The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 13;

I marched into the forest, ready to let Anika out. I had nerves from excitement and anxiousness. Although, I just remembered what Anika said. I was strong and powerful in my own right and I could do something as simple as shifting. If I was to be Luna as well, then I would be facing much more difficult challenges. I could do this. Crace would be there to help me as well. 

I entered the green sanctuary that I call my own and I instantly felt...well, at peace. I felt one with myself. I was no longer worried about shifting. I took a deep breath, the earthy scent of the ground; moss, grass, dirt and bark, combined with the scent of fresh rain and blooming flowers and other forest flora was magical. My heart slowed to a normal rhythm and time seemed to slow down. The sounds of the forest fauna surrounded me; birds fluttered the wings and flew past me, creating a small burst of wind, the sounds of deer's lapping at the stream nearby, and of course, the faint sounds of the fairy nymphs flying around, chattering away. When they saw me, they stopped. 

The fairy nymphs weren't happy today. They seemed to be very displeased. "What's wrong?" I asked them, holding a small hand out. To see them in such a date was definitely concerning. They were always joyful and happy. They all landed in my hand, slowly. 

"Something caused darkness in our forest today" One of them said in a tiny voice. The others murmured in agreement. Though, their voice merely sounded like tiny little bells, the words they spoke today caused a chill in me.

"What do you mean? It's been a beautiful day. There was no darkness?" I said, confused. 

"No, it wasn't natural darkness, it wasn't something of nature. It was caused by magic...dark, evil magic." One of them said, very quietly. She spoke so quietly that I had to strain my ears to hear her clearly.

"Are you sure? Are you sure it was a dark magic that caused the darkness?" I said, very concerned now.

"Yes, you know the forest and the nature of it. This darkness caused flowers to wilt, dark green clouds to cover the sky, and a very, very cold chill to occur amongst us. The animals hid in fear and everything went silent. It was only for a minute and then everything went back to normal. Though, we have never seen anything like that. It was unnatural. If the darkness had been caused by nature, the flowers wouldn't have wilted and the chill wouldn't have happened either. There was something evil lurking these days, and we don't like it." One of the fairy nymphs said, so angrily that her voice rang loud and clear enough for me to hear. 

"I'll let the Alpha know right away! I promise, we will sort this out for you." I vowed to them. I really did not like seeing them this uneasy. It put my soul off its axis and my anxiety came back. I had to tell Crace immediately.

"Speaking of your Alpha, he is already in his wolf form. May we ask that you keep your...wolf activities to a minimum in the forest?" The leader of the nymphs said. I laughed a little at that.

"Of course. It's my first time transforming so we are doing it somewhere where I will feel calm and at peace." I explained to them. They all nodded before flitting away. 

"Oh god...oh god...this is not good at all" I murmured. I rubbed my hands on my jeans, nervously. They had gone clammy from anxiety.

I had to find Crace now and let him know. I had to find him. I centred myself and allowed myself to focus on the scents. I sifted through all the forest scents, and eventually, located the scent of freshly cooked and buttered pastries amongst them. I followed that scent and knew that I would find him. 

Gabriella's POV

I was seething. Crace hadn't come by at all today to discuss the ceremony. I felt...no, I knew he wasn't taking me seriously. If I was a cartoon, I am sure that I would have steam coming out of my ears. I marched up to Archer who was in the main study where he was writing furiously. He sensed my presence and looked up from what he was doing, briefly. 

"Ah, Gabriella, what can I have the displeasure of helping of you with today?" He said, going back to his work. 

"Have you seen Crace?" I said, tapping my foot on the ground impatiently.

"Why?" He said, sighing.

"Because, we are supposed to be planning the Luna and commitment ceremony that is to happen in a month. How can I plan something without my partner there?" I said, raising a brow. Archer threw his pen down and rubbed his face.

"How do you even know you're going to be Luna, Gabriella?" He asked me. I rolled my eyes.

"Uhm, because we have been together for a while now. He has shown no interest in other girls. It's a sure-fire thing, Archer. Everyone can tell that we are going to be Alpha and Luna." I explained to him. God, was he always this slow?

