Sharp Edges

The Change

Second year in Jasper...

Today's the day, I tell myself while looking at my reflection in Zack's bathroom mirror. I turn on the faucet and splash cold water on my face. I really need to put on my big girl panties before Zack, and Jules wake up. I am one hundred percent sure this is what I want. That doesn't mean I'm not scared out of my fricken mind.

"Beautifully Broken." I say out loud.

Since Jaxon, I had mentally viewed myself as beautifully broken. Not as a conceded compliment to my looks, but as a reminder not to take my pain out on the world around me. A reminder to show kindness, and grace when those concepts seem like a cruel joke. A reminder that I could be broken without breaking others. Well... I am done feeling broken. Today is the day all the pieces will be put back together. Yes, they will be put back together a little... who am I kidding... a lot, differently, but I will be whole again. Today I take back my power.

With a deep breath I leave the bathroom, tip toeing back into the bedroom. Zack is sleeping in the middle of the bed snuggled up to Jules on one side. I crawl back into my spot opposite of Jules. Zack rolls over and pulls me into his chest before kissing the back of my head.

"Good morning baby girl."

"Good morning. I am sorry if I woke you."

He doesn't reply, and after a few moments his breathing is long and deep again. I concentrate on his breaths, and soon I doze back off as well.

When I wake the second time, sunlight is streaming through the window. I bet it is almost noon. Jules, and Zack are still sleeping peacefully. I sneak out of bed again and make my way into the kitchen.

Everyone could use a good meal to start the day out right. I decide on chicken and waffles, and check for a few ingredients before I begin cooking. I've spent enough time here that I know my way around, and in no time brunch is ready.

As if on cue, Zack and Jules make their way into the kitchen.

Jules greets me, "Good morning! Thank you for making breakfast hun. You should have woken me. I would have helped you."

"It's more of a brunch since we slept in so late, but I really don't mind. You cooked last time." I tell her handing her a plate. "Coffee is ready when you are." I add.

"You, Coleman are an angel sent from heaven." She says cheerfully and bumps my butt playfully with her own on her way towards the coffee.

Zack raps his arms around me from behind while I pile his plate high with food.

"Good morning again baby girl." He kisses my cheek and continues, "How did you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well considering we all shared a bed. I feel energized." I answer.

He kisses me again. "I'm glad. All three of us together has made my wolf happy, which is odd because I usually only feel this buzzed after a good mating." He says, biting playfully at my ear.

I turn, and kiss his cheek handing him his plate.

"Happy wolf, happy life." I tease. "Your orange juice is next to the fridge." I finish, pointing to a glass I already poured.

"I feel it too." Jules chimes in. "I feel so buzzed. I'm only drinking this coffee out of habit, and because I like the taste of course." She was practically vibrating in her seat and stills only long enough to take an impressively long sip of coffee.

I look back and forth between my two friends. I love them. They are my family now, and today would make it official. I am ready.

"So how does this work?" I ask.

I did not have to elaborate. It has been a year since they told me they were shifters and for Zack's sake I had agreed to wait one year before having him change me.

"Well baby girl, I'm going to bite you, and it is going to hurt. A lot." Zack answers.

"And Skye, that's the easy part. It will get worse. A lot worse, before it starts to get better. Every instinct in your body will tell you to fight the pain. Don't. You must let it break you. Literally." Jules adds.

"Lovely." I reply, sarcastically.

"Zack is going to go get things ready for the shift. In the meantime, we have an appointment at the spa." Jules says.

"The spa?" I ask.

"Yes, the spa. I figured it would be a good way for you to relax, and not stress until Zack has everything ready."

" What do you mean 'until Zack has everything ready'? Isn't he just going to bite me?" I ask.

"We are going to do everything we can to make this easier on you, baby girl." Zack answers.

"Okay... I trust you." I smile at Zack.

 "Both of you." I add, turning to Jules with a smile.

After breakfast Jules and Zack head back to the bedroom to get dressed for the day. I am washing dishes in the sink when I hear their loud moans drifting down the hall. Shaking my head at them I gather the plates and begin tidying up the kitchen.

                                                                             *******

One amazing massage, two rejuvenating facials, and several hours later, Jules and I are making the drive up into the mountains.

“Zack has chosen a location accessible by ATV. He has already checked the area for any humans, and I will be patrolling in my wolf form to make sure the two of you are not interrupted." Jules explains.

