Growing Up With My Mate

16. Shift PT.2

Harris POV

           My wolf has been agitated for most of the afternoon, which is the reason why I suggested this run in the first place.  I don’t know what’s going on with him, maybe because it’s a full moon tonight.  As I’m getting undressed, I take a quick glance over at Brighton.  She’s sitting on a bed of clovers with her friend Anna.  I could tell she still wasn’t 100% but she does seem better than the state I found her in yesterday.  Maybe it was the alpha in me, but ever since I met Brighton, I’ve always wanted to make sure she was protected and happy.  I still remember the first week of school when she lied about eating lunches.  I was so pissed off at her for lying to me, at her situation to which she doesn’t have any control over.  I even bought her some new shoes when she fell one time during training.  While on my back I noticed her shoes and it just made me sad that wouldn’t tell me about it.  She’s too stubborn. 

My thoughts are jarred when Clara basically jumps right next to me to undress herself.  I used to find her tactics sexy and yea, I’ve indulged her a time or two, but lately it just looks slutty to me, which only furthers my annoyance.  As soon as I am done, I transform quickly and jump away from her.  Even my wolf seems annoyed by her.  I wait for the guys and head on out.  There’s a feeling on the back of my neck, as if something is crawling on it, but I’m not sure what it’s about.  I should probably talk to my dad because it’s been happening all week.  Maybe I should shift more than what I have been doing.

Right before we reach the woods, I hear yelling.  I swivel my head back towards the pack house. “Brighton!  Someone help!”  Brighton!?  With that, I run as fast as I ever had.  What could’ve happened?  She was just fine.  I come to an abrupt halt at the patch of clovers to a convulsing Brighton.  She’s deathly pale and has sweat all over her.  When she looks up at me, I can see that she’s terrified and hurting.  I look on her legs and hands and her bones are twitching erratically. 

No, it’s too soon.  Her birthday isn’t for another few months.

 Dad. I need you by the training grounds now!  Mom, bring a robe and some water quickly!

Not even 10 seconds later my dad bursts through the house doors in his wolf form.  Not clarifying anything, he probably thought we were under attack.  I look back down at Brighton, it seems like she’s trying to shift but her wolf isn’t present yet.  I try nuzzling her face for comfort but nothing works.  What’s going on son? My dad asks concerned.  Dad look, its Brighton,.  Her body is trying to shift but she doesn’t turn 16 for a couple of months! I don’t know what to do.  She’s in pain!  I know I’m freaking out but I don’t know how to help her.  With that my dad takes a step forward.  You can feel the rush of power exuding from him.  Everyone around him bows, human and wolf form alike.  Including me.  Brighton’s teeth are chattering so loudly, I wish I could take her pain away.  My shift took about thirty seconds tops and that was painful enough.  She's been at it for over 2 minutes.  My dad stands over her and staring into her eyes, demanding they open when they close from the pain.  Another wave of power hits, probably trying to get her to comply to her alpha. 

Then it really starts.  Her claws come out.  Her clothes begin to tear and rip apart with her body elongating.  And before everyone’s eyes, she’s the first wolf (that I have ever heard of) to transform so young.  And she’s gorgeous.  She’s the deep shade of chocolate brown that she wanted to be.  She had striking green eyes, looking scared, but beautiful nonetheless.  Her soft fur is bristling in the wind as she tries to stand on all fours, extremely wobbly.  Brigh? Are you okay?  She looks up quickly, shaking her head, not understanding how she could mindlink.  It breaks my heart to know how scared she is.  As alphas, we can feel the pain of our group, so my dad and I can feel her fear.  My dad chimes in “Brighton, are you okay?” She looks to my dad, and shakes her head.  “W-what’s happening?  It-it’s too s-soon,” she barely says…. She begins to sway on her paws. “Brighton!”  After that, she collapses on the ground, back into human form on the bed of clovers. 

           My dad shifts back to human form and begins to order everyone home. I can’t help but stare at my friend lying on the floor.  Her tanned skin looks so smooth and her hair is completely in disarray around her face.  I always knew she was pretty, but right now, I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman.   My friends who are still in wolf form begin to approach.  Knowing how she feels about others prying eyes, especially knowing how pure she wants to keep herself, I growl, letting them know to back off.  I lay down next to her, hopefully shielding her form from others sight. 

“Harris, baby…” I didn’t realize my mom was there.  She has the robe in her hand and the water.  Undoubtedly, she witnessed the whole thing.  I let her come to Brighton and transform back to my human self.  My dad walks up to me with a pair of pants. 

“Dad what happened?”

“I don’t know son… We’ll take her to the house and let her rest for a little bit.  I’ve already informed her parents and they’re on their way.”

“I’ve never heard of anything like this, have you?”

“No.  But you know in our world, there’s no such thing as impossible.  I’ll alert the council tomorrow after she’s woken up and we talk with her.  She exerted a lot of energy tonight without preparing for it.”

Once mom has a robe on her, my dad scoots her up and we walk back to the house.  “Dad, take her to my room.  I’ll sleep in a guest suite.  She’ll be more scared if she wakes up in a room and not know where she’s at.”  My dad nods and quickly asks, “And how does she know what your room looks like son?”

Shaking my head and smiling, “You know it’s not like that.”  My mom pats my shoulder as we usher her to my room.  Once he laid her in my bed, I take the extra blanket and tuck her in.  My parents leave and I gather some clothes for tonight.  As I’m about to leave, Brighton turns over to her side, her robe half comes undone and I can see the globes of her breasts.  Swallowing a gulp, I move closer and squat down to, um, adjust her.  When I close it, I pull the blanket higher just in case it happens again.  Looking at her face while she’s sleeping, she looks so much better than she did an hour ago.  Her long lashes graze her pinkened cheeks.  Her full lips are barely open while she breathes out.  I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear as I stand up.  Tuning around, I see my mom in the doorway with a Cheshire grin on.

“What?”

“Oh nothing… she sleeping okay?”

“Yea, I bet she’ll be out for a while.” 

“Good, good.  Her parents are downstairs- they will probably stay the night.  You want to introduce yourself….. since, you know… you basically groped their daughter?”

“Mom!”