Her One and Only

Transformation

I hear the gentle alarm begin in the midst of a dream. It’s so annoying when that happens, right at the turning point.

I contemplate ignoring it, but just as I try to doze back off…

My door bursts open.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

It is too early for this volume.

I shrug her off, turn my alarm off, and cozy up under the blankets. Most wolf packs recognize eighteen-year-olds as adults, but our pack doesn’t mature until twenty-one. No one really protests it. It’s a few extra years we don’t have to be in Pack Protection--and we get to “party” a little harder in celebration.

“Miya, it is far too early for you to be in this room,” I huff.

“Girl, it’s your twenty first! We’ve been waiting months to party together, get your hiney up!” she argues.

“Babe. Listen. I am just as excited as you are, but my body does not care what day it is.”

Just as the words leave my lips I feel a massive rumble in my chest.

Is that..my wolf?

“Well, regardless of how your body feels, Ny… It’s noon.”

This sends me flying back into reality.

Noon?! How did I sleep that late?

I fling myself out of bed and run to the bathroom to start getting ready. Miya laughs and flops down on my bed, clearly awaiting me to join her in our journey to get breakfast.

Well, lunch.

I squeeze myself into some flared jeans, a grey crop top, and a red/black flannel.

I walk out whilst putting my ratty hair in a bun and toss a brush at Miya.

“Ya hair is a straight mess, girly.”

“Hey,” she scoffs, “It’s not my birthday. I can look as raggedy as I want.” She gives a hair flip.

After a nearly-lethal dose of sass, we head down stairs. We’re greeted by my unfortunately massive family and their idea of a birthday surprise.

I should add that I always know what they’re planning before they have a chance to do it, but I never tell them.

“Surprise! Happy Birthday Nyght Tsuki!” they all say in unison.

I have four brothers, two sisters, my dad, and two moms. My parents are polyamorous and have been since before I was born. They never told me who gave birth to me and honestly, I couldn’t care less. I love both moms more than life itself.

“Thank you all, you’re the most wonderful family I could ever ask for,” I gush, fighting bittersweet tears. I get a hug from each member of my family, and they all part ways with the exception of my parents.

Our pack is the only one in wolf kind that has two lunas. Some have tried, but my dad is the only alpha who threw caution to the wind, married the women he loved. No one in the pack second guessed it, either. Everyone loves my moms. They’re fearsome lunas and keep my dad in check when they need to.

I was lucky to be raised by such strong women.

They’re so beautiful, too. I totally get why my dad loves them so much.

My dad was born and raised mostly in Japan, hence our last name “Tsuki” (moon in Japanese). He led our pack slowly to North America over the years where they set up a permanent residence in the forests of Washington State. I grew up here, as did my younger siblings. My brother Aries, the oldest of us, was born in Japan.

My dad sets down a cake on the counter and sighs

“You weren’t supposed to grow up this fast, Ny,” he chuckles, “Your first birthday was just yesterday.”

I laugh. “More like 20 years ago, dad. Besides, I’m not that grown up. You’d be a fool to think I won't be having that whole cake for breakfast!” I snatch a bite while he smiles in my direction.

“Oh I’d assume nothing less from my oldest girl,” he snickers.

My dad and I have always been close. Honestly, my whole family is pretty tight-knit. My brother Aries and I are best friends. My younger brothers are a little rambunctious for me, but I love them none-the-less.

With that, my dad leaves me to my moms.

“So, Ny, any boys have your eye?” my mom, Alanis, teases.

“Not really, I guess,” I say with a mouth full of cake. Since our pack matures a bit later, our young wolves tend to be way more hormonal and territorial over their mates. I guess I’m a late bloomer--I’ve never even had a crush on a boy. My other mom, Mariana, was always a little concerned about my lack-of-boy-obsession, but no one seemed to care too much.

Miya on the other hand…

“You’re kidding! You still don’t have your heart set on a single man? I can think of at LEAST three who would die to mate you,” she whined.

Miya has always been kind of a hopeless romantic--emphasis on the hopeless. She’s had boyfriends on boyfriends and no one can blame her. She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Her most recent member of the Miya fan club is no other than Braden Willis: the potential beta of our pack, and Aries’ best friend.

Miya has an electric charm about her that drives men mad. Everyone thought Braden and I would end up together, but there’s no chance in Valhalla I’d get myself into that.

I finish up my unreasonable share of cake and head back up to the pack house with Miya.

“So, do you really have no interests...or was that a ploy to get out of your moms’ clutches?” she giggles.

I bump our shoulders together in protest. “You know I tell my moms everything. It wasn’t a ploy, I just really have no interest in boys...even now.”