"I can't believe this is really happening." I speak. More to myself than to Jules.

Taking in the view, I am in awe of where my life has led me. A little over two years ago, my head was filled with thoughts of marriage, children, and a lifetime with the man I loved. A lifetime of normal, mundane things. Now my life was anything but mundane. I physically cringe at thoughts of love and marriage, like someone was putting salt in an open wound. The sun is setting behind the mountains, and I cannot help but think the view represents today flawlessly. Just as the sun sets in the evening sky, bringing the day to a close, I am closing the door on my past.

"You can still change your mind, Skye. We won't think any less of you." Jules replies. Oblivious to my inner revelations.

"Honestly... I’m a little nervous, but I know this is what I want. It's just that... never in a million years would I have imagined my life turning out this way. At the same time... nothing...has ever felt more right." I reply.

"Amen to that girl."

Before long Jules exits the highway onto a gravel road. The crunching sound of tires on gravel begins to fade, and the road changes into nothing but a dirt path. When the dirt path ends, we are in a small turn around area. Trees lining the border.

Jules puts the car in park but doesn't make any move to exit the car. It is clear she has something on her mind, so I stay put as well.

"Skye..." She starts but doesn’t continue.

"Jules what is it?" I ask.

"Well... You’ve become my best friend.... More like a sister really... and, well I don't know what I would do without you. So... just don't die. Okay?" She finishes in a rush.

I make my scouts honor sign, and reply, "I, Skye Coleman, swear not to die while I shift into a wolf for the first time." I smile and pull her in for a hug. "It's official now, so you have nothing to worry about..." I say, as she hugs me back.

"For what it's worth... I don't know what I would do without you either." I add.

We break from our embrace.

"Are you ready?" She asks.

"Let's do this thing." I chant, laughing.

Zack emerges from between the trees on a four-wheeler, while Jules and I are getting out of the car.

Zack greets us, "Ladies.”

“I'm all set."  He adds.

"Here goes nothing." I reply, climbing onto the four-wheeler behind Zack.

"I'll meet you guys up there." Jules says, hugging me one last time.

 We head back up the trail that Zack had just come in on, the wind is whipping around us as he drives.

When we arrive, Zack turns off the ATV, and I look around...shocked into silence. An air mattress has been set up with multiple blankets and quilts spread out over it. Around the mattress are several large candles, putting off the perfect amount of light, an Ice bucket containing a bottle of tequila, and a basket at the foot of the bed holding a neatly folded set of clothes; my clothes... to be more precise.

"Zack what is all this?" I ask, moving around the mattress taking everything in.

"I wanted to make this experience... well... less awkward and miserable." He answers.

"You didn't have to do all of this for me..." I say, making my way back to where he is standing.

"...but I am glad you did." I add, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"I am glad you like it baby girl." He says.

Zack picks up the bottle of liquor and opens it. He takes a long swig from the bottle before handing it to me. I take my own swig and set the bottle on the ground. 

"I'm ready Zack." I tell him.

"Not yet." He answers, picking the bottle back up and taking a seat on the opposite side of the mattress.

He leans back and opens his arms. "Come here?" He asks. 

I snuggle into him, feeling his muscles through his shirt. He takes another long sip before handing the bottle back to me.

"Drink baby girl. For both our sakes." He says.

I comply. Taking several more drinks before handing it back to him. We pass the bottle back and forth until its empty. Zack tosses it on the ground above the mattress.

"Please tell me werewolves do not get hang overs?" I ask, "Because, if they do, I am totally going to regret that bottle tomorrow morning." I finish, laying back on the pillows. Looking into the clear night sky, I notice two moons instead of one and realize just how true my statement was. I was already seeing double.

I am starting to feel the heat from the alcohol coursing through my veins, and even though it is only around 40 degrees out, I feel hot all over.

Answering my question Zack says, "It is possible, but it takes a significant amount." He answers, sitting up on his elbow to look at me.

...

...

...

"I need you to tell me one more time that you are ready for this." He says, after a few moments of silence pass between us.

With one hand on either side of his face, I tell him for the second time, " I am ready for this Zack."

He closes the distance between us. His kiss is passionate, and his hands begin to explore my body. He pulls me into his lap so that I am straddling him and removes my coat without ever breaking the connection between our lips.

