The white werecat

Chapter 12 getting ready to shift

Shelly’s P.O.V

  I was nervous about waking Hope up, especially this early in the morning, but it had to be done. I gently shook her arm, trying not to scare her and she slowly blinked her eyes before suddenly she jumped up and held her arms over her face, screaming for her life. I took a few steps back until she had calmed down, but she was terrified of me. I tried my best to do it so that she wouldn't be scared, but it didn't work.  

  Hope’s P.O.V

  I felt myself being shaken awake and when I blinked a few times I had a flashback of a fist flying at my face and screamed out, quickly covering my face with my arms and trying to protect myself. It took me a while to realise that I wasnt back there, I wasn't in my old pack and they weren't trying to hurt me, it was Shelly. She had stepped back away from me until I had finally calmed down, but my heart was still beating really fast. It felt like it was going to come out of my chest, but I managed to keep it together.

  “I’m sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I should have asked Roman to wake you up, but he’s already downstairs in his office.” Shelly said, as I got out of bed.

  “It's okay, honestly it's fine. Before we do this I need to use the bathroom.” I replied and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I leaned back against the door, closing my eyes and trying to fight back the panic attack that was coming straight for me. I managed to calm my racing heart down, did my business and washed my hands before walking back out into the bedroom. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Shelly again, she had tons of stuff in her hands and I had no idea what any of it was for.

  “Come on, we got to get you ready for your first shift. It's a long process.” Shelly said, walking into the bathroom with me following behind her. She turned the water on in the bathtub and started pouring in milk and honey into the water.

  “Come on, the water is warm.” Shelly said and I nodded, taking my shorts and shirt off. I stepped into the tub and she was right the water was lovely and warm, but it still felt weird bathing in milk and honey. I could feel the milk and honey around me as I sat down and then Shelly put rose petals and lilies in the tub too. 

  “Okay, now you need to lay back so that I can wash your hair.” Shelly said and this felt ridiculous, but I did as she said. Suddenly I heard something crack and then something slimy drip down my hair.

  “What the hell is that?” I asked and when I turned around I saw that Shelly had cracked an egg and put it in my hair.

  “It's part of the ritual, we still need three more eggs.” Shelly replied, cracking the other three eggs on my head. I sat there for an hour, letting it sit and then Shelly washed it all out, but not with water like I expected, she used milk. This was a really strange ritual and I didn't think it could get any weirder, but then she put honey in my hair too. I had to sit there for another hour before Shelly washed that out too and I really hoped I was done, but something told me I wasn't anywhere near close to being done.

  Shelly’s P.O.V

  A few hours later, after being washed left right and centre I drained the water and took a white fluffy towel, wrapping it around Hope as she stood up from the bathtub. I couldn't help but look at all the scars and managed to keep the look of shock off my face, but there were so many. I really didn't want Hope to know that I had seen them, but I couldn't help wondering what the hell this girl went through to survive. I wanted to say something, but decided it was best not to. I took Hope back to the bedroom and sat her down in the chair, beginning to blow dry her hair and brushing it out.

  “So, what are you going to do to my hair?” Hope asked.

  “Well, you don't need to have it put up since you're going to be shifting, so I’m just going to lay it over your shoulders.” I replied and walked over to the closet. I took out a strapless white dress, took it off the hanger and then handed it to Hope.

  “Here, put this on and let's see how you look.” I said and Hope took the dress from me, putting it on. 

  Hope’s P.O.V

  “Not bad.” I said out loud, looking in the mirror.

  “Well, you don't need any shoes, but you do need to place these on, so that your feet won't get dirty before you shift.” Shelly said, snapping me out of my thoughts as she placed a pair of slippers on the floor in front of me. I slipped them on and sighed, but I was now finally ready.

  “Don't worry, you're all ready now, so let's go. Roman has been linking me to get you outside, everyone is ready.” Shelly said and she seemed really happy about that, but then I smiled nervously. 

  “Remember Hope, if you can't take the pain then let me come forward, I’ll take the pain away.” Rachel said, mind-linking me and it helped a little to know that she was there, but I was still really scared and nervous.

  “By the way, I really loved the milk bath, it really soothes the soul.” Rachel said, making me laugh and Shelly look at me confused.

  “Come on, it's time to get going or Roman is going to go nuts. He really wants to see you.” Shelly said and we both laughed at the thought of him going nuts. We walked out of the bedroom, down the stairs and straight outside. This was it, this was my time to shift, I just prayed that it didn't go as bad as last time.