by C. Sunrise
She dishes on life with Jay and how much she really cares about him. It doesn’t escape me how her eyes twinkle when she talks about him. She even suggested that he might be the last man she brings home after a wild night out, which is basically Bel’s way of saying she would marry that boy in a heartbeat.
It’s like old times hanging around with Bel and it felt fantastic to have my best friend back in my life.
TWENTY-SEVEN
The next week and a half go by fast. I train with Kace and the Aze Team almost every day. Craze and Laze weren’t overly excited about being my sparring partners after our first session when I handed their asses to them. Laze was only unconscious for a few minutes, so I don’t know why he’s making such a big deal out of it. That’s what they get for underestimating me. It also helps that Blaze taught me how to use my senses to improve my ability to read other people’s next moves, and Kace taught me how to harness my beast’s power, speed, and agility when fighting. I still haven’t taken Blaze and Kace down, but I’m getting close. They know exactly which buttons to push to distract me—what they don’t realize is I’ve been working on that skill myself and can’t wait to use it to my advantage.
I’ve also learned to somewhat control my random potty-mouth outbursts. That was especially helpful when I returned to work. Speaking of work, it was great to see the animals happy to see me again. In fact, they seem more comfortable around me than ever before.
I haven’t shifted again yet, not that I haven’t wanted to. I’ve been driving everyone crazy begging to do it, but they don’t think I’m ready yet. So, we made a deal that it would be up to my parents when they return, which just so happens to be today. Now I have one more reason to be excited to see them again.
Just as I place the cutlery on the kitchen table for the brunch I prepared for us, my parents walk in the front door. I run out to the living room and greet them with a hug, nearly knocking the wind out of them with my aggressive approach. Another thing that has improved with my training is my clumsiness. This may have been the first time in my life that the damn fluffy rug didn’t take me down. Rug: 1,230,335 Whoopsie: 1.
“Good to see you too,” Papa chokes out between coughs, and Momma and I chuckle.
“Wow, look how tanned you are!” I reach over and grab Momma’s luggage to take it upstairs. “You both look great.”
“I know,” Momma says, striking a pose and making me giggle. “Oh, Kitten, it was the best trip ever. We saw so many beautiful things. I even swam with sharks! And Papa managed to forget about work every once in a while.”
“Especially after you threw my phone in the ocean,” Papa grumbles as he walks past me taking his bags up to their room.
I look back at Momma, who shrugs innocently. I shake my head and we both chuckle.
“I’ll take these up to your room,” I say, nodding at the bags in my hands. “Why don’t you head into the kitchen. I made us some food.”
Momma nods and walks to the kitchen while I take her bags up to their room. Papa waits for me upstairs and we walk down to the kitchen together, laughing about the ridiculous antics Momma pulled at the airport to get them free upgrades to first-class seats.
As we eat, they tell me all about their trip. Momma shows me pictures on her phone and Papa grumbles again about how he couldn’t take pictures because his phone is sitting at the bottom of the ocean somewhere. It sounds like they had a wonderful time and I’m happy they went. I can’t recall a time in my life when Momma was this happy and full of life. This is way beyond her usual bubbliness. I guess that’s what happens when you get to live out one of your lifelong dreams.
After they finish telling stories, they ask me how things were around here. I don’t give them any sign of how bad I truly felt while they were away, and based on their expressions, Percy didn’t either. I choose to be honest with them, or at least somewhat honest, and let them know that I struggled a bit off the start but that I’ve recently been feeling great. I explained how everyone has been helping me learn how to control my beast.
“Have you shifted?” Papa asks and I respond with a strange shrieking sound, causing both of them to look at me like I have finally lost my mind.
“Sorry. Yes!” I exclaim. “Not to brag or anything, but my beast is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
I describe my shift, leaving out the specific details as to why I shifted, or Papa would probably kill Kace and Blaze before I finish my story. I also describe my beast based on what I saw of it in the water and Kace’s and Blaze’s descriptions.