My body, fueled by tequila and need, takes control. Zack removes my top, and expertly unclasps my bra, tossing it away. He breaks our kiss to unbutton my pants, then flips us over so that I now lay beneath him on the mattress. He takes a moment to admire my bare chest, n*****s hard from the cool mountain air, before removing my jeans and lace panties.

His kisses move from my lips. Following a line along my jaw, down my neck, across my collar bone, and down to my chest. His lips tease each of my breast respectively before continuing downward toward my belly button. He sucks and nips along the way, making me moan in pleasure.

Zack's lips move to the soft tissue just above my hip bone. He gives a soft lick, a gentle kiss, and then he bites.

Hard.

I cry out in pain. That bite was not like the s****l playful bites from before. There is a split second where shock takes over my senses before realization sets in.

This is the bite that will turn me into a wolf.

I don't have time to process any further. The pain from the bite does not begin to fade as I expect. Instead, it seems to be getting worse. I have to look to make sure he didn't rip a large chunk of my skin away when he released me. To my surprise the bite mark is barely noticeable, but holy f**k does it hurt. No, hurt is not the right word. It f*****g burns. It burns like someone is sticking a flaming hot iron into my freezing cold, exposed skin. The pain is excruciating, and I scream out in pain again as tears well up in my eyes.

Zack moves behind me and supports my thrashing body. Mentally I tell myself to breathe through the pain like a pregnant woman would breathe through a contraction.

It might have worked except for the fact that the pain coursing through my body did not let up. It is one never-ending, earth-shattering, wave of pain. I screamed and cried for what felt like hours. I screamed until my voice was almost non-existent and my body was drenched in sweat. Zack held me the entire time.

 I don't know how much time had passed, but finally I was able to focus on Zack again instead of just the pain. I still felt like I was burning alive, but the heat was slightly less. Just enough for my brain to form a question.

"Is it almost over?" I ask Zack in a whimper. The words come out scratchy and barely audible, but when Zack answers I know he heard me.

His voice is strained and there are tears in his own eyes when he replies, "The chemical part of the transformation is almost over. Soon your body will begin the physical part of the transition. The pain will be worse, but it will come in waves as each bone breaks, then heals into its new form. During this phase it is extremely important that you let the pain flow through you. Don't fight it. If you manage to hold on to anything I am telling you right now let it be that. Don't fight it. Let it change you. You will get through this." He places a soft kiss on the top of my head and continues to whisper soft words of encouragement.

I let out a blood curdling scream as my right leg snaps. Once from its original human anatomy and then again into its canine anatomy. It was quick and excruciating. I take several deep breaths, remembering Zack's words to let the pain flow through me. I brace myself for the next round of pain.

This time the pain erupts in my left leg.

Snap...! Scream. Pop...! Scream. Done.

One after another each of my bones break, and I scream into gritted teeth.

I find myself laying on the damp earth, unsure of how I got there, breathing heavily, body exhausted. I don't open my eyes; afraid the action will consume the last bit of energy I have. I can't help but worry that if this doesn't end soon, I might not make it through. I had promised Jules I would not die, but at this point I felt like I already had.

"Baby girl?" I hear Zack ask, but I am too wore out to answer. I manage a whimper, just to let him know I am still alive.

"Baby girl, it's over. " He says, and I feel his hand on top of my head. I lean into it; sure that I had heard him wrong, but not having the energy to ask.

We stay like that for a while. Zack running his hand through my hair. I wait and wait for the next round of pain. The more time that passes the steadier my breathing becomes. My body begins to recovers slightly.

Maybe it really is over; I think to myself.

Wait... if it is over does that mean...

I open my eyes expecting to find darkness, lit only by the soft candlelight. Instead, I find my eyes have adjusted to the darkness, and I can make out everything; just as I could if it were daylight. Shifting my body, I get to my feet in a stumbling, unsteady manner. No... Not feet... Paws. I look down shocked.

I turn towards where I had left Zack sitting when I got to my feet.

Shock took over again. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. His hair was out of place and his clothes wrinkled, but his features were sharper somehow. From his green eyes to his toned muscles everything about him was calling out for my attention. I turn my head this way and that, taking him in.

It is unfair how he manages to be so good looking all the damn time. I think to myself, while he smiles back at me.

