactly! We should beat it.’
Liyana couldn’t help laughing.
“You’ve been awake all night, haven’t you?”
Nova immediately stopped pacing.
‘Maybe…’
Liyana smiled knowingly.
“You didn’t sleep because you’re excited.”
Nova didn’t even bother denying it.
‘I’ve waited sixteen years to run.’
Liyana’s smile softened.
“So have I.”
After getting dressed, Liyana made her way into the kitchen.
Maren was already preparing breakfast.
The older woman looked up the moment Liyana entered and immediately noticed the smile on her face.
“Someone looks excited.”
Liyana laughed.
“Nova hasn’t stopped talking.”
Nova lifted her head proudly.
‘Because today is important.’
Maren laughed.
“I don’t blame her.”
She continued preparing breakfast before looking back at Liyana.
“Today isn’t just about shifting.”
Liyana listened carefully.
“It’s the beginning of adulthood.”
“From tomorrow onward, you’ll officially begin doing the duties expected of an adult omega.”
Liyana nodded.
“I know.”
Maren reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand.
“I’m proud of you.”
Liyana smiled shyly.
Those simple words meant more to her than Maren realized.
By morning, the entire pack buzzed with excitement.
Several wolves would be turning sixteen that day.
Families decorated their homes in celebration.
Children followed the older teenagers through the village, asking endless questions about what shifting felt like.
Some older wolves insisted it didn’t hurt at all.
Others exaggerated wildly, claiming it felt as though every bone in the body broke at once.
Nova whispered quietly,
‘They’re all trying to scare us.’
Liyana smiled.
“It’s working.”
As she walked through the village, many pack members stopped to congratulate the teenagers who would be shifting that night.
Across the pack, eighteen-year-old Kael finished leading the morning warrior training.
Years of hard work had shaped him into a skilled fighter.
His commands were calm and clear.
The younger warriors respected him.
Inside his mind, Onyx watched proudly.
‘They’re getting better.’l
Kael nodded.
“They are.”
A familiar voice interrupted them.
“You’ve improved as an instructor.”
Kael turned to see Alpha Magnus approaching.
He smiled.
“I’ve had a good teacher.”
Magnus returned the smile before his expression became thoughtful.
“Don’t forget tonight.”
Kael frowned slightly.
“The first shifts?”
Magnus nodded.
“Every wolf remembers their first shift.”
Kael looked toward the sacred clearing where the ceremony would be held later that evening.
“I remember mine.”
Onyx chuckled.
‘You cried afterwards.’
Kael rolled his eyes.
“I did not.”
‘You absolutely did.’
“You’re annoying.”
The day seemed to move painfully slowly.
Nova grew more impatient with every passing hour.
She imagined running through endless forests.
Swimming across rivers.
Racing the wind beneath the moon.
Every time Nova described another adventure, Liyana laughed.
By afternoon, even she couldn’t hide her excitement anymore.
As darkness settled over Moon Shadow Pack, every member of the pack gathered in the sacred clearing.
The teenagers who had turned sixteen stood together inside a large circle.
The elders waited nearby.
Warriors quietly kept watch around the clearing.
Alpha Magnus stepped forward.
His voice carried across the silent gathering as he welcomed the young wolves into the next stage of their lives.
He reminded them that shifting wasn’t about becoming stronger than others.
It was about learning to live in harmony with the wolf who had always shared their soul.
Liyana smiled.
Nova spoke softly.
‘Ready?’
Liyana took a slow, steady breath.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The first wave of pain stole Liyana’s breath.
A cry escaped her lips as every muscle in her body tightened.
Bones cracked.
Her body trembled violently.
Nova never left her side.
‘Stay with me.’
Liyana gasped.
“It hurts…”
‘I know.
Just a little longer.’
The pain became worse.
For one terrifying moment, Liyana believed she couldn’t do it.
Then…
Everything became quiet.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Standing where she had been only moments before was a graceful silver-white wolf with bright blue eyes.
Exactly as Nova had always appeared inside their shared mind.
For the first time…
Nova wasn’t only in Liyana’s mind.
She was free.
One by one, the newly shifted wolves ran toward the forest.
Liyana hesitated.
Nova gently nudged her.
‘Come on.’
Let’s finally run.
The silver wolf burst forward.
The wind rushed through her fur.
The earth trembled beneath her paws.
A joyful laugh echoed through Liyana’s mind.
‘We’re doing it!’
Liyana laughed with her.
Neither of them had ever felt so alive.
Hours later, after returning to her human form, Liyana lay on the grass beneath the stars.
She was exhausted.
Every part of her body ached.
Nova let out a long, satisfied sigh.
‘Worth it.’
Liyana smiled.
“Worth it.”
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