“They wouldn’t let me shift again.” I huff, sticking out my lower lip as I cross my arms over my chest. “They said I had to wait until you came home. Do you have any idea how hard that has been?” I wave my hands in the air for dramatic effect, making my parents snicker.
“Well then,” Papa says with a gleam in his eye. “I guess you’d better shift then.”
I almost passed out from his words—the words I’ve been waiting to hear for days but felt like years. I run to the bathroom and grab a towel, so I don’t have to stand their buck naked in front of my parents. They told me it’s something you get used to but I’m definitely not there yet. I meet my parents in the living room where there’s lots of room to shift and comfy seats for my audience. I explain that I might need them to guide me through it since I have only shifted once, and it was unintentional.
“You’ve got this,” Momma says as she squeezes my arm reassuringly.
They both take a seat on the couch and I stand in the middle of the room. Papa instructs me to close my eyes and think about my beast and try to visualize every detail of my beast from the last time I shifted. Remember how I smelt—which was easy to recall as it was an unflattering wet dog smell thanks to falling in the water. I imagine my beast is standing in the room in front of me.
Why couldn’t they have pissed me off first? That would have made things so much easier.
I wasn’t fortunate enough to not experience the pain of the shift this time. I felt the bones as they cracked, my flesh as it stretched, the fur as it pushed through my skin, my teeth as they pushed through my gums. It was freaking brutal and seemed to go on forever. Although in reality it probably still wasn’t as bad as one would assume it would be, considering the changes that were actually happening. I can see how this process gets quicker and less painful over time, especially as your mind adapts to and accepts what’s happening.
I open my eyes and look at my parents who are now standing in front of me, faces lit up with pride. Momma has tears in her eyes as she walks over and places her hands on either side of my face.
“You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” she purrs as she strokes the fur on my head.
Uh, yeah, I am.
Momma and Papa jump as my words permeate their minds.
Oh sorry, I forgot to mention that you can hear my thoughts. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how, but it happens. It’s kind of annoying sometimes, especially because I don’t know it’s happening. There are some thoughts I really don’t need anyone to hear, thank you very much.
My parents stand there wide-eyed as they listen to me ramble.
“Can you hear our thoughts?” Papa asks.
I’m not sure. I can feel other people’s emotions when their emotions are strong enough. Kind of like an Empath. I heard what I thought were other people’s thoughts but maybe they were just talking really quiet and that’s what I actually heard. Maybe it will work with you’re in beast mode Papa, since you are a Prime and all?
Momma raises an eyebrow and Papa nods thoughtfully.
“Well, how about I shift and test it out,” Papa says, causing me to bounce around excitedly, knocking a vase off a table with my tail. I drop my head and tail down and lay my ears back on my head. My parents chuckle and tell me it’s okay.
Papa goes to the bathroom to get undressed and put on a towel, recognizing my need for a little discretion. He returns to the room where I’m sitting o
n the floor in front of Momma, eagerly awaiting seeing Papa shift for the first time.
Papa’s a pro—he shifts faster than anyone else I’ve seen. He also doesn’t grimace when his teeth come in. In fact, he almost looks like he’s happy while shifting. Hopefully, he’ll teach me how to shift like that because the pain of shifting is quite the buzzkill.
In the blink of an eye, Papa has changed from the man I’ve known my entire life into a beautiful, gigantic white wolf. His wolf looks almost identical to mine, except he’s much larger and looks older than my wolf, who we have determined is an adolescent wolf. His wolf is in excellent shape and his thick coat doesn’t hide his impressive muscle tone. Based on his appearance, I don’t think Kace or Blaze would even be a match for this magnificent beast in front of me.
Go Papa! I think, bouncing with pride.
Why thank you. I try to keep in shape for your Momma. He replies.
I make that odd snarly-snorty laugh sound at his reply.