"Your wolf is beautiful baby girl. Let me show you." He says, walking toward the tree line.

I attempt to follow him and trip over my feet slightly, before getting the hang of my new form.

I follow Zack just a few feet into the tree line where he has a large mirror leaning against a tree trunk, and a few candles on either side.

I take a deep breath and step in front of it.

My fur matches the black hair I have in my human form, but my wolf eyes are something else entirely. In my human form my eyes are a light chocolate, basically mud, brown. They are a dark caramel even on their best day. The eyes looking back at me now are blue, like the sky after a winter snow, and seem to hold a light of their own. They glow back at me while I stare. I can't help but turn my head this way and that. Making sure the image in the mirror is really me.

My thoughts drift back to when I had seen Zack's wolf for the first time. His eyes had been the same. That is one of the main reasons I knew it was him; why I trusted that he was my friend and lover in another form. Yet here I stood looking into eyes that were not my own. They looked where I looked and blinked when I blinked but they... they were bright...and magical... and well, nothing like the eyes I saw in my bathroom mirror every morning. 

 "They mean you're an alpha female." Zack says.

I look at him questioningly.

"Your wolfs blue eyes I mean." He clarifies, gesturing towards the mirror before continuing, "When a human woman takes their wolf form their eyes will change to blue if they possess the authority of an alpha female." Zack finishes.

Alpha female. It made little to no sense. I know nothing about leading, or being a wolf for that matter. I hear movement in the woods. My ears perk up trying to make out exactly where the sound is coming from. Zoning in on the noise, I turn to my right. A beautiful blond wolf joins us. I know instantly that it's Jules. If her blond fur wouldn't have given her away, her demeanor would have. She was jumping around, making all kinds of ruckus that I took as excitement. I ran over to her. We sniffed each other and began nipping at each other. Hopping around playfully.

We turn our attention to Zack, who has started undressing, preparing to shift as well. When he stands completely bare in front of us, Jules's wolf bumps my shoulder, and raises her brows with a head jerk towards our lover. I can't help but growl approvingly at his naked physique.

Zack gives us a smirk, reading our horny wolf minds, before crouching down. His shift is quick and smooth. I feel a tinge of jealousy at how easy it was for him. What took me hours of agonizing pain took him five seconds of slight discomfort. Shaking my head, I make my way over to him taking in his wolf with my new senses. We circle each other and Jules joins us. Sight... Smell... Hearing... Touch... All enhanced and homed in on the two wolves that have taken me into their pack.

Jules takes off into the woods and I follow her, Zack right on my heels. The run is exhilarating as I follow Jules higher and higher up the mountain. Weaving through the trees, feeling the leaves crunch beneath my paws, the wind in my fur, and the smell of the crisp night air sending adrenaline pumping through my veins. I push myself harder until I am keeping pace with Jules, and I smile at her before she winks at me, then changes direction unexpectedly. Skidding to a stop, I turn to follow, flooring it again. I catch back up to her in no time and bump her playfully. She bumps me back a little harder, causing us both to lose our footing. We tumble over each other until we come to a stop with me pinning her to the ground. Feeling myself a bit, I lift my head, and let out a small victorious howl.  

I say small, because my victory cry was cut short when I was knocked off of Jules. Distracted by our game of tag I forgot about Zack, who now had me pinned to the ground; just as I had Jules a moment before. The vibrating in his chest told me he was laughing at me and I couldn't blame him. Zack lets out his own victory howl, before letting me up.

I get to my feet, shaking the dirt and leaves from my fur. Zack is sitting nearby with a satisfied grin, and I notice Jules is nowhere in sight. Giving Zack a questioning look he simply jesters back at me. I think for a minute before I understand.

Our game of tag has just become a game of hide and seek.

Knowing I could no longer see Jules I close my eyes and focus on my other senses. I can still smell Jules's scent of wildflowers and fresh rain. I focus harder and my ears vaguely pick up the sound of paws connecting with the forest floor. She has a decent head start.

Smiling at the challenge, I take off again; following her scent and using my ears to gage the distance between us. I push my wolf form faster until the sound of her running stops. I slow my pace, following her scent still, but listening for a different sound entirely. That head start would do her no good if I can hear her heavy breathing. I smile. Proud of my wolf instincts.

