Shifted

The Woods

I lay in bed awake thinking of everything that was going on tonight. I was so close to touching him and then the trio had to come and chase him away. Thankfully, Caleb convinced them not to hurt the mystery wolf. I tossed and turned, wishing sleep would take me away. I thought about how I felt when he was near. My heart raced and I knew deep down that he wouldn’t hurt me. Then I remembered the tension I felt when the trio had me in their gaze in the small room where they questioned me. All of them looking intimidating but hot as hell at the same time. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t sleep, it was hot, and now I am thinking about assholes who just happened to be hot. I climbed out of bed and went to my window. I propped it open to let some cool fresh air into my room. The crisp cold air felt amazing against my skin. I let it wash over me, causing goose bumps to prickle against my skin. I shut my eyes and pressed my forehead against my window. That’s when I heard the howl. I looked out my window and couldn’t see anything. The sound was beautiful and calling me to it. I searched the woods trying to find the wolf but I couldn’t see anything. The howl sounded again, this time closer. Something inside me was urging me to go. The more I fought the urge to go, the more intense it became. The howl sounded again and I was moving before I knew it.

I quietly tipped toed down the stairs and turned the corner to head towards the back door. I slid the back door open and slipped outside. The moon was bright so I didn’t need a flashlight. I climbed down the stairs that led towards the woods. I looked back at my house, wondering if I should get my mom. The howl sounded and I headed straight into the woods, not wanting to wait any longer. The moon's beams glistened on the freshly fallen snow, marking my path as I went. I stopped to listen and heard the howl again, but this time to my right. I turned and started to head towards the wailing wolf. The woods were quiet with the exception of the snow crunching beneath me and the labored breathing from me running. The howl sounded again and I was close. “Hello? Are you here?” I asked while looking around the woods, trying to see if I could find the wolf. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and I knew I was no longer alone in these woods. I took a step back and I heard a low growl come from behind me.

Slowly I turned to see a large black and brindle wolf stalking closer to me. This wolf wasn’t mine and I knew I had made a mistake. I slowly lifted my hands to show that I wasn’t a danger and prayed that this wolf would be able to understand me, “I won’t hurt you. I was looking for someone, well, a wolf, and I’ll just go back home now.” I stepped back trying to get away from this wolf as quickly as possible, but as I started to retreat, the wolf growled even louder and started towards me. Why can’t I mind link someone when I need to? I backed up quicker trying to retrace my steps through the woods but the wolf just kept getting closer and closer. My back hit a tree and I was stuck. I let out a small whimper and prayed that someone would find me.

The large wolf started to circle me, snapping at me as it grew closer. “Please,” I begged, “I was just looking for someone. I won’t hurt you. My family are wolves and I will maybe become one too.” The wolf snarled and snapped its teeth at me. Okay, so maybe it didn’t like my family and now I am in even bigger trouble. I needed to think of a way to get out of this situation. Caleb said that I had some alpha tone to my voice that made him almost want to submit to me. Maybe if I yelled?

I took a deep breath and stared straight into the eyes of the wolf. It stopped and stared right back at me, like it was waiting for me to do something. “STOP! Lay Down!” I yelled, trying to push whatever alpha magic I may have into it. The wolf just stared at me, c*****g its head to the side. I continued to stare at the wolf, not wanting to break eye contact. “Go Away!” I yelled again, hoping that something would work. I just needed to get home. This time the wolf laid down and I swear it laughed at me. I placed my hands on my hips and took a step towards the wolf. “You think this is funny!” The wolf stood up and snarled at me, then barked. I noticed the wolf was looking behind me and I turned to look.

Walking up to stand right beside me was my wolf. He came. I stood tall, knowing that he wouldn’t hurt me. He came and stood right next me, towering above me. He was massive and beautiful. The other wolf whimpered and laid down in the snow in front of us. I looked between the two of them, who were clearly having a conversation. I looked at my wolf, “You know each other?” I asked, hoping he’d answer. Instead, he came closer and I reached out my hand to touch his fur. He rubbed his head through my fingers and an immense calmness washed over me. I felt happy and this warmness inside me seemed to grow. He sat in front of me facing the other wolf. We stood like this for some time while I waited to see what would happen next. Finally, the other wolf stood, looked at me, and then walked away into the woods.