Well, I guess that answers our question. I can hear your thoughts and you can hear mine. Have you ever been able to do that before? I tilt my head as I await his reply.
No. I have never heard of anything like this. My family could project a single word to each other, but they were limited to basic commands. There have been others who have been able to communicate basic commands. But never anything more than that. He explains.
So, you’re saying that something in me makes it possible to communicate with each other? I puff my chest out at the thought of being the top dog, so to speak.
It would appear so. He says tilting his head to the side.
I turn and face Momma who is watching us with a quizzical look on her face, but I can’t hear her thoughts, only Papa’s.
Can you hear us, Momma?
She nods slowly.
I think you should shift and join us. There’s enough room in here for the three of us, you know. Besides, I want to see your beast! My tail wags excitedly in anticipation of her response.
She looks at Papa for a moment and then back at me before nodding. She stands up and heads to the bathroom. Moments later she comes back into the room wearing a towel and stands in front of me and Papa. She sighs and then crouches down to the ground.
Momma's shift took longer than Papa’s but it was almost as impressive. I don’t know why they shift better than everyone else, maybe it’s because they are older and have more experience.
The sight of Momma’s beast shocks me. She looks nothing like me and Papa, which shouldn’t really have surprised me because they told me that her beast is a large cat. I wasn’t expecting this though. Her features resemble a puma, with faded spots all over her shiny black coat. Her green eyes are swirling with mixtures of green and a hint of yellow. She later tells me that her family’s genes contain cougar (mountain lion) and jaguar and the black fur is a genetic condition known as melanism. This combination creates the most beautiful and intimidating wild cat I have ever seen.
You’re breath-taking Momma. I say, my beast’s mouth agape.
That’s exactly what I said the first time I saw her too. Papa beams at his mate.
Stop it or you’ll make a black cat blush. Momma purrs. Literally.
As I stand here admiring Momma and happy that I can communicate with both my parents when in beast form, an all too familiar pressure builds up in my eyes. I scrunch my forehead as a warm sensation fills my body. The next thing I know, I’m on the ground writhing in pain, presumably shifting back into my human form. I fight through the pain, which is slightly less than earlier, but still not a pleasant experience.
Seconds later, I open my eyes to find Momma and Papa staring at me in disbelief. I open my mouth to speak, and all that comes out is a growl.
Great. My first shifting fail. Probably going to be stuck as a wolf for the rest of my life now.
Uh, Kitten? You’re definitely not going to be stuck as a wolf for the rest of your life. In fact, you’re not even stuck as a wolf right now. Momma tilts her head slightly.
Then why can we still hear each other’s thoughts, but I can’t speak? Oh my god! Did everything shift back but my mouth?
Panic fills me and I bring my hand up to my face. I jump at the sight in front of me.
Not again.
This is the second time my hand startled me half to death. Last time it was my gorgeous furry wolf’s paw. This time it’s covered in shiny, black fur… like Mommas fur.
What the hell?! What the hell is going on? What happened to my hand? Why does it look like Momma’s paw?
Shasta, you need to shift and leave the room. Now! Momma commands, and Papa immediately obeys. Kitten, I need you to focus on me right now. Calm your breathing and look at me.
I feel like I’m going to pass out. Or go berserk and trash the entire room. It’s fifty-fifty at the moment. I glimpse my reflection in a large picture hanging on the wall, and I look exactly like Momma—only younger and slightly larger.
How is this possible? I ask, staring at my reflection in disbelief.
I don’t know, Kitten. But we need to shift back. Then we can talk about this. Okay?
Momma rubs her cheek against mine to calm me. She steps back and I slowly nod at her, keeping my eyes on my reflection as long as possible. Still not believing what I’m seeing.
Momma shifts within seconds and wraps the towel around her human form. She walks over and places her hand on my back, gently stroking the fur.
“Whoopsie, I need you to do what you did before when you shifted into your wolf, except this time you need to focus on your human form,” she instructs. “Do you understand?”
