THREE MONTHS BACK TO THE PAST. AS IF THE PAST THREE MONTHS NEVER HAPPENED.

ANNALISE 

“Rise and shine, sweetheart. Today marks your sixteenth birthday and you know what that means.”

“That I should be able to stay in bed for once, so I can conserve my energy for my transformation into my wolf.” I grumble.

“It’s almost noon. We have much to do to get you ready for your party.”

“News flash mom, I don’t have many friends, so it won't be a big gathering. On my end, anyway.”

Groaning, I clutch my pillow and bury my head underneath it. Hoping my mother would leave me alone.

“You aren’t the only one expected to shift tonight, sweetheart. Several families are coming to celebrate their children’s first shift. It is of the utmost importance that you assist me in preparing for tonight.”

“Jarek didn’t help you get ready for his, Xillon’s and Zane’s shift. In fact, they all disappeared until the moment arrived for them to shift. So why should my transformation party be any different?”

“You caught me red-handed. You’re my daughter. I have already prepared everything. I want to take you out. Get all dolled up and maybe buy some new clothes. We should take time together, just you and me, baby.”

“What happens if I shift earlier than planned? That has happened before, you understand. Pointing out, because no one is sure of what time I was born. Hell, they did not even leave me with a name. Is today really my actual birthday? As far as we are aware, my birthday may not be until tomorrow.”

“I’m finished with this conversation, Annalise. Wake up and get ready.” My mother says in her commanding, don’t say another word voice, that I know best not to go against. She’s scarier than my father, and he’s the freaking Alpha for christ sakes.

Once I hear my door slam, I toss my pillow off the side of the bed and rub my lids as I rise. I should be more excited to have my first shift, but I’m not. I wish I could strangle my wolf’s neck for making me be born a freak with Elven ears and eyes that transition from sky-blue to gold, then silver. Why couldn’t she have made an appearance from the get go?

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stand and advance towards my walk-in closet, flip the switch for the light to come on, and sigh. Mom wants me to dress like a proper young woman for the day, but I have only two dresses, and they make me look as if I’m going to a damn funeral. Glaring at my vast array of black shorts and shirts, I rummage around for something brighter and more cheerful to wear. There isn’t much to choose from. So I decide on a green spaghetti strap shirt with cream daisies splashed over the surface that my mom purchased for me, and some ivory shorts she acquired to accompany the shirt. I arranged the garments on my bed and make my way to my ensuite bathroom.

After shutting my door as quietly as I could, I glance up and down the hall and release a sigh of relief that my brother Jarek and his group were still asleep or had gone for the day. Gazing in disbelief that they are still sleeping, I carefully pad my way to the stairs. Almost there and certain that I was going to escape, Jarek stepped out of Zane’s room, a few rooms away from mine, and pinned me to the wall.

“Hum, the freak thinks putting on some flowery shit is going to make her normal.”

“I’m not in the mood for your crap today, Jarek. Step away before I shatter those hands you have pinning me in place against my will.” I grumble and attempt to push him off of me.

“I’d like to see you give it a go weakling.”

Glaring at Xillon and Zane as they walk out of Zane’s room. Chuckling at the sight before them, I slam my heel on Jarek’s bare foot. He releases me and groans in agony. As I sprinted towards the stairs, Zane kicked my feet out from under me, causing me to fall face first moments before I reached the landing. Wincing in pain, I glare at the asshole who just tripped me.

“What? You think you can get away with that so easily, Silver?”

Zane pulls me up from the ground and shoves me back up against the wall.

“Dude, get a move on. She’s not worth it. We have more important things to do.” Xillon says as he yanks Zane off of me and pushes him towards the stairs. “Jarek, quit your shit and come on. Xavier is itching for a run.” He says, and Jarek glares at me as he follows Xillon and Zane.

Suppose it was too much to ask to catch the smallest of breaks and not encounter those three assholes for a day? Punching the wall, I go on about my day.

“I knew you would look good in that outfit, sweet girl. So, instead of shopping, what do you say about having a celebratory lunch? Subsequently, we shall be able to return and unwind.”

My stomach growls so loud I’m sure every wolf in the pack could hear and I bite my bottom lip to keep myself from smiling.

“Okay, then. Let’s get move on, the day is waisting away.”

Mom escorted me to a superb steak-house within the pack’s territory. It's possible that someday after I transform, I’ll become ordinary and my parents will take me to the human world. Certainly my ears and eyes ought to cease protruding and flickering different shades once I’ve shifted. If not, Selene and I are going to have a talk. Halfway through devouring the savory steak and shrimp I ordered, I began feeling feverish and queasy. Setting my fork down, I grab my sweet tea and chug the rest of its contents.

