Growing Up With My Mate

11. Harrison's First Shift

It’s Sunday night, the first full moon after Harrison’s 16th birthday.  Most families save this type of event as a private matter with certain friends or family in attendance, but being the alpha's son, the whole pack was invited to witness their new alpha come undone for the first time.  I don’t know how he does it, but I would be a nervous wreck. 

Both Dustin’s and my parents decide to car pool.  By the time we get there, there’s so many people walking around and socializing.  All I can see is a sea of heads.  We walk around and see a stage of sorts set up close to the pack house.  It’s a simple wooden platform with chairs on the sides.  In the middle is an altar with candles on it.  As we are walking, I feel my phone vibrate.

Harrison: So this is seriously happening right?

Me: Uh, yea.... you just now realizing this?

Harrison:  How many people are out there?

Looking around the front of the pack house, I can’t even see the altar anymore.

Me: Only about 5 people- you act like it’s a big deal or something ;)

Harrison: …. Great

I didn’t expect him to be so nervous, but I want to see him.  I show Dustin the texts and we both agree to go up to show some support.  Knowing that we’ll never get into the house through the front, we go through the back patio of the rec room and into the main foyer. 

You can hear a lot of hustle and bustle in the kitchen but there no one to be seen in the halls.  We quickly make our way up the stairs to the third floor.  It opens up into a lavish living room with white leather couches and a large tv.  Both Dustin and I look around but we don’t know which way to go.

Off to our left, Clara comes out of one of the doors.  I forgot that the beta and his family live up here too.  Great.

“Who gave you permission up here? Everyone is supposed to be outside!”  She’s adorning a short silk black robe.  I guess after Harrisons shift, the families are going to do a run together. 

“We were just looking for Harrison,” Dustin blandly states. 

“He doesn’t want to see anyone.  This is a crucial night for him and you would just be annoying him.  Now you and your little country bumpkin can take your asses out an-“

“Now what’s all this?” called a feminine voice.  We all swing our gazes towards the other hallway and there walking towards us in a long silver robe, is the pack luna. 

Dustin and I each bow our heads and say in unison “Luna”.  When I lift my gaze to her, she exudes radiance, and I hope to achieve that when I’m her age.

“Luna,” I start, “Sorry to intrude in your housing but Dustin and I are friends with Harris.  We just wanted to give him a quick congratulations before his debut because we might not get a chance after.”

She smiles at both of us.  “Well that seems all fine and well.  He has been testy with a few people tonight,” as she looks at Clara, “but it wouldn’t hurt to see if he’ll see you.  His room is the last door on the right down that hallway.”

She points in the direction she came from. “Come on Clara, we need to meet with your parents downstairs.” 

“Yes Luna.”

Before the head to the stairs, I quickly turn around and tap on the luna’s shoulder.  She turns around with a questioning look.  “And congratulations to you as well Luna.  I know my parents are looking forward to the day of my first shift and it’s as much of a celebration for the parents as well as the child his or herself.  You should be really proud of him.  He’s a really great friend.”

The luna smiles as her eyes water up.  Crap, I didn’t want to make her cry.  She puts a hand on my shoulder and I instantly feel warm as I smile back at her.  “Thank you, sweetheart.  That means a lot coming from one of his friends.  The event is about to start so go say hello quickly….. Brighton, wasn’t it?”

I nod as they make their way downstairs.  How does she know my name?  Dustin and I quickly go down the hall and knock on Harris’s door.  He pulls it open and his eyes bug out a little bit which causes me to giggle. 

“What are y’all doing here? Come in.” 

“Oh you know, seeing how the other half lives… crashing into the famous alphas home.  We should take some selfies and post them all over the internet, shouldn’t we Brighton?,” Dustin teases.

I take in his room.  Other than being extremely large, it seemed like a typical teenage boys’ room, dirty clothes on the floor and all. “Totally.”

And just to sell our joke, Dustin pulls out his phone and we all take a picture together.  Dustin sighs dramatically. “I’m going to be so popular by tomorrow.”

Harris laughs as I shake my head.  I turn to face him and he’s still in his clothes from the day.  “We just wanted to come by and see how you were.  And to be happy for you.  I know y’all probably have a family run tonight, so there won’t be time to talk much after the ceremony.”

“Thanks guys, I appreciate it.  I know I joke all the time about being future alpha, but ceremonies like this are a big deal, in front of the whole pack too… it’s just a lot to take in.”

“Oh please golden child.  Everyone loves you,” Dustin scoffs.

