SHIFTING
1216 Words
Chapter 11
Bianca's pov
I couldn’t wrap my head properly around what Ric told me.
Everything felt surreal—the Beta I believed to be a good person, even if not toward me, but the King?
And the King?!
Should I believe the Beta?!
Is the King using his power to silence his people?!
But if so, wouldn’t the park be singing about it… or did he stop them from gossiping about him?
“Don’t let what he said get to you, he could be lying,”
Shirley said. She was feeling just as down.
“I’m just confused. Could our mate be capable of such evil, and yet, nobody is doing anything about it?”
“Hmmm,” she sighed, and I did the same.
“I want to shift,” I heard her voice, and it caught me totally off guard.
“Pleaseeee,” she meowed like a cat.
Goodness, this wolf.
“I don’t know…”
“Are you ashamed of me?”
I gasped. I didn’t see that coming.
“N… no… No.”
“Then prove me wrong.”
“I promise to behave and… and I’ll run better,” she added, and in that instant, I kind of pitied her.
It’s truly been a long time since I shifted, but that’s not my fault.
I was made to feel insecure about my wolf, made to believe she doesn’t deserve to be seen.
And the pain of shifting… it was next to hell.
“We can do it, Bianca.”
“Are we sure?” I whispered. I’m supposed to be the one giving this encouragement, but… but… I can’t even feel my bravery anymore.
It seems as though it flew away just at the thought of shifting.
“What will the Beta think of my wolf, Jerry, and the rest… even… even my mate, the King?”
“Let’s… let’s shift then,” I said, and I felt her mood lifting.
“Let’s shift, Bianca, and show them what we are!” she screamed, and then the cracking came.
My limbs felt like they were breaking. I found myself fading and being replaced by something furry.
Something whitish and—wait…
“We’re beautiful, Shirley,” I said from inside.
And she growled in a feminine voice, but it didn’t quite reach the outer world.
I figured something out—the shifting wasn’t as painful as the first time.
And why’s that?!
Like a flash, she ran out of the dark room and straight to the field where the others were.
She ran so fast, and I wondered where she got the energy from.
Getting to the field, everybody’s attention was drawn to us, and I felt her smile.
The Beta’s mouth was hung open, and it looked like he was struck by a thunderstorm.
Oh, how I loved that look on his face.
Jerry wasn’t left out, but the best part was the smile on his face… he was definitely happy for me.
“I want to shift, Shirley.”
“Urgghhh,” she groaned, and I felt her annoyance.
“You’re the one doing the running, trust me. I just want to communicate.”
Just like that, we shifted, and I returned to my human form.
Their eyes were still on me, but… what was that look on the Beta’s face?
“I did it,” I said, shadowing my own smile with his expression.
“I don’t like him. He doesn’t feel like a wolf to me,” Shirley said.
“Okay?.. He’s a wolf. He’s a Beta. Born Beta.”
“I know, but something feels off about him. I can’t quite point it out.”
“You finally buried your insecurity, huh?” the Beta’s voice came, and Shirley growled clearly:
“I don’t like you.”
“Well, I wasn’t a coward after all,” I replied, erasing my smile.
“We do have a run, huh?” I said and started walking forward. Everyone looked at me.
Yes! I talked down to the Beta. What is he, after all?
Just a Beta… I’m the Luna, Her Highness, and he ought to bow to me!
“We’ll go on the run, and nobody is meant to outrun me.”
They all exchanged curious glances. Was I out of line? Well, maybe I just want them trailing behind me.
“I mean, I’ll be going on the run with just the Beta and Jerry, but they’re meant to look after me… right, Beta?” I turned to him and watched him frown.
Well, who cares—just answer the damn question.
He nodded, and they all gasped. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Jerry giving me a thumbs-up.
It brought a smile to my face.
“So, we’ll be going to the woods now…”
“Not in my wolf form,” the Beta interrupted.
“And why’s that?” Another gasp rippled through the crowd.
Was I challenging the Beta?
I watched him struggle to keep his cool. Was he going to choke me?! The King’s mate, his Luna?
“Fine, maybe only I will run in my shifted form… please lead the way, Beta.”
Looking at me with a blazing look, he started leading the way to the mountain. Jerry and I followed suit.
The mountain had a lightning-lit path winding through it, the air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle hum of nocturnal creatures.
We moved further into the woods, which curved with mystic noise and dark features, radiating the energy of the wolves.
I looked back at the big castle on the hill. Its palace design blended into the landscape, giving an enchanting and peaceful vibe.
“Shift,” I heard the Beta’s voice, and I looked back at him.
His eyes glared, with no remorse. I was meant to tremble, but I held his gaze.
I nodded and was about to shift…
“Wait, will you watch me shift?”
He glared at me.
“Should I disappear?” he fired the question back at me, and I shrugged.
“Yes… I guess.” He looked away, nodding as if calculating something. Jerry had already moved back, but this strong-headed Beta…
Does he really think I’ll believe his words? It just makes me see him as the villain. But it’s going to take time to know what he’s up to.
“Will you shift now?” I heard his voice again. He had already taken a few steps away, his back to me.
Without warning, Shirley shifted and growled… they both walked to me.
“I must say, you have the most beautiful and unique wolf alive,” Jerry commented, and I smiled.
“The time is ticking. Your run starts now!”
I looked at his watch; time ticking. No heads-up was given. My wolf zoomed off.
She ran very fast, avoiding trees and sticks, using unimaginable tactics to shift heavy stones and leap over fallen logs—all while maintaining her energy. Where had she gotten such power?
She slowed down, and I wondered why… but there, a rogue—
A rogue wolf, tearing into a wolf of my kind.
And I trembled…my heart flew!
Was I dying like this?!!
- Writer