With that, we head up to my bedroom to plan out the rest of the day. The oldest daughter of the alpha always has a huge coming-of-age party. My brother had a massive party last year, but that’s what you’d expect from the most popular guy in the pack.

Orion has always been a stand-up guy. I secretly always hoped it’d be him and Miya who’d end up together, but that was disproven when she turned 21.

“We should curl your hair. Oooh, and you can wear that little black dress your parents got you for your brother's party!” Miya squeals.

“You mean the one I didn't wear? Babe, that wouldn’t fit me if I hadn’t just downed a whole cake!” I laugh.

“Come on, Ny! You only turn 21 once. Just try it on! Please...?” she says, giving me puppy dog eyes.

“Gods, no wonder no man can tell you ‘No,’” I chuckle. “Fine, I’ll try it on.”

Before the words even leave my lips, Miya bounds across the room to find said dress.

“Here it is! Get naked!”

“Woah now, at least take me out to dinner first!” We collectively giggle, before I snag the dress and head to my bathroom to try it on.

And...it fits?? I look in-cred-i-ble. I have never seen my ass look so good. The plunging neckline makes my chest look perky, the past summer left me with such a nice golden glow…

I’ll admit it. I’d mate myself.

I dust off any lint and emerge, showing Miya the dress in all of its glory.

“Oh. My. Gods! Ny, you have to wear it. I have never seen you like this!”

I blush. She’s totally right, I look amazing. I look at myself in the mirror one more time.

“Fine, but I’m wearing Converse,” I smirk.

“You are incorrigible,” she replies, shaking her head.

A few hours pass, and it’s time to actually get ready. We decide to do our makeup separately, and then do our hair together. I go for something more neutral: dark browns, and a pop of yellow on my lids. I have a single streak of yellow in my black hair, so I figure it ties everything together.

I finish before Miya does, so I start contemplating what to do with my mess of hair.

I play with it for a while before I decide to listen to Miya and do a simple curl with it. My hair is naturally pin straight, so it’s a nice change. It's material is silky, and tight to the skin. It has a plunging neckline that ends at the bottom of my sternum. The sleeves long and bell shaped with a cold shoulder design, and the skirt portion is made of lace and satin with a long slit starting at my hip. The lace is sheer-ish so the satin lays on top of it to cover all of Victoria's Secrets.

It’s just gorgeous.

I look up at myself in the mirror and take it all in. I look like an alt model. I have a few facial piercings, self-given unfortunately (wolves can't just go to piercing shops), and I just can’t help but feel like myself.

Just as I’m putting on my new white Converse, Miya walks in.

“Yay! You’re ready!” she exclaims.

“I thought you wanted us to do our hair together?” I ask.

“I did, but then I looked at the time and realized you would probably be done soon, so I rushed everything together. Looks like I was right!” she chuckles. “You look amazing, Ny. I can tell you feel just as great.” She gives me a heart-melting smile, and we hug.

“I’m so grateful for you, Miya, thank you for spending my birthday with me.”

______________

I hear my dad calling everyone’s attention in the other room and make my way over.

“Everyone. Listen up, please. Steven, that means you too,” he singles out a rather rambunctious pack member.

“Tonight we celebrate my oldest daughter’s coming-of-age. My beautiful Nyght is now 21 years old--and tonight she will experience her first transformation!”

This is followed by a massive cheer. Gods, I was so busy worrying about what to wear I forgot about my first transformation. Is that going to ruin my dress?

“As you all know, this birthday means she is now eligible for mating. Boys, watch your backs. Her brothers are almost as protective as I am.”

In perfect time, Aries comes up behind me and places his hand on my shoulder.

“With all of that being said, Nyght, my beautiful pup, Happy Birthday. You are so loved by your family, and your pack. May we all make this night a true wonder for you.”

I feel my eyes water a bit, and suddenly the music bursts back and the party continues. I turn to my brother.

“Happy Birthday, Ny. Can I steal you for a minute?” he asks. I nod, and we head outside. The moon is high above us, and the stars are shimmering brightly.

“Have you found your mate yet?” he questions.

“No, I don’t have any interest in finding them either,” I say bluntly. I really don’t. Mating is such a strange custom in wolf culture. Humans have it so much easier.

“You don’t? But don’t you want to be a luna? Or a wife? Or at least find love?”

I sit with his words for a moment, frustrated. I do want those things. I just don’t want them now. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get that mess over with...but I’m so happy with my life and where I am. The last thing I need is a man trying to carry me away to another pack.

Or worse--carrying me to his bed.

Aries seems satisfied with his words “Let’s get back to your party, I’ll buy you a few shots to do with Miya and your gang.” We head back inside.

