The Mark

The first shift

The moon was almost completely round, but it was not a full moon yet. Looking from the darkest point in the wood the sky looked breathtaking.

“Are you scared?” asked little girl. Milky Way was sparkling in her big blue eyes.

“No. Are you?” said the boy laying next to her on the grass.

“A little, I guess.” she replied. Although it was a lie. She was scared a lot and she knew that her brother was scared too. But that was okay. She was also excited and their mom used to say that everything’s going to be fine, every young wolf has to go through this.

She was almost 11 and her brother was 12. It probably will be the year for him.

The first shift.

“I’m not scared of pain, you know” said red haired boy after being silent for a while “I’m scared it won’t happen again.”

“But it will Miles!” replied enthusiastically his sister “I’m sure, I can feel it! “

“You were sure last year too.” said Miles quietly. Almost every other boy his age shifted last year. First full moon after summer solstice is always stressful time for young wolfs. After their first change they share stories from that special night. All his friends were talking about their wolves, how they felt, how they howled for the first time. He was waiting, but nothing happened.

“But it’s different this time. This time we’ll be together” she took his hand and looked at him “we’ll shift together Miles, and next time we’ll sneak out from the house, it will be as wolves. I promise.”

“If you say so.” said Miles trying not to sound too excited, but somehow she actually managed to change his attitude.

They stayed in their secret spot for a little longer. Sometimes they could show the other one what they’re seeing, and they were doing that while watching stars and connecting them with imaginary lines into animals or things.

“Come on Kiara” said eventually Miles getting up “we need to come back. We’ve been here for a while, I don’t want mom to find out about our trips.”

Red haired girl didn’t reply, instead she just got up and grabbed her brother’s hand. They walked away leaving two small bodies silhouettes visible on the grass.

They were walking in silence, listening to night woods noises. It was completely dark but although they weren’t wolves officially, they were werewolves so their senses were better than usual children’s. They saw quite clearly in the dark, but what’s more important their smell sense was incredibly strong. They could smell their home from the woods. It was only 1 mile away from their secret spot, so the walk wasn’t too long. The house was quite big, at least Kiara thought so, and she enjoyed it. There was plenty of space to play with Miles but also to hide if she wanted to be alone.

Her and Miles’ rooms were opposite each other with stairs between them, right in front of which was a big round stained glass window. They both thought it’s beautiful. During the day, sun was shining and the whole corridor between their rooms was bright and colourful, green from the tree, red from the rose petals flying around a silhouette of a woman and blue like the robe she was wearing. But it was also stunning at night when the colours were more dull, darker. Miles was always saying that at night it looks so mysterious and hypnotising.

As soon as they approached the back door, they heard steps inside. They always come back this way, and their mom is always asleep so they’ve never been in trouble because of their escapades. But apparently she had a sleepless night. And that was a problem.

“Mom’s awake” whispered Miles.

“Do you think she knows?” Kiara tighten the grip on her brother’s hand “What are we going to do now?!”

Miles knew that she started panicking and did his best to calm her.

“If she knew she would’ve called the police and searched for us. She probably just can’t sleep. Don’t worry Kie.” said Miles and started going towards wooden gazebo which was right under the window to his room “We can’t enter from the back nor the front door. We need to climb.”

Kiara’s mood immediately changed. She loved climbing, although she felt more like monkey than a wolf doing that and her mom was always saying that it’s not a girly thing to do.

Wolf siblings approached the gazebo. Miles took a small table from inside and place it in the corner between house wall and the side wall of the gazebo.

“You go first” said to Kiara “I’m right behind you, but I’ll need to hide the table first.”

He was tall enough to reach gazebo roof without any stool. His sister still needed one. She waited for Miles on the roof, and after he joined her, they entered his room through the window.

“Mission accomplished.” said Miles smiling.

His room was painted dark green. There were 3 shelves with trophies and medals, most of them gold, some silver. His wrestling coach said that he actually could do that professionally in the future.

“What do you think mom was doing so late?” asked Kiara after being quiet for a while.

“I don’t know. She was in the kitchen so maybe…” stopped Miles, not wanting to finish the sentence.

“You think she drinks.” said his sister like she could read his mind. To be fair sometimes she could, but even without that she knew that he wanted to say this. They often saw her pouring drinks to a glass or adding some liquid into her tea and juice. She tried to be careful and keep it secret but they noticed anyway.

In the beginning it was once in two or three months. But years went by and months became weeks and then days.

Miles sat on the bed and patted a spot right next to him to encourage his sister to sit. He took her hand trying to comfort her but also himself. Suddenly the door to his room opened.

“What are you doing up so late?” asked their mom concerned “Kiara go to your room” added louder and more irritated when she saw them holding hands.

Sofia was quite tall woman. Her shoulder length hair were completely grey although she was only 35. But it didn’t change that she was still very beautiful. Her eyes were dark brown, just like Miles’ and when she was irritated like now, they were almost black.

“Haven’t I told you, you’re both too old to hold hands now!” said Sofia as a good night when Kie looked at her brother and started walking slowly towards her room. After that it was only silence.

