Chapter 11: The Shift
1244 Words
Angel came back with several books in her arms, two about the fae wars, and three with general facts about the fae.
“There is little on their medical history,” Angel grimaced. “But we should be able to piece things together from these.”
“Wonderful,” Lia smiled. “You’re dismissed, if you’d like to go.”
“Actually, Alpha, I’d like to stay,” the omega lowered her head. “I want to learn more about our new Luna.”
“Well then we appreciate the help,” Lia replied, grabbing a book off the pile. Everyone, including the doctor, dug into their selected read, looking for more information.
“It says here that fae live off a diet of berries and fruits," Lia chuckled.
"Well that's just false," Rheya shook her head, knowing she could eat a full plate of bacon and eggs presently.
"This one is talking about the war. It says that a great number of fae can emit light as an attack,” Angel said.
“How would I go about doing that?” Rheya wondered, closing her eyes.
“Wait!” Lia raised her voice. “Don’t go casting any light balls in my bedroom, no need to burn the house down or something,” she joked, bumping shoulders with her.
“That’s true,” Rheya blushed with embarrassment.
“We can practice once you’re ready to shift,” Lia held her hand. “I’m so ready to see my little fae blossom into her full capabilities.”
“There’s one more thing,” the doctor said, holding up her book. It was titled Fae Corruption, by Wesley Ross. She started reading the passage aloud. “Some of my coworkers have fallen ill as of recent, claiming that they are unable to sleep without being wrought with terrible nightmares. They say that the great fae comes to them in their dreams and won’t let them wake up, torturing their minds.”
“That’s terrible,” Angel gasped, looking between the book and Rheya.
She shakes her head. “I have weird dreams, but I’ve never been in someone else’s dream.”
Karina stepped forward in her mind. Do not speak of our dreams.
Why? Rheya asked her.
I do not trust everyone in this room. Our dreams are for you and I only.
Rheya nodded, confused, but not willing to argue. She looked at everyone gathered around her, reading up on fae history, and couldn’t help but feel at ease. These people cared about her, enough to learn about her and help her with her transition. She trusted Karina, but she also trusted them.
They all delved back into their reading, but before long, Rheya’s pain started getting worse again. She bent over, trying to ease the pain in her back and muscles. She tried to speak but all that came out was a groaning growl.
“I think she’s about ready to shift. Let’s get her outside,” Lia said, picking her up bridal style. Rheya tucked her head under Lia’s chin, sniffing her neck and using the cinnamon scent of her mate to calm herself down.
They brought her out to the backyard and set her down on a bench, Lia gingerly helping her strip down to her underwear. She knew that other members of the pack were watching, but she was in too much agony to be self conscious.
“Okay, Sunshine,” Lia said. “Time to show everyone what you’ve got. Can you help Karina?”
Rheya mumbled a yes and closed her eyes, meeting up with her wolf in her mind. Karina leaned against her in an attempt to ease some discomfort. I’m ready when you are.
Rheya took a deep breath and listened to Lia’s instructions, letting go of her control and allowing her body to lay limp. Slowly, Karina was able to take over. At first she could only control fingers and toes, and then slowly lifted an arm. The pain got more intense, and Rheya watched curiously as her skin turned a darker colour. Then her skin burned, and fur started sprouting out from under her skin.
She started crying when her bones started to reform themselves, slowly breaking and rejoining in different ways. She tried to focus on Lia stroking her hair and whispering soft words of encouragement.
“That’s it, my little Rhey of Sunshine,” Lia smiled and kissed her forehead. “Almost over.”
Soon she grew, shredding her clothes. A tail made its appearance and so did two fuzzy ears. Finally, the pain stopped, and Rheya laid on the ground, panting heavily.
I never want to do that again.
Lia stood up and walked out of her vision while she rested, then came back with a wall mirror.
“Look, babygirl,” Lia said, holding the mirror up.
Rheya slowly rose to her paws, padding in front of the mirror. She was awestruck by the image staring back at her. Her fur was a silky silver, much like how Karina appeared in her mind’s eye. Her eyes glowed green, and sparks of pink and white shot off her coat. But the only part Rheya could truly focus on were the wings.
She hadn’t even felt them sprouting, but on her back were two glorious silver wings with white under feathers. These must’ve been why her back was hurting so much earlier. She had trouble at first, figuring out how to control them. She spread them wide, the wingspan stretching to about 10 feet across. She tried to flap them, feeling the resistance of the wind under them.
Lia whistled at her, winking. Danny and Angel stood nearby, amazed by the sight. Other wolves scattered around the clearing had stopped and stared, mesmerized by Rheya.
She settled her wings, then leaned her head back and did the only thing that felt right. She howled. The other wolves in the clearing joined in, singing a gleeful song for their new Luna.
Lia shifted, and together, Niko and Karina took off into the forest. They nipped at each other playfully, jumping over logs and diving under bushes. They eventually stopped at the same clearing that Rheya had seen in her dream. They stopped and padded along the shore, Karina nudging Niko with her nose. Now that she was fully transformed, her sense of smell was heightened. Niko, or Lia, smelled just like a cinnamon roll, with sweet icing drizzled over every inch of her.
She turned towards her and transformed, fully nude beside her mate. It was much easier that time, the melding process going much faster than before. The sun was just setting, casting a warm orange glow over the pair. Niko also transformed back into Lia, who looked her up and down before pulling her in for a loving kiss.
“I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life,” Lia said, making Rheya blush. “You are everything, mon amour.”
“I could say the same for you,” Rheya grinned, wrapping her arms around her partner. “I love you.
“I love you too.”
- Writer
