Shifted

Miracle or Coincidence

I woke the next morning to find my mom sitting in a chair in my room creepily watching me sleep. “You are scaring me,” I croaked as I sat up in bed. “You were talking in your sleep and I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Mom said. I raised my arms and stretched towards the sky. It felt good to move and take deep breaths, filling my lungs. I looked and noticed mom was staring at me in complete shock. “What?” I asked. “Elsie, you’re moving like you have no pain. Yesterday you could hardly move and now you are stretching and it doesn’t even look like you have any bandages.” She rushed towards me trying to lift my top to see beneath the wrappings. “Mom, stop! You’re acting crazy.” I tried to swat her hands away but knew it was no use. I sat up and lifted the shirt so she could remove my bandages. The tape pulled as she carefully removed each one. My mom let out a gasp, “You are completely healed. There isn’t even a scar.” “There is no way!” I yelled at her. A few moments later, my door opens and I find dad bringing in two steaming cups of coffee.

I can tell by the look on his face that he was surprised to see me up. He, too, checked and was shocked that my body had healed itself. I drank my coffee, wondering if I should tell them about my dreams. I mean they did tell me mom was a wolf, so this can’t be that different. I cleared my throat, “Um guys, I think I need to tell you something.” Both of my parents turned and looked at me with dread. They both sat down on either side of my bed and looked at me waiting for me to speak. “So, since we’ve moved here I’ve been having some very vivid dreams. It’s almost as if I was there in the dream, but then I woke up and thought it was just a dream, only to find out that it was in fact probably real.” I looked at both of them and neither one said a word, so I kept going, “Last night I had a dream that a wolf, well he’s always in my dreams, but anyway, he came and licked my side and laid with me in the snow. When I woke up, I was covered in snow and shook it off and my side was healed. When I woke up this morning I was healed.” I took a sip of coffee to try and let what I had just said sink in for them.

Dad stood and looked out the window. Mom just looked at me. “Are either of you going to say anything?” I asked. “Elsie, I have no idea what you are talking about, but clearly somehow your dreams and reality are connected.” Mom said as she sipped her coffee. “I can’t believe I am saying this but I think that she needs to tell your dad and Eric.” Dad said as he ran his hand through his hair. He did that when he was nervous. Mom stood and walked over to him, trying to help ease his anxiety. “Okay, well, whatever you want to do. I am just tired of not sleeping and this time this wolf actually healed me. What if he could kill me too?” I asked. Mom’s face paled.

Later that day, my uncle showed up to our house. I was relaxing in our heated pool when he pushed through the gate. “Your mom said you were healed and told me what you said happened. Alpha requests that you come with me to his house to speak with him and the elders. Go get dressed and I’ll tell your mom.” He turned and headed into the house. I pulled myself out of the pool and grabbed my towel. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and I quickly turned around. I swore someone was watching me, but I didn’t see anyone. I went back to drying myself off while trying to pay attention to the woods around me. I hummed a song thinking that this would maybe throw whoever was watching me off. I slowly turned while drying my legs and quickly caught the legs of a dark wolf. I looked up and the wolf shot off into the deep woods. I wonder why that wolf was watching me.

We quickly gathered our things and headed to my grandfather’s house. My uncle led us through the house to a parlor in the back. Cigar smoke hung in the air along with the aroma of coffee. My grandfather, the alpha, and three other men sat around a table. My uncle bowed as he entered and I did the same. My grandfather motioned for me to come forward, so I did. “Your mother shared an interesting story with me about your dream you had last night. Have these dreams happened before?” I nodded yes. He turned and looked at one of the men sitting beside him. “Elsie, I am David and I’m an elder in our pack. My family has been blessed for many years and I’d like to see if you too have been blessed. May I have your hand?” Nervously, I looked back at my mom, who smiled at me encouragingly. He reached out his hand and I took it.

