The Mute Bride

Her First Shift

The moon hung heavy in the sky the evening of her eighteenth birthday. The air seemed to vibrate, as if it knew what was coming. Kylan was filled with excitement, having dreamed of this day her entire life. As a pup growing up, her parents' stories were about the magic of turning and how it would enhance her entire life. She couldn’t wait for the senses that would come with her first shift, the feeling of the ground beneath her paws. Scratch that — she couldn’t wait to meet her wolf.

She smiled, humming in her head even if she couldn’t in reality. It was strange sometimes, having grown up without a voice to go with the thoughts in her head. When she was younger, she had to deal with the unfeeling taunts of children, passing down the hushed whispers of adults. She was lucky to have Carter and his family — it only took once for everyone to learn that Kylan was off limits to bullies.

No one liked facing the truth, but bullies in a society like theirs were commonplace. If you were different, you tended to hide it so that you didn’t become a target. Not everything could be hidden, much like her curious mutism, but for every case you saw with your own eyes, there were countless others hidden in the shadows of their world.

It hadn’t taken long in her primary years to become a target, but she would never forget the hand that held hers as she found her feet. Carter didn’t have to pay attention to her — but he found himself her staunch defender. It came to no surprise that her hero worship grew to a confident adoration as she got older. Her heart was overjoyed when their fathers announced their betrothal, cementing their connection despite the whispers about the Alpha’s son and his misplaced affection for the beta’s daughter. How could a girl who couldn’t speak ever be the pack’s Luna?

Carter wouldn’t have anyone else though, encouraged by his family’s love of the Beta and his family. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t like the others or even that she was weak for a wolf and she hadn’t even had her first shift. He loved her, and couldn’t wait for the day he got to make her his Luna in front of the entire pack.

Kylan stretched, her muscles a little stiff as she thought about what the ceremony would entail and what it meant for her future. This was her chance to show everyone that she wasn’t weak at all, and she deserved to stand at Carter’s side, his equal in every way.

Voices were low, hushed as the pack’s Luna and Alpha stood in the center of the clearing. Warmth exuded from them as everyone settled into place and their gaze fell upon the girl at the edge of the clearing. Kylan wore white, her hair plaited with flowers to compliment the sheer gown that lightly wrapped about her. Her feet bare, she started to slowly make her way to the center. People were watching on both sides, some with curiosity, some with excitement. The energy was palpable.

A sort of calm came over her with each step towards her Alpha, her bright gaze flicking over all in the clearing. Unable to help herself, she looked over at where Carter stood, close enough to still be seen as the Alpha in Waiting, but not close enough that he took over this special time. Her whole body visibly relaxed, her attention swinging back with a smile. A booming voice was heard over the clearing, "Tonight, we have gathered as is our custom, to usher a new mature wolf into our ways. By showing reverence for this most important day in a young wolf's life, we honour the Mother that gifts us. We embrace her guidance and follow her will in this and in all things." Kylan swallowed, her eyes large as she peeked around the clearing and back up at her Alpha's serious and yet compassionate features. "Kylan Ashe, we celebrate you under the Moon's light. We embrace your nature into our own, your strengths molded by those of your mate and pack. Moving forward, you are Wolf and the Luna in Waiting. Are you ready to receive your gifts?"

She nodded, her face showing her delight, her joy at this moment. Luna took that as her cue and stepped behind her. This first shift was the most vulnerable, being exposed in such a public manner. With the Alpha's nod, his wife slipped the dress from Kylan's form, allowing it to pool at her feet. Bare before all, she knelt before her Alpha, head bowed as she waited. His hand came down to rest on her head, pouring his own strength into her as she breathed, forcing herself to relax. It was the energy of the evening, she told herself, feeling how taut her muscles were, how eager to run she really was. She gazed up at him and wondered what her wolf would look like, would feel like. He was talking softly, as if to the wolf inside her, causing her to tilt her head. She could just feel an impatience in the back of her mind, almost as if something were pacing. Blinking once, twice, she trembled as something tried to push forward, to take over. Almost fearful, she had to remind herself that this was meant to happen.

Finally, she let go, an almost primal energy filling her body. A growl is heard and yet, she didn't feel any differently. Why didn't she feel anything? Just before she passed out, she could hear a gasp from a short pace away. "Her hair!" was the last thing she heard as the world turned black.