The Alpha and the Teacher

3. The Shift

Cassie’s POV

Two years later

I can’t believe I’m going to be 18 in 24 hours. I’m finally going to meet my wolf! Thankfully my birthday is in August right before school starts so I won’t be in school during my shift. I still have no idea how I’m going to sneak away in the middle of the night with out Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, who I now refer to as mom and dad, noticing. Luckily the twins are good sleepers so they won’t even notice I’m gone. I can’t believe they’re going be two in a few weeks. It’s very fortunate that my mom decided to stop working to stay at home with the twins.

My parents treat the twins as their own children. The dynamic of the family is very different from what I expected. I honestly thought they were going to treat me as a teen mom, but luckily they treated me as a kid still. My mom took over all night feedings for the twins once she realized I was struggling with school work and caring for the twins. I was able to find a job at a restaurant near by to help with the twins’ finances, but the Taylors never made me feel obligated to bring in money. These last two years have been spent working and going to school. Never did join any clubs or sports. I also never found a boyfriend so having my mate be my sweetheart was out of the question. There’s also the fact that’s there’s no packs that I know of around me. I know there could be packs in California, but to keep my family safe I never looked for any.

I text my best friend Kendall to make sure she’s in for tomorrow.

Me: Hey girl! Are we still on for tomorrow?

Kendall: Yepp! I already told my parents I’m staying at your place. What about you?

Me: I told my parents you’re staying over. Thanks again for covering for me.

Kendall: No probs. I still don’t understand why you have to go into the woods alone for an hour? I’m not sure it’s a good idea.

Me: I told you I was meeting up with someone real quick. It’s nothing really.

I was hoping since Kendall was so boy crazy she would be ok with me meeting someone in the middle of the night. I still didn’t have any good reason to just leave, but I needed someone to cover me in case my parents figured out I’m gone.

Kendall: But you’re meeting someone random in the middle of the woods.

Me: It’s not someone random. You know them from school.

Shoot! Now I have to drag someone else into my lie!

Kendall: oh really?!?! Who?!?!

Me: Can’t I be just a little mysterious. Just this once? I promise I’m not meeting someone random in the woods. I just need a few minutes to talk to someone from school.

Kendall: oh! Talk ;) ok sure thing girl!

Me: Thanks Kendall!! You’re the best!

Great now my best friend is thinking I’m sneaking off to have s*x in the middle of the night. If only she knew I was still a virgin. Everyone in school talks about how I’m a young teen mom. Nobody says anything to my face, well not anymore, but I still hear the whispers behind my back. I know they talk about how I’m too young to have 2 year old twins, and nobody knows who the babies’ father is. None of the guys at school even approach me about date, but between work, school, and the twins I don’t even have enough time think about dating anyone.

I put my phone down on my bed and head over to the twins’ room to wake them from a nap. “Hey, Beckett. Hey Brynlee.” I whisper to them while opening the door. “It’s time to wake up from your nap. Let’s get ready for a walk.” I pick up Brynlee first to change her for a walk. Beckett is still trying to wake himself up. I swear these two look and act so much like their parents. Trevor was never a morning person and always woke up later than me. Fortunately both kids look enough like brother and me it’s not hard for me to pass as their mom.

I wake up excited the next morning. Today is the day I meet my wolf and shift. I get out bed and head over to the twins’ room before heading to the shower. While taking a shower I suddenly hear someone.

Hello Cassie. I’m Melanie.

Oh! Hi Melanie. You must be my wolf.

Yes, Cassie, and I’m so sorry for everything we’ve been through. I’m sifting through your memories now and I can’t believe our entire pack is gone. I also can’t believe we have children already.

Yeah, sorry Melanie, our niece and nephew have now become our children. It’s the only way to keep them safe. We’re their only family left.

It’s no matter dear. I’m happy to have them in our life. They bring us such joy, and they will always remind us of what we had before. She responds.

I rinse off all my soap and turned off the water. I wrap a towel in hair and grab my robe.

Are you ready for tonight? Melanie mind links me.

I’m not sure. I’m very excited, but also extremely nervous. I know the first time can be extremely painful, and I have to be alone for mine. Everyone I knew had someone there for their first turn.

Nobody knows we’re turning tonight? Melanie asks.

Nobody even knows I’m a werewolf. Ever since that day I’ve basically been a human. Everybody I’ve met since that tragic day has been human. Luckily I knew I was a werewolf before I was brought up into the human world. I was ready for you to mind link me. I respond.

Oh Cassie! I’m so sorry. I will be there with you the whole time. At least you birthday is on a full moon so you don’t have to wait king for your first shift.

Thanks Melanie. I close off the link and get ready to head to work, but first I sneak a peak at the twins.

As I walk into the restaurant I see Sara my coworker getting ready for the morning.

“Cassie, why are you working today? I thought you had the day off because it’s your birthday.” Sara asks

I reply, “Oh, my birthday isn’t a big deal, and Kelly called in sick so Ryan asked if I would be able to come in.”

Sara gives me a stern look before stating, “Your 18th birthday is a very big deal. You shouldn’t have to work today!”

“It’s fine Sara. Really it is. I’m just going to work until this afternoon then I will head home to celebrate with my family.”

“You better make sure those sweet babies of your gets some cake today.” Says Sara.

“Oh I’m sure they will get plenty of cake today.” I inwardly roll my eyes. I bet my parents would be feeding those two cake all day if they could. I head to the back and get started on the day.

As soon as I walk in the door I hear, “Momma, Momma, cake, cake!” Little Brynlee wraps her arms around my leg while yelling for cake, and Beckett isn’t too far behind her grabbing my other leg.