My wolf turned and nudged me towards the path I had come. I followed him as he led me back through the forest and closer to my home. “Wait! I don’t want to go back yet. I want to be with you. I don’t even know who you are or why you are in my dreams.” He stopped and faced me with a look of concern in his eyes. He walked towards me and rubbed his head against my hand. I gently scratched behind his ears and wrapped my arms around his neck. He made me feel safe, loved, and happy. He made me feel like I never wanted to leave. He licked my face and I laughed out loud, the sound carrying through the woods. I kissed his face and he howled. I couldn’t help but laugh. He turned and headed towards my house and reluctantly I followed. He walked me right to the edge of the woods before sitting. I stood next to him, “Thank you for walking me home. I was scared of that other wolf and am glad that you showed up. I thought that it was you howling for me, so I came. I don’t know who you are or why you’re here but I’m happy that you are.” I bent down and placed a kiss on his head before turning and heading back into my house.

I made it up the stairs and back into my room. I pulled the curtains back and looked to see if my wolf was watching over me, but he was gone. I climbed into bed and pulled the soft inviting covers over me. I couldn’t wait until I could shift and run through the woods at night with him. Feeling the snow beneath my feet and being able to communicate with my pack. I shut my eyes thinking about my night in the woods and wondering who that other wolf was and why they were in the woods?

Snow was falling all around and I could tell the temperature was dropping. I was warm, wrapped in white fur, and could see my breath in the air. I looked around and saw that I was in the woods and the fresh scent of pine and snow filled the air. I took a step forward and realized I was a wolf. I had white fur and wondered what the rest of me looked like. I started to walk around and found myself in a different part of the woods. The mountains were close and I saw a pond up ahead. I walked along a path chasing snowflakes as I went, enjoying the feeling of the snow beneath my paws and the strength in my legs. I started to run towards the pond, excited to see my reflection. It was frozen and I tried to brush the snow away so I could see what I looked like. I peered over the side of the pond and found a beautiful white wolf with black-tipped ears looking back at me. My eyes were unique because I had one bright blue eye and one bright green. They shined like stars in the sky.

I heard a noise and froze. I listened closely and could hear others coming this way. I wasn’t sure who was coming so I decided to try and find a place to hide. I ran towards the woods and found a hollowed-out tree trunk with some branches around it. I squeezed my body into the position and waited. I heard three voices speaking but couldn’t tell who they were. I was drawn to them and wanted to show myself but something else was telling me to wait. I heard one of them laugh and panic flooded my veins. It was the trio. I recognized that laugh and if there were three of them it had to be them. Why were they here in my dream? I tried to listen closely to what they were saying but I couldn’t. I tried to sneak closer to get a better look but I knocked over one of the fallen branches, causing snow to plummet down from the tree above.

I jump out from the branches and snow and shake myself off. I look up to find all three boys staring at me like they’ve never seen a wolf before. Aspen took a step towards me and I stood up taller. “Be careful. We don’t know who that is.” Carson warned his brother. So, they don’t know who I am? They are in my dream. This is weird. Aspen continued to come closer to me. I watched as Carson stayed back never taking his eyes off his brother, while Barrett crossed his arms and looked annoyed. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I did know I wasn’t about to let Aspen touch me. I darted to the right and stopped a few feet away from the three of them. A look of recognition hit Aspens' face, making all three stand taller. “Vanilla and cinnamon,” they said in unison. What the hell are they talking about? I turned hearing someone else approaching. I saw him. My wolf. I let out a yip of excitement and ran towards him. The trio instantly shifted and growled like they were going to kill me. My wolf stood tall and placed himself between me and the three other wolves now staring at us. The tension was high and I knew this wasn’t good. I tried to put myself in the middle but both my wolf and Aspen tried to push me back. I needed to do something and fast. This was a dream. I knew it was a dream but why did this feel like such an important moment? I needed to wake up. WAKE UP ELSIE! I tried to tell myself. That wasn’t working. Okay, well, I can’t talk to them via mind link even in my dream so I need to shift. I have to become me so that I can talk to them. I have to make them understand. But how? I tried to concentrate on my human self. My hair, my body, my voice, pushing all my willpower into becoming human again. I clinched my teeth and tried to push my energy out hoping it would make me shift. Nothing was working. My wolf and the trio were in a standoff and, for whatever reason, I was in the middle of it. This was my dream. I had control so I could change it.

