Moonlit Valor

The First Shift

Her leg throbs, the steady slice of pain echoing through every step as she limps through the forest. There wasn’t a day when her leg didn’t hurt, but today, of all days, it seems so much worse.

Sniffing the scents of other wolves nearby and hearing them romping around the fall leaves only adds insult to injury. Glancing down at the ground, she does her best to hold back any recognition of her pain. Continuing, she hurries toward the small house up ahead where she knows her mother is waiting.

Although her pain is deafening, even she can’t hide the thrill of excitement that flashes just under her skin. Tonight she will shift for the very first time!

She wonders what her wolf will look like. What it will feel like to shift and become one with the other soul that dwells inside her. She can’t help but glance down at her handicapped leg, wondering how much it would impact her wolf. With a quick shake of her head, she hurries on, finally reaching the house. Before she can even make it up the porch, her mother quickly pulls the door open, a relieved smile on her face.

“Anna, you’re home. We must get you ready.” Her mother leads the way inside. Anna pulls the door shut behind herself and quickly discards her bag and shoes. “Did things go alright in the shop today? And school, how was it?” Her mother asks as she begins to un-braid her daughter’s hair.

“Same as always,” Anna says, hoping her mother will not question her further. Anna does her best to never remind her mom that she isn’t treated fairly. In a community full of able-bodied werewolves, a disabled pup sticks out sorely. She becomes lost in thought, remembering the way that she was picked last in science class today when everyone was partnering up for a project. The way that customers in the store looked right through her when she offered to help or how Gamma Justin had run right into her today, clearly not seeing her mopping the floor. Even her own mother was un-braiding her hair right now when Anna was perfectly capable of doing it herself.

She took a breath to calm herself, letting her mother continue. For the next hour, Anna got ready for the ceremony that would take place that night. She got clean, bathing in fine soaps and lotions that were only used on special occasions. Her mother brushed out her wild, curly brown hair before styling it carefully. Anna then took some time away in her room, sitting and meditating to soothe her anxieties.

For all other wolves in her clan who had also turned eighteen, this was a very exciting night. They would shift, possibly find their mate, and finally embrace their full selves during this fall equinox. For Anna, however, it wasn’t quite so simple. Growing up, she was frequently told how lucky she was that her father was the Beta, as it was incredibly rare for disabled pups to make it through their childhood. Her lineage was likely the only reason she had survived, her bloodline giving her strength. But no one was sure if she would be strong enough to survive her transition. During late nights, when her parents' friends would visit, Anna would listen behind doors as the adults would wonder about her chances at adult life and what it could look like for her. Her parents always said hopeful words, but the tone in their voices indicated that they feared otherwise.

Although Anna doesn’t open her eyes, she knows when it is time by the way that the sounds in the forest grow. The voices are full of excitement, the footsteps are full of speed. Everyone is ready for this step in their lives. Everyone but Anna.

With a last deep breath, she stands and heads out into the living room where her mother waits. Without saying a word, they interlace their arms and head outside, joining the others in the pilgrimage to the center of the forest. They soon reach the ritual center, which has large stones stuck in the ground, standing vertically, reaching up to the sky. They are taller than any werewolf and have been there since their ancestors first started the Moonlight Harbor pack.

Her mother gives her a reassuring pat on her arm and then leaves, allowing Anna to be with her peers who will also be transitioning for the first time tonight. Alpha Victor steps into the center of the group. The very presence of the tall, dark Alpha causes the whole group to hush. Anna notices his son, Xavier standing near his father, looking like a younger, kinder, and more observant version of his father. For as long as Anna can remember, she has always been crushing on Xavier. He is the best of them, and someday he will make an incredible Alpha. Like everyone else though, he never seems to notice her. The fact that her parents unconsciously keep her off to the side probably doesn’t help either.

Xavier only looks at his father, while Alpha Victor quietly scans the group. When his gaze gets close to Anna, she looks to the ground, trying to seem as submissive as possible, even though her father is the Beta.

“Tonight all of you will join our clan as fully embraced adult werewolves. You will continue on the path that our ancestors set for us, merging with your wolf souls, becoming one as the Moon Goddess intended,” Alpha Victor’s voice sounds out across the forest clearing. “As you are aware, it will be incredibly painful, but your wolf will heal you and give you strength. I will see you all on the other side.” He bows his head to us and we return the gesture back to him. Then we all turn to look up at the sky. The clouds linger for a moment before shifting to reveal the full moon. Suddenly, the sounds of many shifting and changing ring out all around and that’s when she feels her bones breaking.