20. I had shifted
Lucy
I had shifted. I looked up at Matt and Tony, but before I could see the expressions on their faces, hy shifted into their wolf forms. Tony, I think, came towards me and nuzzled me.
You did well.
I shuddered, hearing his voice in my mind. I moved my feet, looking down at my white paws. The whole forest seemed closer and bigger at the same time.
Matt nudged me. Let’s go for a run.
I wasn’t too sure about that, but Tony took the lead, walking slowly. I followed him, trying to get used to having four legs instead of two. Matt laughed.
Relax, he said and nuzzled me. He let out a low rumbling sound. You’re thinking too hard.
I tried to relax, but it was awkward. I wasn’t sure if I would ever fully get used to having four legs, but Tony was patient with me, walking slowly until it seemed I was getting used to it. Then, he picked up the pace, careful to trot just fast enough that Matt was just behind me, and I never lost sight of him.
I smelled something. My stomach rumbled. I turned and shot off in that direction.
Lucy, wait!
I couldn’t stop myself. In just a few moments, I had landed on something. Something alive with a fast heartbeat. Tony arrived a second before I opened my mouth to eat it while it was still squirming beneath my paw. Tony nudged me back and away, whatever it was darted into the woods.
I wanted to chase after it, but Tony held me in place.
You’re not ready for that. Calm down.
His voice was gentle as he nudged me, rubbing his head against mine.
Calm down.
All the energy seemed to drain out of me. I sat down and slumped. I was a little dizzy and hungry too.
Matt laughed. Well, looks like she has a strong hunting instinct.
Tony chuckled. When we’re sure that you can stomach it, we’ll go hunting. I don’t want your first kill to be when you’re not sure what you’re doing.
My heart lurched. Kill?
I shuddered and backed away from the spot where I had pounced on whatever it was.
That little rabbit is lucky, Matt said. A second later, and it would’ve been dinner.
Tony shifted back into his human form. “Let’s head back. You’re probably about ready to pass out.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but I followed him back to the clearing we had been in. Matt shifted back and slid into his clothes. I looked at them both, and they looked at each other.
“Remember when I said you should think about yourself as a wolf?”
I nodded.
“Now, you need to think of yourself as a human.” Tony crouched in front of me, cupping my jaw and rubbing just behind my ears. I shivered at the ticklish feeling.
“Just relax and remember what it feels like to be human,” he said. “Remember what it feels like to kiss us and be skin to skin.”
I closed my eyes, trying to focus on his words. I wasn’t sure that I was doing it or if it was helping but I felt the moment his hands were stroking through my hair and across my skin rather than through my fur.
I blinked at him, dreamily and sleepily, before slumping forward. Then, everything went black.
I woke up and ate way more than I usually would. Tony seemed happy about it and kept refilling my plate.
“You have such an appetite today,” Matt teased. “Pretty soon, you’ll be a healthy weight!”
Tony shook his head. “Stop teasing her.”
He looked at me. “Will you be alright alone again today? I’m sure you’re getting pretty bored wandering around by yourself. I could let Matt stay.”
Matt took my head. “She needs my company desperately.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be okay. I was going to hang out in the kitchens and talk to people.”
Tony smiled. “Listening to our nanny tell you all the times we ate all the food in the fridge after a midnight run?”
“Running naked through the house to avoid baths?” Matt laughed.
I shook my head. “She was… telling me about the forest and her grandkids.”
Tony blinked and then smiled. “They also run naked through the house at any opportunity.”
I found out about an hour after they were gone that they weren’t kidding. I had never been around small children since I was a small child, so I wasn’t expecting the little boy to go running past trailing soap suds and water down the hallway.
“Get back here!” She cried, chasing after him.
She ran after him past me, and I laughed and headed down the hallway when someone shoved me aside.
“Half breed.”
I stiffened as the woman passed me and headed out the side. I blinked. I didn’t recognize her at all, but she sounded so angry.
“What is the Moon Goddess thinking?” Someone asked nearby. I turned and realized that the woman had joined a small group of people. “A hybrid for our luna?”
The man shook his head. “I can’t tell what this means for Blue Moon. We’re already barely holding our ground with the other packs, but now everyone knows we’ve only got half a werewolf for a luna. No one’s going to respect her.”
I blinked, and the woman turned back to look at me. She scanned me with a dismissive look on her face.
“Hopefully, they’ll come to their senses and get us a real luna soon. We can’t afford to look weak. She doesn’t even look like she’d be their type, but I guess they don’t have to worry too much.” She sneered at me. “As if the Goddess would really make their mate a hybrid. I don’t buy it. We’ll be having another luna ceremony within the year.”
I dropped my gaze and turned away.
“By the goddess, a spineless hybrid? We’re going to be the laughingstock of packs for years… I might as well see if any other packs are willing to take me in.”
I clenched my jaw as my eyes burned with tears. I left and headed back to my room to be alone as I cried.
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