I nod and focus on images of my human body. That one is a lot easier to accomplish as I’ve seen my human form every day since I was born. Yes, it has changed over the years but fundamentally it’s the same and it used to be the only way I saw myself.
The shift goes easier than expected, at least compared to the last two shifts. Perhaps it’s because my emotions were running wild again, keeping my mind distracted from the pain. Once I’ve shifted, I wrap myself in my towel and Momma and I go change back into our clothes. We return to the living room where we find Papa awaiting our return.
“So, that was interesting,” I say sarcastically. “Is this some sort of new beast every shift kind of trick or am I all done with surprises?”
“You just seem to be one big bundle of surprises,” Papa says, nudging me with his elbow trying to lighten the mood. “But this is also something we’ve never heard of before, so we can’t say for sure. However, it makes sense that you would have those two beasts—one that takes after mine and one that takes after Momma.”
“You know, this could also explain why you’re attracting so much attention from the boys,” Momma says. “And why it’s not limited to one species.”
Papa and I nod slowly, processing Momma’s theory.
“Wolves and big cats are different, as you may know,” Momma explains. “Wolves are monogamous and pick one mate. Whereas big cats, like me and you, like to play the field more if you catch my drift.”
Papa lets out a low, threatening growl.
“Oh, calm down,” Momma says as she playfully smacks his arm. “How about you go make us some tea so your daughter and I can have a little girl talk.”
Papa growls lowly and mutters to himself as he heads to the kitchen.
“Wolves also get protective of their mates even when it doesn’t make any sense,” Momma says, nodding towards Papa and we chuckle. “Before I met Papa, I was quite the flirt. It was just the way of my family and our kind to be open to multiple mates. I didn’t sleep with anyone, but I definitely enjoyed the attention—as long as it was on my terms. There’s something about knowing you’re making the boys turn their heads that just makes you feel good. But I guess you would know all about that.” Momma chuckles and I blush.
“I’ll admit, sometimes it’s nice having the attention,” I nod, suppressing a smile. “And sometimes it’s annoying as hell.”
>
We laugh and share stories of our suitors. It’s interesting hearing this side of Momma and strange to think about her growing up in a household where sex and relationships have a different meaning than the monogamous world they raised me in. Although, most of my shifter friends aren’t particularly shy about random hook-ups, so maybe they are only monogamous once they’ve found their mates. We discuss the possibility of monogamy being closely linked to the strength of the wolf genes, meaning purebred wolves would have a stronger pull towards their mate than those that are wolf-dog hybrids.
It’s a relief to know there could be a biological reason for me throwing myself at both Kace and Blaze, not to mention my openness to flirting with almost every other shifter I meet. I tell Momma about how close I’ve gotten to Kace and Blaze and that they’ve both confessed their love to me and almost murdered each other out of jealousy. She’s thoroughly amused with my stories and tells me she’s proud of the woman I’ve become. Having your mother proud of you bouncing between two guys isn’t exactly something you expect to hear. Then again, nothing I hear lately is what I would have expected to hear.
Papa eventually joins us back in the living room, bringing tea with him. I suspect he was listening in on our conversation as he doesn’t enter the room until we were done discussing our romantic lives, and he does so with a scowl on his face. He sits down beside Momma, and she places her hand on his thigh, immediately relaxing Papa.
“Why does touch have such an impact on shifters?” I ask, watching Papa melt under Mommas touch.
“I’m not sure.” Momma shrugs slightly. “Maybe because it’s a universal form of communication that can be used by all species of shifters. It’s also one of the earliest forms of communication.”
“It’s also less likely to be lost than the other senses,” Papa says as he places his hand on Momma’s, intertwining their fingers. He brings their hands to his lips, kissing Momma’s gently before placing their hands back on his thigh. “You’re more likely to lose your ability to see, speak, hear, or taste whether you’re a human or animal.”