THREE HEARTBEATS

TRANSFORMATION

The hall was filled with the humming of conversation and howling of wolves, but everything became hushed when Roland and Roger suddenly leaped out of the podium and began to race towards the door on the left side of the auditorium.

With a pounding heart that threatened to burst with each passing second, Regina used the chair in front of her to steady herself and then stood amid the crowd. Panic surges as a strange sensation creeps into her veins. A sensation so strange and made her gasp for breath.

'Please, Hagrid. Don't do this to me here.'

Regina muttered to her wolf who, having been bottled up for a longer time than necessary, turned deaf ears to her plead.

"Are you okay?"

She ignored Benny's scared voice and disturbing look. Even though she had never transformed before, she had heard a lot of stories and read a lot of books about what was about to happen to her. And since she had no moment to spare, she gasped raggedly, staggered as she left the chair, and then bolted out of the auditorium. And she could hear the murmurs of confusion at her back.

"Stop.'

It was Roland's authoritative voice, but Regina was not in the position to oblige. Her only thought was to get to somewhere safe before the transformation knocked her out.

'I command you to stop now, Regina.'

'I can't. I'm about to transform. Please go away, I want to be left alone.'

The moon was full and glaring in the sky when she stepped outside, and the stars shone brightly to illuminate her way.

"I know how you are feeling."

"No, you don't. Leave me alone."

'I'm here to make sure you are okay. Please wait and let me help you.'

She didn't want to wait and be helped. She just wants to be left alone. The Alphas' twins had already caused a lot of trouble and the best thing is to avoid them before they cause more.

'I don't need your help. Just go away."

Her senses directed her toward a bush close by. Luckily for her, the first wave of the transformation hit her as soon as she lay under the shade of a tree. The pains wracked her body, making tears flow down her face and her fingers dipped into the earth as she fought against the inevitable.

Roland kneels beside her, his voice cutting through the haze of agony. "Regina. You can do this. Focus on my voice and breath."

Regina's veins began to grow bigger, her bones started shifting, and her skin started to expand painfully.

"You are not alone. I know it's brutal and tormenting, but you can do it, Regina. Just focus on my voice and the pains will go away."

As her body gave way to the lupine form manifest, Regina closed her eyes and bit her lower lips to stop the screams building up in her. And her last memory was that of Roland's words of encouragement.

"I'm proud of you, Regina. You have faced your fear and survived."

Thirty minutes ago...

Roger was right behind Roland when he leaped out of the podium. And just like him, his destination was towards his newfound mates. But midway, four strong arms roughly pulled him into the crowd.

"What's going on, Roger? You look like someone possessed by the devil."

"Am okay, Jenny. Let go of my shirt."

"You are not okay, baby. I have never seen you worked up like this before ."

"I said I'm good. Let go of my jacket."

Jenny and Benny glare at the panting man.

"Where are you going?"

Roger tried to snatch his arm from the twin's hand, but he was immediately pulled back into their grips. "Can't you see am running after Roland? You are delaying me by holding me here."

Jenny's face was filled with fear, "Please talk to me, my love. Roland was about to call us to the podium but suddenly stopped and raced after Regina. We need to know what's going on."

"Sure, ladies. Just let go of my shirt before you tear it."

Jenny signaled to Benny to let go of Roger's shirt, but the two ladies stood alert and ready to grab him if he tried to run.

"Now talk to us, Roger. Where is my man?"

Roger threw his two arms up in despair. "I can't tell you anything until I meet Roland."

Benny turned towards Jenny, "What has that b***h done to my man?"

"I have no idea, Jenny. But I won't let Roger leave here without knowing what's going on."

"It has to do with Regina, right?"

"Yes, Benny. But it's not what you are thinking."

"Whatever it is, I am sure it's not good news. Am I right?"

Roger stared back at Jenny and then shrugged, "It depends on your definition of good news. Can I go now, please?"

"No way, dude. Tell us what's going on or take us to your brother if you have lost your tongue."

For the first time in years, Roger was at a loss of what to say to free himself from the grip of the Lindsey twins. Just then, Roland's voice sounded in his head.

"Hey, Brother. Where are you?"

"Am held here by the twins. They want to know what's going on. What should I tell them?"

"Anything from the truth. We can't let them know about our mate yet ."

"They want to see you."

"No. I can't see them either. Can't you escape from them and come over here?"

"I can't. They will chase me to the end of the world if I dare run. How is Regina?"

"She is transforming. I want you to meet her wolf."

"Let me get rid of the twins first."

"Whatever you do, don't bring the twins to me, nor allow them to come to our cabin. We can't afford their tantrums now."

"Okay, brother. I will be with you shortly."

"Are you guys hiding something from us?" Jenny's voice jolted Roger back to his presence.

"Oh no, sweet Jenny. We aren't hiding anything from you."

"Then tell us what's going on."

"I will, dear. But you must promise that you will let me go if I tell you the truth."

"Of course, you have my words."

"And you, Benny?"

"It's a deal."

Roland removed his suit jacket and draped it over her trembling body. Like a fragile object, he gently lifted her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. And he could feel her heartbeat. Faint, but steady.

"You will be okay."

The night breeze bites against his skin as he steps towards their cabin.

Inside, he laid her on the bed, wore his suit jacket, covered her with a blanket, lay beside her, and then wrapped his arms around her.