Transition - Beta's Omega

( 6 )

( Decker )

Once I was alone in the cellar, the anxiety kicked in. Seff had told me how awful it had been during his transition and although I didn’t consider myself weak or a baby, I was terrified to go through that kind of pain. Of course, I had been told plenty of times that it varied per person, but that thought wasn’t helping me much, not right now. My parents had just left and on top of that, I was worried about Kayley being up there all by herself. Ok, she wasn’t alone but still. I already knew how awkward she was in a crowd. Although, she had done just fine earlier. I was also aware that Seff may not be here. That he may not keep his promise about running with me once I had transitioned. Robin sure had messed up things once again. I wouldn’t consider her the pack’s troublemaker, just that she acted out more than others. I shook my head to clear my rambling thoughts and sat down. Seff had explained that he hadn't been able to start his transition because his mindset hadn't been in the right place. Well, my mind was as calm as the roaring sea during a storm. It wouldn’t shut off and I had no idea how long I sat there with my thoughts. It wasn’t until a sudden sharp pain rushed through my entire body that I realized it was time. I guess things were different for everyone. I didn’t have much time to react to the first pain as another shot through me so hard that I was gasping for air.

“I’m dying!” I screamed out as I rolled onto my side and then onto my back as the pain continued to rush through my body that felt as though I was being trampled on by a herd of elephants. The attempt at a joke was futile as I withered in agony. Everything hurt. Even my mind hurt and who knew that could even be a thing. I was barely aware of how my body was breaking to adjust as the darkness licked around my eyes. I didn’t want to be that one that passed out, but I wasn’t sure how to stay conscious.

(( ))

“Decker?” if I could've frowned, I would have. “Decker, are you awake?”

“Huh?”

“Decker!” the voice sounded oddly the same as mine but wasn’t. Again, if I could've frowned, I would have.

“What the hell?”

“It’s me, Decker! Your wolf!” that got my attention and that was when I realized I was awake. I was just not in human form, and I wasn’t in control. The feeling was overwhelming and weird.

“Hey, wolf!” I greeted, excitedly. Then I paused as another realization hit me. I had passed out. I had missed out on my transition. This thought not only made me feel embarrassed but disappointed.

“Don’t worry, next time we shift, you’ll be conscious,” my wolf teased and again, if I could have, I would've rolled my eyes. Even though – in all honesty – it did feel like I was rolling my eyes.

“So, wolf…what is your name huh?” I asked instead as I got used to seeing the cellar through my wolf’s eyes.

“Duke,” he said proudly, and I smiled.

“Very nice! Duke!”

“Can we go now?” he then asked as he looked up at the stairs. It was so weird.

“Ready to run!” I screamed out, in hopes of connecting with someone on the other side of that door. Duke chuckled as he slowly headed up the stairs.

“Do you think that worked?” he asked but I had a feeling that it hadn't.

“Let me try again,” I said as I concentrated on my mom. “Ready to run!” this time I knew it had worked because seconds later my mom’s voice echoed through my mind.

“Decker?!”

“Yeah, it's me,” I was expecting her to answer but the door suddenly flew open, and there she was.

“Oh, honey! Reed! Look!” my dad came into view, and he was smiling so proudly.

“Well done son,” the moved out of the way as Duke exited and headed straight for the open door. I was living in the moment as I saw the faces of some of the members. I even managed to spot Kayley.

“MATE!” Duke yelled out so loudly that it felt as though my ears were ringing. He had said it, but there were too many people around for either of us to figure out who it was exactly.

“Look, there is Seff!” I exclaimed in both excitement and relief.

“Hey man, you look great!” Seff’s voice entered my mind and I smiled. “Let’s run,” he said and before Duke could take off, he glanced behind him, and I was relieved to see that my parents had shifted too. We followed behind Seff as he took off and it was exhilarating. There was no other word to describe it. It was thrilling. It was wonderful. It was amazing. It was everything I had expected it to be and more! I could feel the way Duke’s paws hit the ground and I could feel the breeze that caressed his fur, and I could hear and smell like never before. Seff pushed us further and harder but neither Duke nor I cared about how far we ran. I was aware that my parents had returned home, and I would never forget running with them for the first time. I was, I am, on cloud nine. This was such an amazing experience that I didn’t want it to end. However, Duke soon fell behind as he grew tired and I understood that, even though I was disappointed. Seff must have realized we were no longer right behind him, and I saw him stop.

“Tired,” I muttered, and I heard Seff’s short laugh.