“He’s right…," I agree.  "Everyone’s just excited.  You can’t let anyone down because it’s just a shifting. You really don’t have to do anything except let your wolf take over,” I shrug.  “But we just wanted to tell you that you’ll be awesome and we’re happy for you.  Your mom said it’s about to start soon; we got to get back to our parents and we don’t want to keep you any longer than we should."  

“You met my mom?” he says more-so to me than Dustin, but he chimes in, “Yea, she’s really nice. And she got Clara off our backs.”

He goes to shake Harris’ hand. “Good luck man.”  I give him a quick hug, “Good luck” , and when I lean back he gives us a nod and small smile.  It’s all up to him now.

           We find our way to our parents and I can barely see the set up on the stage. We are in a corner of the crowd with the woods behind us.  I’m really bummed because I wanted to see Harris’s transformation.  But apparently so did the other 300 people.  The elders and other alphas from neighboring packs are on the stage.  All talks and murmurs lessen as the alpha, luna, beta, his wife, and Clara get on the stage.  I can only see the tops of people’s heads, but you can hear clearly the alphas introduction.

“My Opus Moon wolves.  Tonight, I am deeply proud to present my son on his 16th full moon.  He may be young, but he already possesses the qualities of a great alpha.  Tonight will be his first shift.  Tonight, he, along with my wife and I, will meet the wolf he is destined to be a part of!  Thank you for joining us on this great day!”  Howls and whistles light up the crowd.  I cheer right along with the pack. 

“Alrighty girl. Up you go,” Dustin whispers to me.  Before I know what’s going on, Dustin crouches and hauls my legs onto his shoulders.  It takes us a minute and stupid laughter for me to gain balance, but as soon as I’m situated, I can see the stage clear as day.  I grab onto his hand that holds my knee as a thank you. 

On stage, the alpha and luna have already shifted, and Harris is still in human form in the center of the altar.  He’s wearing a black cloth robe, holding modesty among the pack.  Both of his parents are black wolfs, except his mom has white paws and a streak going down her head.  His dad is twice the size of his mom, black fur with wisps of silver in his tail and head.  Harris no longer looks nervous as he looks to the moon.  All eyes are on him and you can only hear the crickets in the grass and the wind in the air.  The wind causes a chill in the muggy night air, sending goosebumps along my flesh.   You can smell grass and dirt all around.  I stare at the moon as well.

The full moon is in a cloudless sky, completely serene compared to the anticipation of the recipients down below.  I send a quick prayer to the goddess for Harris to feel no pain and for a successful shift.  The wind rustles around me and I look back to Harris.  His eyes have gone black, a sign of his wolf emerging.   His face pinches as if it’s in pain but he’s holding strong.  I can see all the bones on his body moving, and you can even hear the cracking from the distance that I’m at.  His arms raise slightly as the body extends on itself, fur replacing skin.  His legs haunch and not even 10 seconds later, a black wolf is on all fours on the stage, joining his parents.  He’s almost the size of his father, but compared to the two, he is a solid black wolf.  He looks around his surroundings and turn to his father.

They are sharing a mind link, discussing only they know what.  After a quiet beat, our alpha turns to the sky howling.  Harris joins in for the second howl.  Then, the whole pack, Dustin and myself included, howl to the moon for the approval of the new wolf added to our pack.  Cheers, whistles, and applause follow as the beta family shift as well, and the leaders of our pack go for a run.  On the horizon of the woods, the moonlight shines on the family, to show each of their silhouettes.  Harrison and his father are jumping around and nipping at each other. 

Dustin tugs on my hand and I realize that I have a lone tear down my face.  'Keep him safe goddess' I say to myself.  I wipe away my tear and quickly get off Dustin’s shoulder.  

“Was it everything you wanted it to be and more?” Dustin says as we head to the car.

 “It was everything it needed to be.”  I lightly punch him in the arm.  “Thanks for the lift up.  I don’t think it would have been the same experience if I didn’t get to see everything like I did.” 

He throws an arm around my shoulder.  “That will be us soon kid.  Then we can finally be what we were destined to be as pack mates.  And I expect you front row and center for my shift.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” 

“Oh I know….but unlike Harrison, I’m not ashamed of my body and gonna go full commando.”

I jump out from under his arm and put my hands over my ears.  “Nope no visuals for that!! Lallalalalala.”

He removes my hands and laughs along with me.  When we get to the car, I hear howling in the distance.  My heart flutters at the sound and I just know it’s Harrison.