“Are you okay?” She inquires with concern.

“I just began to feel off all of a sudden. Drinking something helped, though.”

Mom motions with her hand in the air to flag our waiter down and reaches across with the other to clutch one of mine.

“It could be that you will be amongst the select few that shift early. We must rush you home and call Cadance to come monitor you.”

“No, momma. I’m sure I was just parched. As I mentioned, I feel better now that I’ve had something to drink.” I said with a smile while thrusting a mouthful of steak into my mouth.

“Nonetheless, we must be cautious. We’ll get a box to go and bring our food home with us.”

Mom’s eyes glaze over, so I realize she must be sending a mind link to someone. Most likely dad, to keep him updated on what’s happening with me. Though, I feel she’s jumping the gun.

“Your father is attempting to have Jarek and the boy’s ready the transformation dungeon for you, as a precaution. It would be beneficial to have everything prepped as a precaution for the other girls and boys who are due to shift tonight as well.”

“It would be preferable if you and I did that, mom. Jarek couldn't care less about my first shift. If it weren’t for the others, I’d propose going to the forest. Wouldn't that be a preferable idea? I mean, really mom. The dungeon leads to the woods, anyway. What’s the point of relocating indoors, merely to have your wolf take over and pursue the first creature it spots to devour? It all seems a bit mundane, if you ask me.”

“The packs nurse and doctors must be there to intervene in the event that a transformation doesn’t proceed as planned. There is a method to all the madness, baby girl. I have a feeling that your first shift won’t progress easily. A sixth sense, I suppose.”

“That’s all very reassuring, thanks mom.” I say, rolling my eyes. “You’re probably right, though, knowing my luck. Is it too much to ask to be normal? I just want to get this night over with. If something happens and I die, then so be it.”

The sad look on my mother’s face makes me aspire to crawl into a hole and hide.

JAREK 

My father has already stated that he plans to induct Silver as an Alpha female, even though she was not born of Alpha blood. The thought has me wanting to burn this dungeon to the ground. Without Xillon and Zane's siblings being due to shift and my fear of my mother, I wouldn't trouble with tidying up this place and taking out the ceremonial robes and other ritualistic items that are necessary after a shifter shift's for the first time.

Once transformed, the werewolf hunts for prey, then returns to the dungeon to drink the Alpha’s essence to gain mind link capabilities, as well as their roles within the pack. Silver was not born of alpha blood, therefore has no right to take on the role. Silver should be inducted as an Omega, if nothing more than that. To me, she’s lower down on the totem pole. All I can wish for now is that her mate finds her once she turns eighteen and takes her far away from here. She’ll turn eighteen a month before my nineteenth birthday, so she could meet her destined mate at my inaugural ball. Seems how all wolf shifters who are of age are to attend my coronation ball. One could only desire that her predestined partner would be in attendance.

“That’s as good as it gets, guys. Let’s get out of here.”

‘Maximilian! Jarek! Cadance! Come right away and lend me a hand! Annalise is about to shift. I need assistance getting her from the vehicle and to the ceremony dungeon. She’s unconscious and having a seizure.’ My mom sends through the mind link.

‘Silver is shifting ahead of schedule. Get your asses here, NOW!’ I mind link Xillon and Zane and take off, sprinting out of my room and down the stairs.

Halting as I reach the hood of the car, my heart pounds a mile a minute.

‘Don’t just stand there, dumbass. Help your mother, like she asked. If anything bad happens to her, I’ll blame you.’ Trex chastises me, and I spring into action.

I Thrust the door open and pull Silver from the vehicle. Her body instantly goes still and I can’t detect a heartbeat. I sprint down the two flights of stairs to get to the ceremony chamber, put her on a stretcher, and start compressions to her heart.

“I hate you, but I don’t want you going out like this, damn it.” I growl as I pump into her chest. “Shift into your wolf, damn it!”

Xillon, Zane, Mother, Father and Cadance run into the room. Cadance forces me out of the way and injects Silver with some kind of solution and starts pumping her chest.

“Alpha, she’s burning up. The transformation will begin soon. She still has no heartbeat. Try to reach her wolf through the mind link, sir.” Cadance says as she continues compressing Silver’s chest.

Out of nowhere, Silver’s eyes burst open, and she jumps from the stretcher. She lands on all fours on the ground and glares at me before she screams as her bones break and she begins her transformation.

'Trex, what the fuck is that supposed to be?’

'Mate! Must have my mate! Mine!’