The white werecat

Chapter 13 shifting hurts

Hope’s P.O.V

  When Shelly and I got outside I was so overwhelmed, there were so many people here, more than the first time I got here. I felt even more nervous now because it was just like the other times I tried to shift at my old packs dn nothing happened, would it be like that all over again. Roman stood on a makeshift stage, but as soon as he saw me he walked off the stage smiling. He walked right over to me and leaned down, kissing my cheek.

  “You look beautiful. Are you ready? Remember I’m right here and I’ll help you during your shift.” Roman said and I nodded, but my nerves were going haywire at the thought of this. Roman took me by the hand, leading me to the stage and my heart was going a mile a minute at the memories of all the other times. It will happen just like before, first I’ll try to shift and nothing will happen, they will all laugh at me and then it will get bad again. I will be abused all over again, I will suffer all over again and my life will be made a living hell. Again. This is like my own personal living hell, but it's like it's on a loop cycle for me to relive over and over again. No, I can't do this, I won't do it. What about Roman, will he turn out like Alpha Cole did? Would he try to hurt me like Alpha Cole did if I can't shift?

  “Hope, you need to calm your heart down, we are going to be fine, but you need to calm down.” Rachel said, mind-linking me and it was easy for her to say, she wasn't here the first, second and third time I tried this.

  “I’m just really nervous, I’m trying to calm down, but what happens if you're not ready? Then what? They are all going to laugh at me and it will be just like before, I will become the slave of the pack and be abused all over again. I can't do it, I can't go through that again.” I replied, starting to get more anxious. My hands were sweating and Roman kept looking back at me, smiling and trying to reassure me.

  “Hope, trust me. We can do this and I am more than ready to come out. Have faith, we will get through this together, you’re not alone anymore.” Rachel said and that made me feel a little calmer, but then we got up on stage and everyone turned to look at Roman and I.

  “My family, we are gathered here today to welcome a new member to our pack. She is your future Luna and her name is Hope. she is here to do her first shift, so please welcome her with open arms.” Roman said, announcing it to the huge crowd. I was so nervous and the whole crowd looking at me expectantly really wasn't helping, this was just like before, this was just like all the other times and it was going to happen all over again. I held onto Roman’s hand and I felt really dizzy, my insides felt like they were on fire, but I tried to act normal, like nothing was wrong with me. I was doing well and no one noticed, until suddenly my legs started cracking and then they broke, making me fall to the ground. Roman hurried to me as I was trying my best not to scream and Rachel was trying to hurry, but it just slowed it down a little because both of us were new to the shifting part.

  “AHHHHH!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!” I screamed out in pain as my legs twisted and contorted, shifting into their new position.

  “AHHHH!!!” I screamed out again as my arms broke and shifted into their place. I closed my eyes and prayed to the Moon Goddess for this to be over soon, but then my spine snapped and twisted as it grew and took its shape. My skin felt like it was on fire and my insides felt like they were being burned with hot lava as my organs shifted around and repositioned themselves for my new shape. I could feel everything that was happening in my body and l could feel as little hairs started to sprout through my skin, creating my furry coat. I collapsed on the floor when the shift was finally over and I could hear the crowd gasping, but I still kept my eyes closed. Did I look deformed? Was I ugly or something? What do I look like? I thought and decided to brave it by opening my eyes. I looked down and saw huge pure white paws. What the hell, am I a ghost or something? This isn't right, this can't be right, what the hell has happened to me? I thought and looked up, trying to get my eyesight to focus properly.  Roman came and stood next to me, looking into my eyes and he couldn't stop smiling. Was he going to laugh at me? Was I really that ugly?

  “Hope, you look beautiful. You're a white tiger, honey. You are the purest of them all.” Roman whispered, but I had no idea what that meant. 

  “I’m a what?” I said to myself and Rachel started giggling in my head.

  “Girl, we are a white tiger, we are the purest of them all. It all makes sense now as to why you couldn't shift before, the Moon Goddess has made you something very special and it took her time to make you like that. You're a white tiger and there has only ever been one in every ten thousand years. Do you know what that means?” Rachel asked, excitedly.

  “No, what does it mean?” I asked and she started giggling again.

  “Hope, it means that you are the Queen. You are the Queen of all the werecats, darling.” Rachel replied and I sat there in shock.