“Yeah, it can be! Come on, let’s take it slow,” I was relieved when he said we could take it slow and the ‘run’ back home was more like a lazy walk with Seff and I conversing through mind-link. He had been right about that; it was pretty impressive. I asked him some questions and I suppose I should have brought up the fact that Duke had sensed my mate back at the packhouse, but I was too afraid to even think about that right now. I may have spotted Kayley but quite a few people had been hanging around. by the time we got back to the packhouse, it was dark, and no one was around. Seff led me into the changing shed, and I watched as he shifted with ease back into his human form. Both Duke and I were exhausted, and I had no idea how to shift back. I didn’t have to worry though, as Duke started the shift and it felt natural and only slightly painful. It was over so quickly that I was left standing stark naked in shock.

“Woah,” I mumbled as I looked down at myself. “Wolf!” I managed to say as I looked over at Seff – who was also still naked. “What the hell man?” I asked as I cupped myself while Seff laughed.

“Shower,” he said as he pointed at the stalls against the wall. Of course, I knew about them but for some reason, I had forgotten about them. Seff headed into one, closing the curtain behind him so I quickly followed and went into the one next to his. The warm water did quick work in relaxing my muscles, but I knew I was going to be sore the next day. After the shower, I was glad that Seff was still around when he handed me a towel and a pair of sweatpants.

“Thanks,”

“No worries, I’m going to bed. Get some rest, man,” he said with a smile, and I nodded as I wrapped the towel around my waist.

“Thanks again,” I watched as he left, and I quickly dried my body and slipped on the pants before I headed for home. Luckily, it wasn’t far because my eyes were drooping, and I needed my bed rather desperately.

“Hey honey,” my mom greeted as she opened the door. “You look so tired,”

“I am,”

“You aren't hungry?” it was as though her words had awoken something in me and the exhaustion slipped away and was replaced with hunger. “I thought so, I made your favorite,” she said as she led me through to the kitchen. The smell alone had my mouth watering and my dad smiled at me when I entered the room.

“How was it?” he asked from his spot at the head of the kitchen table, and I smiled lazily as I sat down across from him.

"It was everything," I said as I watched my mother pull out the pot roast from the oven. The smell of that beef hit me hard, and I groaned out as licked my lips. “Don’t bother with a plate,”

“Decker Kenway! Just because you shifted for the first time does not make us animals,” she scolded. My dad laughed as he waved my mom over to the table.

“Reed Kenway! You will both eat from a plate!” my mom screeched as she placed the pot down on the table. I reached out to steal one of the succulent-looking potatoes, but her hand whizzed so fast that I was left with the harsh sting.

“OW!”

“Serves you right, hands-off, young man,” she said as she turned away to grab plates, cutlery, and the carving knife – which she handed over to my father. The beef was so well cooked that it fell to pieces as my mom scooped out the potatoes. I spotted a juicy piece of fat and I glanced up at my mom, silently begging for that specific piece. Normally my dad would get the good bits, but I could only hope that I would be favored since it is my birthday. Was my birthday since I was fairly sure it was past midnight. I was rewarded with that piece, and I smiled contemptuously at my dad, who rolled his eyes. Once my mom had finished dishing up the beef and potatoes, she added coleslaw and slices of avocado. Weird combinations but I loved it. I told them all about my run with Seff while we ate and even though I didn’t want to admit that I had passed out during my transition, I knew I couldn’t lie about it.

“Same thing happened to me,” my dad confessed, and I looked at him in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yeah, although I didn’t even get as far as you did, to be honest,”

“Woah, seriously dad?”

“Seriously. I was so sick throughout the day; it was crazy, and your gramps kept telling me to relax. By the time that first shot of pain passed through me, I was out like a light,” he chuckled but I could see that it was something that we shared. That disappointment and embarrassment.

“Well, I am personally jealous of the both of you. I was awake from start to finish, and it was horrible,” I knew my mom was trying to lighten the mood, but she was lying. Yes, it was painful and horrible and all of that, but it was special. We all knew that. I decided to do right by my parents and inform them that my mate had been outside tonight.

“Duke picked up on my mate when we got outside of the house,” both of them gasped in delighted surprise.

“Who is it?” my mom asked but I sadly shook my head.

“We don’t know, there were too many people for him to pinpoint who it was,”

“Oh honey, well, since she or he is in the pack, I don’t think it will take long for you to meet him or her,” she was right, I knew that, but I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t want to feel like I was doing something wrong when it came to Kayley.