The run

Every wolf, 16 years or older, gathered in front of the packhouse. The older teenages, 14 and 15 years old, take care of the younger ones. Luna Avery takes the floor and starts her speech.

“Dear family. We gathered here tonight, to celebrate the sixteenth birthday of a packmember, my son Adam. Not only is he a member of our pack, he’s gonna be your future Alpha as well! Use this moment to not only celebrate his adulthood, but enjoy the run too. Make contact with each other, have conversations and don’t forget to have fun. Adam..” Avery looks back at Adam, “...are you ready to lead this run?”

I nod. “Yes, Luna, I am.”

“We are ready, when you are.” mom says to me.

I’m glad I changed in my comfy clothes. I’m a bit embarrassed to take them off in public. I’ll rip them apart when I shift, I don’t care. I try to make contact with Ace, I haven’t felt him this entire day. A bit strange though.

*Ace, you there? I can’t do this alone, are you ready?*

Silence.

*Ace??*

I look at mom and mindlink her. I’m starting to panic at this point.

*Mom, Ace isn’t responding. What should I do? I can’t do this without him...*

*Have you contacted with him earlier today, darling?*

*No, I haven’t felt him yet. Why?*

*Oh dear, that’s not good.*

*MOM! What are you talking about?*

The crowd starts to whisper. They’re wondering what’s happening right now. Luna Avery looks over the adults and says with a stern voice: “SILENCE, everyone! Adam needs to focus. Maybe you didn’t know, but he only shifted once before this day. We can all remember our first year of shifting, right? It’s not that easy. Especially not in front of a big crowd like this.”

They all look down at their feet, knowing that Luna is right. Some of them have a shocked look on their faces: hearing that their future Alpha only shifted once.

I try to mindlink to mom again, but she’s linking me first:

*Adam, normally your wolf will contact you the moment you wake up on your 16th birthday. To celebrate, and make your bond stronger. I’ve told you about the mate-thing this afternoon, right? Your wolf is feeling restless too. Some wolves feel it stronger than others and can be lost in pain. Because their senses are more developed than ours, they can feel it more intense too. I think Ace feels alone, not be able to adjust and accept this new kind of feeling.*

*But, mom? What should I do?*

*Follow your heart, you’re connected to his. He’s still there.*

I try to focus on my feelings. The restless feeling I felt all day is still there. I embrace them, just like mom said my wolf needs to do. I hope, this helps him to do the same. I breathe through my nose, the restless feeling is getting worse. It’s starting to hurt. It hurts in my heart. Is this what Ace is feeling, all day? I wonder. I can understand he feels alone.

*Ace? I’m here for ya buddy. I’m sorry I didn’t contact you this day, I know it’s a special day for you to. You can feel this too, right? This is the feeling to help find our mate. She’s there, somewhere. We will find her. But you need to see this feeling as a ‘help’, not as a ‘burden’. If you accept that the feeling will be there until we find her, the pain will fade. Please, Ace. Let me in. Talk to me...*

I know he can hear me. I just need to continue. I forget about the crowd, watching me. I’m only focussing on my inner self, right now. Then I hear his voice.

*I’m here, Adam.*

Thank Goodness!

---

-Avery POV-

I’m watching the inner struggle of Adam. I’ve heard of this before, but didn’t experience it myself. Some wolves, with great connection to all the senses, have troubles adjusting to the new feelings; the feelings which starts to develop at the age of 16. There are even stories of young wolves, who search around the world: anxious to find their mate. They’re lost in the restless feeling and couldn’t adjust to it to take control. It’s sad. Adam needs to help Ace, getting control. Otherwise his wolf is lost in this feeling forever.

I look at Adam and see a little relief on his face. Hopefully that’s a good sign. Maybe he was able to make contact to Ace. I hope so!

Adam’s eyes start to lit. When they do, they’re the brightest green I’ve ever seen! I notice some of the people around me are a bit shocked, to see this for the first time. And then his aura starts to burst. It starts slow, with a small golden and warm circle around his body. But soon, his aura grows. People around me are reacting to his aura. They look down or step backwards, admitting to the stronger wolf in front of them.

Because of being his Luna, I’m not affected by his aura. But even I can tell it’s strong. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen his aura this big; accept the time in my office when he was furious at me. I had to admit to him, then. But this is different, this aura is big, powerful and strong. It’s a grown up aura. More controlled then when he’s angry.

He’s close to shifting, I can tell. We hear bones cracking and clothes tearing apart. His golden aura is bursting as hell, and not many adult wolves are standing at the place when Adam started his shift. Some of the wolves already shifted, not be able to control their wolves. It’s OK. They can’t help it. It’s their nature, the wolf-instinct to react on an Alpha aura.

When I look at Adam, I feel proud. He’s my son, he has grown to a wonderful and amazing young man. I know our pack will be safe in his lead, one day.

“AAAAAARRRGHH!” I hear a frustrated yell from Adam. I think he’s in pain. Ace isn’t making this easy on him, this time. Then I saw it. Realizing it’s not only Ace.

Adam is trying to shift in his wolf, but his other beast are shifting as well! Oh no, this is not good. This is really NOT good!

“Adam! Focus on Ace. Don’t let the others come to the surface. You will not survive!”

The crowd is staring at me, and I hear them whisper: “The others? What is she talking about?” I try to ignore the voices.

Adam looks at me, strangely calm, and says: “Don’t worry mom. I can handle this. I need to to this.”

And with a last cry, he shifts. The sight takes my breath away.