I was moving before I knew it. I took off running towards the pond. I slid out onto the frozen ice and skidded to a stop. On the edge of the pond stood my wolf and the trio watching me. They had stopped growling and were standing apart from each other but all of them were watching me. We couldn’t mind link so I had to do the only thing I could think of to make them stop fighting and for me to wake up. I jumped, forcing all of my weight onto the ice. A c***k sounded and ice splintered all across the pond. The wolves on the shore were pacing and whining back and forth. My heart was pounding and the adrenaline was pulsing through my body. I jumped and slammed my body weight into the ice again. Barrett shifted, “ALRIGHT! ENOUGH! Elsie come off the ice and we will shift and we can talk about this. I don’t know why we are all here or what the hell is going on, but just please, come off the ice.” I stared at him. So, he did know it was me. He turned and eventually his brothers shifted back too. Each one staring at me. I looked over and my wolf stood facing me, his eyes never leaving mine. I nodded and started to walk back towards them across the pond. c***k! I fell as the ice gave way. The icy cold water pulling me down as the wind was knocked out of me as I fell. I used my massive paws to swim, gulping down air as I hit the surface. I couldn’t hear anything except the beating of my heart and the splashing of water around me. Even with my thick fur, the water was freezing and I instantly regretted being out on the ice. I paddled and tried to find grip on the ice to pull myself out, but it was no use. I tried to get my claw into the ice and pull myself forward but it broke, sending me back down into the icy water below.

I swam towards the surface with all my might, my lungs begging me to take a breath. I hit the surface and a large hand grabbed my paw, pulling me out of the water. Another large hand grabbed my other paw and they worked together to pull me across the ice. I saw my wolf and Carson helping to hold Barrett and Aspen from falling into the ice. I made it to shore before this horrible pain tore through my entire body. It felt as if I was being broken and the ice was stabbing into every part of my flesh. What was happening to me?

I looked into the eyes of three boys who looked concerned and my wolf let out a howl. I felt my wet skin stick to the cold snow. I reached out for my wolf and saw my hand. What the hell? Then everything went black.

I was shivering and so cold that my teeth were chattering. I reached for my blanket and tried to wrap myself within its warmth. My hair clung to my shoulders and back, and was soaked in cold water. My pillow was wet and I couldn’t remember how I got this way. I grabbed my phone and saw that it was 3am. I was so cold and not sure what to do. I lay awake wishing I had a fire or a heater to help keep me warm. I felt my phone vibrate and I looked to see that Ashlynn had just messaged me.

A: You Up?

E: freezing

A: Do you remember what happened?

E: No. But I’m all wet and frozen.

A: Go start the shower and let the steam warm up the room. Wait until you start to feel warm and then get in. I’m coming over.

E: okay, but how will you get in?

I sat up, pushing myself to the edge of the bed. I was naked. I rubbed my temples, trying to remember what had happened. I remember going to bed and then waking up frozen. Pulling my blanket around me, I slowly walked to my bathroom and shut the door. I turned on the shower and let the hot water fill the space. I sat down and let the steam surround me, letting the warmth wrap itself around my body, causing the tingling sensation to run up my legs and arms. My teeth stopped chattering and I figured I was warm enough to get into the shower. I stood and let the hot water run over my body as the cold slipped away down the drain.

I stepped out of the shower and put on my robe. I brushed my teeth and reached for my phone hoping to find a message from Ashlynn. Surprisingly, I found one from Aspen.

Aspen: Are you alright?

Why was Aspen texting me? Hell, how did he even get my number?

E: Um, yea. Why? Also, how did you get my number?

Aspen: ….

He didn’t respond right away, so I opened my bathroom door to find Ashlynn sitting on the edge of my bed. “How did you get in here?” I asked while I pulled some clothes out of my dresser. “Easy. We have a key.” Ashlynn smiled and shrugged. “Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you’re here or how you knew something happened. Ashlynn bit her bottom lip, “why don’t you go get dressed and we can talk over coffee.” I changed into some sweatpants and a sweatshirt and headed downstairs where I could already smell the coffee brewing. I knew mom would be out there in a heartbeat once she got a whiff of it.