“Oh you two,” my mom says as she tries to pry the twins off my legs. “They found the cake in the fridge for your birthday and will not let up!”

“Well,” I say to my mom, “then let’s go eat cake!” The twins run off towards the kitchen ready to eat cake for lunch.

“Oh was your day dear?” Mom asks.

“Oh it was fine.”

“Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”

“No I was hoping to come home and take a nap with the twins, but I see that’s not happening.”

My mom laughs, “No, not after seeing cake. Well how about you and I go out for a little girls day to the spa?”

“Really mom? That would be fantastic!”

Mom and I head to the spa after feeding the twins cake and of course some veggies and turkey for lunch. The spa is in the city. We park in the parking garage and walk over together. It’s a nice warm 80 degree day so it’s a very pleasant walk. The spa has so many wonderful experiences, but today I’m just going to get a message. I want to be as relaxed as possible for tonight.

After our blissful spa afternoon mom and I made our way over to one of the restaurants by the parking garage.

“Are you sure we should leave dad with the kids much longer?” I ask mom.

“Oh he’s fine Cassie. Him and Uncle James are having a blast watching them. I know you don’t think you deserve and nice 18th birthday because you already have children, but you really do deserve to treat yourself sometimes. You’re a wonderful mom to those babies. You deserve some time to yourself for your birthday.”

“Okay mom, thank for today.” I say heading into the restaurant for dinner.

By the time we got back home Kendall was already there waiting for me.

“Hey Kendall! Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Oh it’s no big deal. I was just playing with these two little nuggets before you got here. Why don’t we all sit down for a movie before bed?” Kendall asks the twins.

“Yes! Yes! Movie! Movie!” The twins try to say. It’s come out more of a babble, but we all understand. We let Beckett pick out the movie this time since Brynlee pick it out last time. Thankfully he picked out a short children’s movie so we can put the twins to bed on time. Kendall helps me give them a bath. I’m so lucky to have a friend like Kendall. She’s never belittled me for having children. Her parents also never made me feel ostracized like some of the other families did around here because I was a teen parent who was adopted. Kendall’s family let me in their home and their hearts with opened arms. Anytime we hang out together she’s always attentive and helpful with the twins. We wrap them in towels and head over to their nursery to get them ready for bed.

“Good night little ones. Sweet dreams.” Kendall says as she gives them a kiss on the head.

“Good night sweet babies,” I say as I close the door behind us.

“Alright so what are we going to do for the rest of the night before you need to out to see this mystery man of yours?” Asks Kendall

“Shhh. I don’t want my parents to hear,” I whisper.

“Oh sorry!” She whispers back.

“Let’s just watch a movie before head back to my room.”

We turn the TV to watch an actually movie together while eating popcorn before we tell my parents we’re going to turn in for the night. I’ve never snuck out or have done anything remotely bad. I’ve been too busy with work, school, and the twins, but tonight I absolutely had to be alone for my first shift.

“Okay Kendall it’s time for me to head out. Remember if anyone evens suspects me being gone texts me and I will be right back,”

“Let me know all the dirty details when you get back. You’re being safe right?”

I roll my eyes, “Yes, I’m being safe.” Kendall thinks I need to bring a box of condoms with me because I’m about to leave in the middle of the night and meet a mystery man. I wish I could just tell her, but I have no idea how she will react.

I sneak out the window run quickly and quietly through our backyard. Luckily their’s some wooded areas behind the neighborhood I’m able to quickly run to. I’m not in the best shape anymore because I don’t get to train, but I try to run and hit the gym as often as possible.

I find a nice clear to shift. I take my sweatpants and t-shirt off waiting for the full moon for my first shift. I start to feel a tingling in my body so I take of my bra and underwear. I wait naked for my shift to beginning. My body start to get hot and before I know my bones to to break. I cry out in agony.

Oh Cassie! You’re going to be ok!

I know. I just hurts.

Next thing I know my body whips forward landing on my hands and knees. My hand start to break to make room for my paws. Wrists snap and my start to elongate making me stand on all fours. Finally I feel the best of my hair starting to rip through from skin. I try hard not hell and wake up the whole neighborhood.

It’s almost over Cassie. Just a few more minutes and I will take over.

All the sudden I can see everything clearer, hear everything better, and smelling everything around me. Then I notice Melanie take over our mind space.

Ok Cassie. It’s all over. After tonight it won’t hurt as much to shift. I’m going to go for a quick run before we head back.

I shift back into our mind and let Melanie have our entire head space. After that traumatic event I just need some rest.

Cassie I hear Melanie mind link me.

Cassie!

Yes, Melanie. I’m here.

Ok good. We’re back at the clearing so we can shift back to human form and out our clothes back on.

Shifting back to human form isn’t quiet as painful as shift from human to wolf. I quickly put my clothes back on and run back to the house

“Did anyone notice?” I ask Kendall while climbing back in.

“Nope! And how was you mystery man. Was it good?”

“It was definitely an unforgettable experience.” I say.

“So will you see him again?”

“No, I think this was just a one time thing.”

Kendall’s eye go wide. “Really? I’ve never pinned you for a one night stand?”

“Oh well. I’m not saying it won’t happen again, but just not in the middle of the night.” Oh great. My lie just keeps getting bigger.

“So I will I ever meet mystery man?” She asks.

“I’m honestly not so sure. This thing may not even last.”

“Oh ok. Well let’s just get ready for bed then.”

“Thanks for being such a great and understanding friend,” I say to Kendall while pulling her into a hug.

“Of course Cassie.”

We climb into bed and my eyes shut as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I shift a few more times after my first shift, but I usually try to shift early in the morning while everyone is still asleep and no one is around. I just tell my parents I’m going out for a morning run. I’m not completely lying to them.