She didn’t like them being so affectionate. Of course it was great that they are close and don’t fight, but they might’ve had some problems because of that. They might’ve been bullied. Young siblings didn’t understand their mom. They weren’t doing anything wrong, so what’s the point to stop. Katie and Anna from school always held their hands and they were 12. Mattie from Kiara’s class often hugged her younger sister when she was sad or when she fell like two days ago. But for some reason their mom was relentless about that.

Miles changed to pyjamas and went straight to bed and so did Kie.

They both woke up early, excited for the upcoming evening. That was the full moon night. Their first shift, at least they hoped so.

Sofia prepared clean, white clothes for them to wear tonight. It was their pack’s tradition to wear white uniforms during that special event. She actually thought it’s stupid, all those clothes won’t be any good after that, but Alpha insisted to keep that tradition going. And who was she to object?

Most of the day Kia and Miles were sitting in the garden, drinking lemonade and sunbathing. They weren’t eager to play or even to talk, although they didn’t have to. They both knew that all what the other one could think about was upcoming twilight.

It was 6pm, everyone started to gather. Kie and Miles were already there with their mom.

The air was heavy with all the excitement mixed with fear.

“Mom, you look nervous” said Miles suddenly “you weren’t that nervous a year ago.”

“I’m not.” she definitively didn’t want to talk about that “and you don’t have reasons to be too.”

“But mom…”

“Enough.” said firmly “Look, Alpha is here.”

Tall man in his thirties was heading towards the centre of the crowd. His hair were brown with red reflexes. Even though he was fully clothed, you could see how muscular he is. Next to him was walking a woman which looked like his female version.

“Welcome everyone on this special night!” said in alpha voice, and his naturally blue eyes turned ice blue “it’s a pleasure for me and Luna Celeste to see all young wolves waiting impatiently for their first shift.”

Usually luna was someone that was mated with alpha, but it was different in their pack. Celeste was his younger sister. She became a Luna after Tina - Alpha’s mate and wife - died while giving birth, taking their only child with her. That happened long time ago but he never recovered. He was still a great Alpha to his pack, but he couldn’t be a husband or a lover to anybody. So he asked Celeste to take Luna’s place. She hesitated a little, but everyone that knew about the proposition, encouraged her to do it. Especially her fiancée Rebecca. She knew that Celeste is perfect for that role; caring, empathetic but also strong and intelligent. So Alpha’s sister agreed. “Indeed Dan. I’m so proud of every little wolf gathered here. Remember that if it won’t happen for you today, it doesn’t change anything. You’re still a part of this pack and it only means you need a little more time.” said Celeste also using Alpha voice. Not only was she a Luna but also she was from Alpha family by blood. Doing that, her blue eyes lightened just like her brother’s.

“Thank you Celeste. Please remember, this night is about celebrating something magical, something good. Even if it won’t happen for you, enjoy it as much as you can and be happy for your friends.” added Dan.

“Without further ado, let the ceremony begin!” shouted enthusiastically Luna.

Dan and Celeste grabbed their hands and looked at each other the last time in their human form. Suddenly they started running, slowly at the beginning, then faster and faster, eventually they both jumped and turned into huge red wolves midair. It was spectacular. Everyone’s eyes were pointed towards them. They both howled loud. That was like a catalyst for young wolves, it was all supposed to help them shift for the first time. And it worked.

Kie and Miles were holding hands. Sofia could see that but she also could see how stressed now they are so she decided not to say anything. Suddenly Kie screamed and kneeled. Right after that Miles did the same thing. There were a lot of screams and crying now. It is indeed beautiful ceremony but it can also be a little brutal as the first shift usually hurts really bad.

Over the next 10 minutes a field full of white dots changed to a field with little energetic wolves everywhere.

Alpha and Luna let them stay in that form until midnight and then howled to gather everyone around. When they had everyone’s attention they shifted back to their human form. Almost immediately Rebecca came with two robes as they were completely naked. Both of them had this symbol on their lower back, like crescent moon. They covered quickly and Dan said “Thank you everyone for coming. That was an amazing night and it was a pleasure to see so many of you during this special time.”

“Now go home and rest.” said Luna “Parents too!” added.

Everyone laughed. Sofia was indeed exhausted.

Kie and Miles changed in front of their mom. She came to Kiara first and very carefully examined her body, like she was looking for any wound.

“I’m fine mom, just give me my clothes please”said Kiara now feeling terribly tired.

“Mom please” added Miles like he wanted to agree with his sister. He was also incredibly tired, but so happy. He did it.

They both had their clothes on and after saying good bye to all friends they headed home.

They didn’t say anything during their way back home. Although they were so excited they were just too sleepy.

After getting home everyone took a shower and went straight to bed. Sofia kissed their kids good night.

“I’m a real wolf now” thought Miles smiling wile laying in his bed.

“I am too!” thought Kie responding. Young siblings got up quickly, run to open the doors to their rooms. Their surprised eyes met. They could mind link.