Warmness rushed through my body and I let out a gasp. Vision flashed through my head of me running through the woods, snow falling, white paws, and the wolf who healed me. It felt like energy was buzzing throughout my entire body and I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. Just as soon as it started, it stopped and he withdrew his hand from mine. He looked at me with eyebrows raised, “Young Elsie, you indeed have been blessed. With gifts, I’m unsure about , but gifts indeed. She has a wolf inside her even if she hasn’t shifted. This wolf and hers are one when she sleeps. I am able to see through her visions that she is very much living in those moments.” I started to shake, knowing that what he said was true. This is why I woke up with leaves in my hair or tired legs from running. But last night a wolf healed me. So the question remained, could I also be hurt?

I looked at my grandfather who was beaming with pride. “Grandfather, I mean Alpha, what if I get hurt when I am in my dreams? I don’t know how to be a wolf or fight.” I could feel the tears gather in my eyes even as I tried to forcefully hold them back. He placed his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Elsie, this pack will be your family. We will guide you and protect you. If your wolf is within you, then you will have her too. Maybe in your dreams you should try to connect with her. Try to understand the world that you visit.” I let out a sigh, “but I feel like I know nothing about this world. I almost got myself killed yesterday by jumping in front of a pack of wolves!” He looked past me and to my uncle, “she will start training immediately. Tell Beta Jackson that Ashlynn is to tutor her on our way after school during the week and she will train on the weekends.” Uncle Eric nodded.

This seemed to be our dismissal because my mother took my hand and we got back into our SUV. The drive home was quiet, none of us sure what to say about what had just been decided. I would start training and learning about our ways. At least I had Ashlynn to help me. We pulled into the driveway and I got out of the car. A howl sounded off in the distance and my mom looked in the direction it was coming from. Dad looked at mom, “go on. You know you want to.” She smiled and ran towards the woods. I looked at dad quizzically and asked, “what’s that about?” “Pack run. Let’s order pizza.” He pulled me into him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and led me into the house.

Monday

I had no dreams over the weekend and was excited about heading back to school. The drive to school was uneventful. As we pulled into the parking lot, mom looked at me and encouraged me to have a great day. I opened my door and headed inside the building and towards my locker. Everyone was looking at me. Turning and whispering to one another and some even turning away from me. I slipped into the bathroom to make sure I didn’t have something on my face or issues with my skirt. Everything looked fine, so what was everyone gawking at?

I found my locker and opened it on the first try. I placed my coat and boots inside and slipped on my flats. I wore a dark black mini skirt, tights because it was cold, ballet flats, and a long-sleeved cream-color fitted sweater. My long brown hair was curled and I had simple make-up on. I thought I looked nice and decided that I didn’t care what anyone else thought. I sent Ashlynn a text to let her know I was here and headed towards my first class. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed Emily and her two friends standing at her locker. I thought about looking away and then remembered what Ashlynn had said. Instead of looking away, I made sure to make eye contact with them. They turned away from me and didn’t say a word.

I reached my first class of the day and opened the door. As soon as I walked in, everyone stopped talking. Okay, this is really starting to creep me out. Did they all mind speak and decide they were going to pretend that I was invisible or something? My phone pinged and I saw I had a text from Ashlynn, “Hey! I’ll catch you after first class.” Well, at least she was still talking to me. I settled into a desk and class began. I was busy working on an assignment when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to find Caleb the blonde boy from lunch, staring at me. “Um, hi.” I said. “Hey Elsie, just wanted to tell you that I’m glad you came back. I heard about what happened and I’m happy to see you here. Thought we might have scared you away.” He flashed me his smile that must have made other girls swoon over him. “Thanks. I’m excited to be here. I just don’t understand why no one wants to talk to me.” Caleb looked around the room before speaking, “Let’s talk after class.” He turned in his seat and began talking to Seth and Max.