"Has he marked you, Gabriella?" He asked me, raising a brow this time. He studied me, scrutinised me was more like it. I squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. "That's what I thought. No mark...no Luna" He said, succinctly. He smirked at me. I sighed, a little more than slightly annoyed.

"Look, do you know where he is or not?" I asked, flipping my hair behind me. One of the maids entered the study with a tray. 

"Your tea, Mr Archer" She said, placing down the tray and setting the teacup down and the pot.

"Thank you, Valerie." He said, pouring a cup for himself. He stirred it and looked at me. "Look, Gabriella, last I saw, Crace was headed out. He didn't say where but I noticed him going south, if that helps." He finally told me. He took a sip of his tea and placed it down. The maid looked up in shock.

"Oh Miss Gabriella, I did not see you here. Should I prepare something for you?" The maid asked me, keeping her head down while talking.

"No, that won't be necessary today." I said, turning to leave. "Please don't call me by my name either. I am Miss Villegas to you and nothing else." I chastised the maid. She continued to look at the floor.

"Of course, Miss Villegas. I apologise for my forgetfulness and bad manners." She apologised. I made a noise of indignation. The maid scurried away. 

"Do you really have to be so rude?" Archer asked me. I laughed a little.

"Someone had to put her in her place. She needed to be reminded of who was in charge here." I said, simply and left to find Crace. Wherever the hell he was.

Serena's POV

I found Crace almost immediately. I completely forgot he was in his wolf form and it was...confronting at first. I hadn't seen his wolf this close and personal before. He was a creature of power and strength. 

It's okay. Crace mind linked me. He's name is Seiko and he really is a giant teddy.

Crace, I have something important to tell you I said back to him.

Just take your time. Be with Seiko first as yourself and when you are ready, let your wolf out He told me. I took a breath and nodded. I walked up to Seiko and he seemed to grin at me. His tongue lolled out a little, goofily. I giggled. I held a hand out, hesitantly. Seiko walked forward and placed his head in it. I stroked his fur and he wagged his tail happily. Seiko was truly a puppy at heart. His fur was gorgeously white and soft, like an Alaskan wolf. He had the most insane blue eyes ever, that contrasted greatly against the fur. Honestly, he was beautiful. 

"Hey Seiko." I said, scratching his chin. He licked my face, joyfully. I giggled again. "It's nice to meet you too." I said, scratching behind his ears this time. Seiko sat down in front of me and tilted his head up.

He really likes you Crace mused.

Of course he does I said, laughing, I'm his mate! 

Seiko made a noise that sounded like he agreed with me. See, even Seiko agrees with me. I teased Crace.

"You want to meet my wolf, don't you?" I asked Seiko. His ears perked up, eagerly. "Okay, I suppose I could bring her forward to meet you. She's just as eager to meet you too." Seiko started to dance, going around in circles. "Okay, okay!" I laughed. I took a deep breath.

It's going to be painful, but just trust your instincts and let her take over Crace explained to me. I nodded. 

I moved behind a tree and undressed. I would need my clothes later when I transformed back, so I couldn't have them shredded. Once I was completely naked, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind and moved my soul to the furthest point of my body, allowing room for Anikas soul to move forward and be the one in control. 

It will be okay Anika said in my mind, assuring me. The look in her eyes, though, were apologetic. She knew I was going to be in a buttload of pain from the transformation. It was like s*x, the first time is always the most painful, but every other time afterwards, the pain lessens until it is no longer there. 

I trust you I told her and she stepped forward in my mind. She became so close to me it was like we were pressed against each other. I finally turned off my own mind and let her take presence. Once I had, the shift began. 

My skin began to heat up and tingle as my hairs grew longer. It was excruciatingly uncomfortable but bearable. My gums ached as my teeth and canines grew longer and sharper. My nail beds stung as my nails grew as well, turning into long sharp claws. Then the worst part of the shifting began. Every bone in my body cracked and morphed. I wanted to cry from the pain but I was no longer present in my mind. I threw myself onto the damp forest ground on all fours and my back cracked inwards, then outwards. Everything was happening at once, the skin, the nails, the teeth and my bones were all morphing and changing at the same time. It was the worst pain imaginable. It went on for minutes but it seemed like hours, then finally the shifting was complete. I had become Anika.