ACCEPT REJECT

CHAPTER ONE

¿ACCEPT? ¿REJECT?

CHAPTER ONE

WILLOW POV

“Eighteen today babe, so you should be able to identify your mate around midnight tonight” my best friend Ally squeaked out excitedly. I couldn’t help but be swept up in her excitement. She turned eighteen two weeks ago, and is in the same boat as me. Lucky me the full moon falling on my birthday this year.

Ally was embarrassed so many times in the last two weeks, sensing all these new scents from the guys we know, so of course she started to think with her new senses she was mated to every male that smiled at her.

I just hope my mate is nice, I’m not worried as to what status they have, I will be happy with whoever the moon goddess has chosen for me. I have to admit I have a very queasy feeling in my tummy, not a feeling of sickness, more like anticipation.

Our day was pretty easy no school, no clubs, no commitments anywhere until dinner with the family, so we did a little shopping this arvo, I got a new outfit of jeans and a cute little tee, for dinner and then some sweats and a tank top for later when I shift. It will be both mine and Ally's first shift.

I’m surprised I have managed to not think too much about the impending pain of my shift, everyone says its painful the first few times but it gets easier and less painful the more you transition. I have remained most focussed on the excitement of finding my mate.

Its coming up to eleven PM so Ally and I make our way to the forest clearing, luckily there are six packs that attend the monthly mate runs, that gives all new shifters the chance of finding their mate without having to take trips to other packs with added risks.

Leaving our clothes in an area for us to come back to after we shift and run. Excitement is peaking in our veins. Ally and I can hardly stand still.

Midnight approaching fast the sound of others shifting, bones cracking, groans, even cries of pain, again Ally and I try to soothe each other then before I know it my body starts to feel heat and prickling on my skin, but not the nice prickling it's sharp and it stings all over.

Remembering what mamma and aunty Lou told us, - just remember to breathe girls, try to relax, it's a natural progression, breathe -, so reminding myself to breathe, I made the conscious effort to remember.

Breathe IN,

Breathe OUT,

REPEAT

My breathing I think is under control when there is another wave of the prickling, then the heat, my body beginning to contort. The pain is intense, trying to keep my body somewhat relaxed, trying to work through the pain my breath hastening as fur and sweat coat my skin in equal parts.

My hearing improving so much, now making me keenly aware that Ally is now going through the exact same situation I can hear her whimpers and screams, not that any of it is loud.

With an entire new wave of pain this time much stronger, much more intense, feeling almost consumed by the pain of my body breaking, healing , realigning and morphing into wolves.

First transitions are not usually fast, but honestly I can say it feels like hours, the pain level ebbing and flowing as we enter as final intense wave of pain, with a loud scream, that I suddenly identify as my wolf's howl.

Standing, shaking my fur out and familiarising myself with my new form.

= Hello there Willow, I am your wolf Charisma. It's nice to finally meet you! =

Charisma said, I stumbled at the surprise of hearing my wolf for the first time.

= Hi, I'm so excited to meet you too! Does transitioning always hurt this much? = I asked, still feeling the pain in my body.

= It does get easier it's like anything new it takes some getting used to. First shifts are intense and obviously it's the first time all those muscles and bones are shaping into this awesomeness, hoooowwwwlllll = Charisma explained then expressing herself with a howl to boot!

I couldn't help but laugh, her excitement infectious. Soon we were bouncing around Ally as she finished her shift.

Charisma's fur is deep golden in colour, her eyes are deep dark brown, like dark chocolate, her size is large but not as big as ranked wolves, but bigger than most she-wolves.

Once Ally's shift was complete her wolf was a really light golden colour, her eyes looked almost white, with surprise and the contrast of differences we moved closer and Charisma nuzzled Ally's wolf and we familiarised ourselves with each other, Ally's wolf's name is Brynlee and she is just as cool as Charisma.

With us both letting out a combined howl, we took off toward the woods, as we began running, allowing Charisma to use her skills we dodged, weaved, ducked and jumped the obstacles, running and enjoying the freedom of our wolf forms.

Ally/Brynlee and us have been running free for ab out three hours now, but we still felt adrenalin coursing through us. We decided to take a break at the falls, which was only a short jog ahead of us, we had already mapped out most of the woods, so finding the falls from almost any direction made for a safe haven and an easy spot to return to if we find ourselves disoriented.

Taking a little time to scope out and ensure our surroundings were safe, always keeping alert. Lying down on the grass near the edge of the water we just took some time to roll around, enjoying ourselves we were almost dozing off when some wolves in the distance howled out.

At that very moment we both shot to our feet, ears flicking around listening, then Ally/Brynlee howled back. Her squeal back to me took me by surprise, them I heard her/them say,

= Our mate is close by! =

She took off running and I began jogging behind excited for her although still a little shell shocked. I was following her, her familiar scent lingering for me to follow.

Trotting along the path just following along, whistling in our head, then humming tunes very content and comfortable in my wolf form.

Suddenly twigs crunching off to the side of me taking my attention. Twitching our ear to the noise, sniffing the area only to realise that the wind direction put the noise and what ever is responsible for it downwind from me.

With no chance of picking up anything, I begin to run, Oh! Crap!