The bell rang and Ashlynn met me in the hall. Caleb joined us and she looked at him in confusion. “ I think we need to tell her. Let her decide.” Ashlynn drew her eyebrows together and frowned at Caleb. “What? She needs to know.” He shrugged. I stopped walking and faced Ashlynn, “What’s going on? What do I need to know?” “Nothing, it’s just stupid high school drama. Nothing you need to worry about. Just don’t let people push you around and you will be fine.” Ashlynn tried to start walking, but before she could get away, Caleb caught her arm. She let out a low growl and Caleb let go and put his hands up in defense. “Don’t bite. I was just trying to help her and you know it.” He smiled. Ashlynn relented and said follow me.

We walked to a part of the school I hadn’t seen yet. It was like an outdoor sitting space but somehow it was heated and we were protected from the elements. “This is the quad. This is where we can hang out, study, eat lunch, whatever,” she said. “Yea, and it's where you learn where you stand in the hierarchy of high school,” Caleb added. I looked at him and he smiled. Ashlynn turned and continued as she faced the quad she pointed, “Over there is where the vamps hang out, next to them are the witches, over there on the hill are the fairy’s, and in the middle, are the loners. That’s for those who are human or haven’t shifted yet.” I looked to my right where there was a group of people sitting around a group of three boys who seemed to be holding court. I couldn’t contain my shock when I recognized them. “Who are they?” I asked. Caleb responded, “they just happen to be who you need to talk to. Until yesterday, they were the highest-ranking members of the pack.” “What happened yesterday?” I asked. Both of them looked at me like I had grown three heads. “Elsie, you happened. You are now the highest-ranking wolf in this academy. You outrank everyone just by birthright alone and now after you jumped into an initiation ring, well s**t Elsie, you basically earned your place.” Ashlynn said. “But I haven’t shifted! We don’t even know if I will be a wolf or not,” I explained. Caleb laughed, “oh sweetheart, you may not have shifted yet, but the Alpha has decreed that you have earned your place. His word is law.” I became overwhelmed with the thought that I was now part of the pack. I still couldn’t feel the link and yet I was the highest ranking wolf in this school.

“Wait, you said that I needed to talk to them? Why?” “Because they are the ones who have decreed that no one is to talk to you and up until yesterday their word was law around here.” “Oh, well that’s just great. Can’t I just have one normal day at school?” I sighed. I guess I should just get this over with. I walked towards the tables where the three boys were surrounded. As I approached, everyone stopped talking. I squeezed through the people until I was standing right before the three of them. They looked me up and down in an assessing way that made my skin crawl. Who did they think they were?

“Hi, I’m Elsie Whitmore and you are?” I asked, holding my hand out for them to shake. They dismissed my hand but answered, “I’m Aspen, this is Carson, and he’s Barrett.” They were tall and filled out with muscles. Carson had dark black hair and brown eyes with freckles across his nose. Barrett was blonde and had tan skin. He looked like someone from a magazine ad. Aspen was clearly the leader as he stood in front of the other two. He crossed his arms and it made his muscles seem even more prominent than they were. He looked at me with those intense blue eyes and I wasn’t sure why he seemed so angry. “It’s nice to meet you. Don’t you follow me? I think I remember seeing a picture of the three of you sitting around a fire.” Aspen shot a look at Barrett before answering me. “Yea, we didn’t mean that. We were trying to see what all the talk about Elsie Whitmore was about.” “Oh, well I’m just a normal girl trying to figure all this out.” I must have said something wrong because at that moment I felt Ashlynn at my back and anger rolling off Aspen. “You’re exactly right. You are just a normal girl who is here pretending to be wolf royalty. You don’t deserve the position you’ve been given. You are nothing and should be treated as such.” He spit at my feet and it felt as if the ground was swaying beneath me. He and the two others turned and started to walk away.

Before I knew what was happening, I yelled, “Hey Asshole!” I marched towards them, fury rising in my blood. “You think I asked for this? You think that I liked growing up not knowing anything about my family or where I came from? You think it’s been easy for me to come here and try to learn about all of this while all of you try to make it a living hell? Well, guess what? I’m not leaving. I may not know a lot, but I know that decent people, decent humans, or decent everyone doesn’t spit at people or make others treat them badly just so you can feel good about yourself. If anyone here isn’t “worthy” it seems to be you!” I turned and walked away quickly as I kept panting as I went. I grabbed Ashlynn’s hand and we went back inside, never looking back.