Ashlynn sat at the table and I brought over our coffee. She stared at me, “So…are you going to tell me what happened?” I gave her a blank look because, honestly, I had no idea. “I wish I knew. I went out to find my wolf, came home, went to bed, then I woke up all wet and freezing.” I sipped my coffee letting it warm from the inside. “Wait, you went to find what? Your wolf?” “Yea, you know. The wolf that protects me. I see him in my dreams and then he was at the party. I heard a wolf howling and went to find him. He protected me from this crazy wolf and then took me home.”

She was just staring at me like I was telling her I met aliens or something. “What’s the big deal? You’re a wolf.” I asked. I watched as she sipped her coffee contemplating what she was going to say. “Then what happened?” “Well, I came home and went to bed.” “That’s it. That’s all that happened?” she asked. “Yes. Like I said, I went to sleep and then woke up freezing and drenched. I have no idea how it happened.” Just then my phone vibrated on the table. Ashlynn looked at the phone, then at me. “You should answer that.”

Aspen: Ashlynn gave me your number.

I looked at Ashlynn. “You gave Aspen my number? Why?”

Aspen: It was important that I got a hold of you. I, we, wanted to make sure you were okay.

E: I’m fine.

Aspen: Good. I’ll see you at training.

I put the phone down on the table, irritated that Ashlynn seemed to know more than I did about why I was soaking wet and freezing. I looked at her, “Why don’t you tell me what happened, because I get the feeling that you and Aspen know more than I do.” Just then my mom walked into the kitchen. She looked at Ashlynn then at me, “Morning girls. You’re up awfully early. Anything I need to know about?” She poured herself a cup of coffee and joined us at the table. “I’m guessing you already know?” I asked her. “Not all of it. But I think I should hear what Ashlynn has to say. Then we can figure it out together.”

Ashlynn told us about my dream. How I had been there with the trio and my mystery wolf. I fell through the ice and all four men worked to try and save me. “Elsie, when they pulled you out you had shifted.” “What do you mean I had shifted?” My mom took my hands in hers, “Sweetheart, you were a wolf in the beginning of your dream and when they pulled you out you were you, human.” I looked between the two of them. “You mean in my dream, while I was asleep, I was a wolf and then shifted into my human form, and I was naked in front of four boys!” I stood knocking my chair behind me causing it to hit the floor. “Elsie, it’s not that bad. Shifters are naked in front of each other all the time. Being naked is normal. I’m sure the guys didn’t think anything of it.” I could feel the heat scorch across my face as embarrassment flooded through my body.

“Mom, what do I do now?” I grabbed the chair and sat back down at the table resting my head in my hands. Mom moved so she could rub my back. I felt my breathing slow as I relaxed to her touch. “ I think that we need to research about your dreams. It’s almost as if it’s another reality or a way for you to connect with the side of your wolf that you don’t have yet.” Ashlynn asked, “why would there be other people there? I’ve never been there but for some reason the trio showed up.” “That is true. I’m not sure. Did Aspen say anything else?” Ashlynn looked at her feet. My mom gasped. “What?! Would you stop doing that! It’s not fair that I don’t know what’s going on and you two keep talking to one another in your heads. Hell, I bet Aspen is in on it too.” Mom stood and walked into the kitchen refilling her coffee cup. “I’m really sorry Elsie. It’s just that Aspen told me that they knew it was you because of how you smelled in your wolf form,” Ashlynn took a sip of her coffee before continuing, “and that means that you could possibly be mates.” I wheeled around looking at my mom, “What does she mean mates?!”

A cough came from the doorway and I found my dad standing arms crossed looking as pale as a ghost. “Great, now dad knows. We might as well alert the entire pack at this point.” Mom and Ashlynn shot each other a glance. “Dear God! Tell me the entire pack doesn’t know!” “I don’t think the entire pack knows, yet. I told Aspen to keep it quiet, but they like to do what they want, so who knows. Nothing has been shared via the pack mind link so that’s good news.” “I literally cannot believe this is happening. I’m going to bed and I hope when I wake up this will all be another dream that I won’t remember.”