Miya and I down a few drinks before we get back on the dance floor. The whole party is forced to listen to my playlist, but I thankfully have an impeccable taste in music. Miya and I are in the middle of dancing when I feel a strange rumble in my chest again.

It’s my wolf, and she’s pissed about something.

I pull Miya to me and tell her I need some air and to keep going without me.

I push my way through the crowded hall and get to the bathroom connected to the dance hall. Just as I’m staring myself in the mirror, Kelsi walks in.

“Hey birthday girl,” she sneers.

“Oh boy! The gift I didn’t ask for has arrived.”

“Oh shut up, I’m not going to torment you on the day you have the most power. I’m not stupid. Your brother on the other hand...quite the nice toy.”

“Leave him out of your petty s**t, Kelsi.” I could see the expression on her face change as my words slapped her across the cheek.

“Watch your tone, princess. I have more power than you know.”

Who does she think she is? She’s the beta’s second daughter. I am the alpha’s oldest daughter! I outrank her TWICE.

She walks out and I take a deep breath. She has absolutely no power over me anymore, and I am not letting her obnoxious little feud with me ruin my twenty-first birthday.

As 3 AM draws closer, murmurs about my first transformation begin. Some have told me it’s a painful and excruciating process, others have told me it’s almost orgasmic. I can feel my wolf getting more and more impatient with every minute.

At 2:55, my father calls us all together.

“In mere minutes, my little girl will be a full-grown wolf. You are all invited to watch this beautiful process through our glass patio, but we ask you to remain inside. I’m sure you all remember how irrationally you behaved during your first transformation.”

The crowd breaks out into murmurs.

“Silence, please. I’m sure you're overcome with fine memories, but the time is drawing near. Nyght, please join me and your mothers in the pack gardens.”

With that, the crowd disperses and I am escorted to the garden.

The very second I step outside, I feel the moon on my skin, and I feel my wolf within.

She is pacing, ready to feel freedom.

I stand in the Circle, and relax. My parents stand at a safe distance and watch closely. The first transformation is the most powerful one, right next to the transformation after you find your mate. It can so easily get out of hand.

Just as the clock strikes three, I feel it. I feel her begin to claw her way out. Suddenly I understand why everyone has said such mixed things about turning--there was no one feeling.

I can feel her claws scraping at my chest, painful, while at the same time I feel like everything in the universe is aligning. It feels like back in high school when I would crack my back on the desks: utter relief. But it also hurts. It hurts more than anything I’d ever felt.

But it doesn’t matter. She’s coming out.

------------------------------------

I wake up on the Circle. I have a few bumps and scrapes but thankfully nothing serious. I look down to see if I was naked, and I’m not… but I don’t remember putting a white gown on.

Whatever, I’ll ask the pack healer when I see her.

I stand up slowly and make my way to my room. I reach the stairs--when I stop dead in my tracks.

It’s Alex. Kelsi’s boyfriend.

What does he want from me?

“Mine,” he growls.

Excuse me? This cannot be happening.

“Uh...what??”

I am not his mate, it’s Kelsi! Not me!

“You. Are. Mine.” This time he says it louder. I see other pack members turn towards us and the whispers start.

“I heard you the first time. Come with me,” I demand. He follows obediently, but I can tell he doesn’t want to be away from prying eyes.

I drag him to my room and close the door.

“This is nonsense. You and Kelsi are mates.”

He sighs. “No, we’re not. I’ve been in love with you since we were kids. It’s always been you.” No f*cking way he thinks I’m falling for this sh*t.

“So what, you always knew? And I was just blissfully unaware?”

I feel my wolf pacing angrily. Is this how it’s supposed to feel?

“Look, I’m having a hard time swallowing this, Alex. Leave. Come back later when I’ve had a chance to sort out everything from last night.”

He stares blankly at me as I speak. I didn’t realize how green his eyes were before--I swear they were brown.

“I said ‘leave.’”

This time he listens and hesitantly walks out the door. I immediately call Miya.

“Mi...we have a situation,” I say.

“What’s going on? Why are you awake? You should be exhausted!”

I was. I am. I did not want to deal with this today.

“Alex is my mate.”

I can feel her tension when the words come through the phone.

“Him??? He’s the worst! And what about Kelsi? She hated you before, you've made an enemy for life now,” she says.

“Gods, don’t get me started. I saw her in the bathroom last night, she was so rude for no reason. She threatened Aries.”

I feel Miya start to boil. “If she so much as touches that boy, I’ll kill her dead,” she yells.

“You’ll have to beat me to it. Anyways, I’m gonna take a nap and hopefully forget about this for a few hours. Keep an eye on things for me. Love you.”

“Love you too, hun.” I hang up and lay down.

This is why I stayed away from men. More work than they’re worth.

✨🌙☀️✨