Chapter 5 The first shift

• A few moments later, I was standing on all fours, my white fur shimmering under the moonlight. I took a deep breath and lifted my head proudly.
• My friends and family turned around and gasped.
• “She is white.” Luna Gloria said.
• I looked at her and cocked my wolf head. Is that something special?
• ‘We are a pure white wolf, Emma. Nobody is a pure white wolf.’ Eliza said.
• ‘What do you mean?’ I asked her. ‘There are white wolves. I have seen them before.’
• ‘Yes. But none of them are pure white.’ She said proudly. ‘They all have a spot in a different color, or their paws are different. We are all white.’
• “What does that mean?” Amy asked quietly.
• “I don’t know.” my brother said, not taking his eyes off of my wolf. “But she is beautiful.”
• “She is.” Jacob said quietly.
• I looked at him and immediately felt disappointed. No sparks. No connection. He is not my mate.
• ‘We are not his.’ Eliza said. ‘We belong to somebody else.’
• ‘What do you mean, Eliza?’ I asked, surprised. ‘Do you know who our mate is?’
• ‘I do.’ She said. ‘You will know soon.’
• ‘Who is he?’ I asked. ‘How do you know?’
• It isn’t common for a wolf to know who his or hers mate is. They only know when they see them. But not before. What is going on?
• ‘I am not talking to you about it.’ Eliza said. ‘Now, stop thinking about this and focus on your friends and family. Andrew is trying to mind-link you.’
• I pulled my focus away from our conversation and focused on my brother’s voice inside my head. Now that I shifted, I can mind-link the entire pack.
• Emma? He called me. Emma, can you hear me?
• Yes. I responded. Sorry, I was talking to Eliza.
• You are beautiful, Emma. He said proudly. Do you want to go for a run?
• Yes! I said with excitement in my voice.
• My brother told the rest of the group to shift, and we all went for a run. Eliza met all the wolves, and I could tell she loved them all. And they loved her. Especially Asher. He was attentive and careful with Eliza, just like Andrew is with me.
• When I had enough, I mind-linked Andrew to tell him to go back. All the excitement and nervousness got to me, and I was tired.
• We got back to the clearing and took our clothes into our mouths. We all went behind a tree to shift and change.
• Shifting back hurt as well, but not like the first time.
• ‘Each time we do this, it will be easier.’ Eliza said. ‘After a while, it won’t hurt at all.’
• I walked back to the clearing, and my friends and family were already there. They hugged me and gave me a lot of kisses. They are proud of me and happy that I finally have my wolf. Nobody mentioned that I am a pure white again, so I just decided to forget about it. It is nothing special. I am nothing special.
• Luna Gloria left first. We stayed at the clearing for a while, just chatting and laughing. After a few minutes, we started walking back.
• Jacob walked beside me, and Andrew and Amy were in front of us.
• “So, we are not mates.” he said with sadness in his voice.
• “I guess not.” I responded, not looking up at him.
• “That doesn’t mean we can’t be.” he said. “I would choose you as my mate. I love you, Emma.”
• I looked up at him, surprised. But before I could say anything, my brother interfered.
• “Jacob, no.” he said strictly. “At least not yet. I know you love my sister, but she is only 18 and there is a chance she will meet her true mate. If she doesn’t in a few years, and if you don’t find your mate by then, you can make her your chosen mate. If she wants to get a chosen mate. But not before she has had a chance to find her true mate.”
• I looked between Andrew and Jacob.
• Jacob wanted to fight, but he knew my brother was right. I love Jake, but I deserve a chance to find my true mate.
• After a few seconds of Andrew and Jake just glaring at each other, Jacob nodded and lowered his head.
• “You are right.” he said quietly. “But I will wait for her.”
• “I am sorry, Jake.” I said and took his hand in mine.
• “You have nothing to be sorry about.” he said and gave me a small smile.
• Amy was quiet the whole time, but I could tell she was sad. She really hoped Jake and I would be mates.
• We continued our walk through the forest, and soon we were back at our house. Jake and Amy said their goodbyes and went home.
• Andrew and I went back inside the house, and I looked at my watch. It was 10 pm.
• “Hey, do you want to watch another movie? It is not too late.” Andrew asked and took my jacket to put it away.
• “I would, but I am so tired.” I said.
• He smiled. “Yeah. The first shift will do that to you.”
• “I will just go to bed.” I said. “Thank you for today. I loved it.”
• “I loved it too, little one.” he said with a big smile. “Asher and I love your wolf.”
• “We love you too.” I said and smiled.
• I walked upstairs, and Andrew went to the living room.
• I hopped in the shower and put on my pajamas. I got under the covers and closed my eyes immediately.
• I don’t think I slept long when I was awoken by a loud knock on our front door.