“Holy crap, that was amazing! I didn’t know you had it in you.” Ashlynn said as we headed towards our next class. “I didn’t know I had it in me either. I just got so mad because they wanted to try and make me feel bad about all this when I didn’t even ask for it.” We climbed the stairs and I noticed a few people waving in my direction. I waved back and kept walking. “I hope you shift soon because you being able to mind speak would make this all so much easier.” “I know, right? I’d love to know why now some people are waving.” “Oh, that’s simple. You put Aspen in his place and now they aren’t required to listen to him.” “Just like that?” “Just like that. You out rank them, silly.” I don’t think I’m ever going to get the hang of this. We waved bye and I headed into my English class with Mr. Strider. He handed me a book and a packet and I took my seat in the back of the classroom.

Emily walked in with her two friends and I stared at them. Emily walked up to me and asked if she could sit next to me. I motioned for her to sit and her and her friends sat down beside me. Class started and she kept looking at me like she wanted to say something but didn’t. I finally couldn’t stand it any longer and snapped, “is there something you want to say to me?” Emily had a look of relief flood her face, “yes, I just can’t speak to you without you addressing me first.” I scrunched my face up at her. “Why? You had no problem talking to me yesterday.” “That was before you were accepted and stood up to Aspen,” Emily said. I wasn’t sure where this was going, so I turned my attention back to the class. Emily slipped a piece of paper on my desk and I unfolded it. It had the details of a get-together on it for Friday night. “Why would you give me this?” I asked. “I just thought that it might be nice for you to meet everyone our age in the pack. That way you could make friends.” I eyed the flyer she handed me skeptically. “Just think about it. I’m sorry for the way I acted the other day, but you have to understand that I am one of the higher ranking females here. Don’t take it personal.” The bell rang and she and her friends stood up and left the classroom. My head was starting to hurt from all this drama. I texted Ashlynn that I was going to grab some coffee before I headed to my new math class. Mrs. Pippin had my new schedule ready for me first thing this morning and I now was taking a junior level math class.

I headed to the cafeteria to the coffee station and ordered a latte. This was one of the perks I would happily take part in. In the house, lattes were a thing of beauty. I waited for my drink and sent mom a text letting her know that my day was going okay. She texted me back and said that she couldn’t wait to hear about how it went. I got a text from a random number and opened it, “Hey! It’s Caleb. Hope its okay that Ashlynn gave me your number.” I smiled and replied, “yea, no problem. Just grabbing coffee before heading to my new math class.” “Sweet, wanna meet in the quad for lunch today?” Caleb asked and I grimaced. The thought of being in the quad with Aspen did not sound like how I wanted to spend my lunch. If I was lucky, I wouldn’t see them again. I shot a quick text back as I grabbed my drink, “let’s meet inside the cafeteria where we sat yesterday. I’ll see you after class.” I shoved my phone in my back pocket and headed towards class.

I took out my schedule to make sure that I had the room number right. I opened the door and stepped inside. The teacher wasn’t there but a few people smiled and waved. I said hello back and took a seat in the front. I wanted to make sure I could see the board and get whatever notes I needed. I was excited about this class and nothing was going to ruin it. I got my materials out and sat drinking my latte. The bell rang and the teacher walked in, shutting the door behind him. He looked at me and smiled, “Hello, I heard you were going to be joining us. I’m excited to have you in our class. I’m Dr. Elliott.” Just then the door opened and in walked Aspen, Barrett, and Carson. My heart sank. Their eyes locked on me and I swear I heard a low growl come from one of them. This was not supposed to happen. I was supposed to be able to enjoy this class and now I have these three I’m going to have to face every day. Dr. Elliott addressed them, “gentlemen, you’re late. Please take your seats.” The three boys walked down the rows beside me and proceeded to sit around me. Carson to my left, Aspen behind me, and Barrett to my right. Just great, I’m surrounded.