Holding my breath so she can't hear me coming, I creep up around a large tree trunk, and over a large bolder; careful not to make a sound with my footsteps. The other side of the bolder offers a small overhang for protection, but I can hear her breathing, so I know she is there. If I can smell her, she can smell me, so I jump down before she can run again. She is a little shocked by my sudden appearance but doesn't attempt to run again. I let out a howl, this time looking right at Zack. He joins in and so does Jules.

Zack rubs his body against mine and I revel in the way he feels against me. Jules walks right between us breaking the contact and earning her an annoyed look from Zack, before gesturing for us to continue following her. 

The trees thin and Jules leads us out to a small, secluded lake.

The view is picturesque.

I find myself in aww of this place for the second time in twenty-four hours. This high in the mountains there is patches of snow here and there. The lake is beautiful, and I have worked up a thirst with all that running. I join Jules at the water’s edge and lean my face down, taking a long sip. The water is ice cold and quenches my thirst wonderfully.  We lay near the lake for some time just resting and enjoying each other’s company.

I could get use to this; I thought before I drifted off to sleep. 

                                                                                             ******

When I wake, the sun is shining. I look around to find Zack sleeping next to me and Jules is drinking from the lake a few feet away. I look down at the two black paws my head had been resting on.

'I am an actual f*****g wolf.' I think to myself.

"Not just any wolf either. An Alpha." I hear Jules’s proud voice in my head.

I look at her completely confused.

"We can communicate with other wolves when we are in wolf form." She answers my question.

"Why didn't you guys tell me that last night?" I ask, thinking about all the growling and jesters.

"Your mind, body, and even your soul went through a lot last night. Usually, a new wolf cannot communicate telepathically until there second shift." She answers.

I get up from my place next to Zack and join Jules at the lake side.

Looking at my reflection in the smooth surface of the water I ask, "So, I can hear you because I am an Alpha?"

"Yes, and no." Jules replies. "Usually even an Alpha must wait until their second shift. However, when it comes to you, the usual rules don't seem to apply."

Silence falls between us while I process.

"And Skye?" Jules adds.

"Yes?" I answer.

"Thanks for not dying." She leans in and rests her head against mine.

"Not to break up this beautiful moment, but I am starved." Zack says from behind us.

"Good morning to you too sleeping beauty." I say to him.

Zack joins us at the water’s edge and takes a moment to rub his body all over each of ours. Loving the way he feels against me I lean into him, taking in his scent. He smells like vanilla and bourbon and it instantly makes my new wolf girl parts tighten with arousal.

"Baby girl..." Zack says, and he lets out a frustrated growl; laced with lust.

"Come on you two. Food now. s*x later." Jules says, and I break away from Zack in embarrassment.

I have never been able to control my hormones around Zack, and it appears that becoming a wolf only made it worse.

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me." I answer.

"You have no reason to be sorry girl. I know exactly what his scent can do to a girl, but there is more to mating in wolf form that we should talk about. You being an Alpha and all. Plus, Zack mentioned food and now... I... am starved. Food now, s*x later." Jules replies.

Everything Jules was saying made sense, but the smell of Zack's own arousal hit me, and I couldn't help but turn my attention back to him. Turned on more than I think I have ever been in my life; I rub my ass against Zack.

"I hate it when you're right." Zack grumbles to Jules, and slowly moves away from me. "Listen Skye.... We can't mate in wolf form, at least not yet." He finishes.

Not sure why I was getting angry I growl at Zack, moving towards him again. I wanted to mate, and who was he to turn me down. He had practically been jumping my bones since we met. Granted, I did a fair share of jumping his bones also, but that's beside the point. I circle him, taking in long whiffs of his arousal laced scent.

The next thing I know we are both being sent rolling into the ice-cold lake water.

"What the f**k!?" I ask, while Zack simultaneously yells, "Seriously?"

Zack gains his baring's faster than I do. "You couldn't have found a better way to diffuse the situation Jules?!"

"I tried nice words, and common sense first." Jules defends herself and shrugs her shoulders.

I climb out of the water and shake off. "What just happened?" I ask them.

"Sorry for the cold dip Skye, but what you just felt was the mating haze. We can talk more about it later, but for the sake of not getting you two excited again, let’s wait until we shift back." Jules answers.

"Okay, lets head back." I reply.

Jules takes off into the forest, and Zack and I follow.